Lakeshore Trail / Portion of Conecuh Trail South Loop

Hike: Conecuh Nat Forest Open Pond Lakeshore Trail + portion of South Loop, Fri., 3/19/2010, 15:00-17:30
Distance: 5 miles  Rating: 4/5
Difficulty: Moderate (due to negotiating around some flooded areas)

Conditions: Beautiful day. Mid to upper 60's maybe low 70's. Wind calm. Trail ok except near ponds - under water there!  Wore Merrill trail shoes but should have worn gore-tex hiking boots!  All pond levels high and surrounding areas wet to boggy.  Had to bushwhack around some of the deeper or more boggy areas.
Thoughts/Observations: 

Was to have been Expedition #18 but just Kathy & me.  Got a late start so hiked the Lakeshore Trail and out the South Conecuh Loop until had to turn around due to approaching darkness.  Many huge turtles warming themselves on logs in the numerous ponds.  Did not see any gators.  Numerous passarines.  Signs of armadillo everywhere.  Beautiful longleaf pine forest and Gulf Coastal Lowlands.  Thinking about "Life on Purpose" but found my mind wandering a lot (thus the 4/5 rating).  Guide my steps LORD.