Hi and welcome Hog Snapper! Another survivor from solo tripping heard from!! Although just how long this site will provide a refuge for any of us still remains an open question. But still and all, what in life is certain?
So Florida? Hmmm....I always had canoes in my head mixed up with fur trappers paddling to the nearest HBC trading post. Some where in there was Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald singing away. But then I bumped into Yellow Canoe reporting about tripping in Florida, very interesting but not for me. Got to carry your own water for the trip, and me trying to pare down ounces of gear so I look a little less like the Barnum and Baily Circus coming to town. If that wasn't enough you know they got these snakes? Somebody let them loose and they're eating up everything! If I had to canoe there I guess I'd get a sturdy seat belt for my canoe and hope together we presented a package too large to swallow. I hope I get all my important research questions answered before Y.C. gets eaten.
You talk about the changes once the hair becomes grey/white: I was in the bank the other day and a cute little teller was chatting with me in a most engaging manner. I began to feel maybe I wasn't quite so old as I had thought. In the course of our conversation she reached out and gave my hand a squeeze and said "You remind me so much of my grandfather." Ah well... other days and better times gone by.
Best Wishes, Rob