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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/16/2024
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I know I promised a long story but....a long story short:
Summer 2021 I quit my job and called it retirement since I could cash in on my pension.
Sold our home and moved the family to Florida.
Bought 5 acres in Rural Florida next to the Green Swamp
Spend my days now doing whatever I want, hiking, garden, beer, whatever.
So, that is why I have very few desert posts these days. Hopefully I will start making some trips back out west to visit.
Florida is definitely a different place.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Rocko1 Posts: 596
1/16/2024
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Some great pics Darren. Definitely different hiking compared to AB. Hopefully you have found some places to stretch your legs.
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Brian Posts: 225
1/16/2024
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Great pics and I wish you luck in your new home. If you (when you're in town) or Gary would ever like a hiking companion, I'd like to apply for the position.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
1/17/2024
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Shots are awesome Daren. How close did you get to those gators? I hope you can make it back out some time so we can meet up for a beer and/or a desert hike.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/18/2024
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surfponto wrote:
How close did you get to those gators?
As close as I want, alligators are everywhere here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aGxddC1lyA
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Britain Posts: 601
1/18/2024
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Why Florida? Fishing is good. Have some friends there.
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Cant drive 55
Britain
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
1/21/2024
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Damm that is close 😲
dsefcik wrote:
surfponto wrote:
How close did you get to those gators?
As close as I want, alligators are everywhere here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aGxddC1lyA
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/21/2024
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Britain wrote:
Why Florida?
Mostly family choice for various reasons. I went along with it for financial reasons. I can live here on a 1/3 of what is costs to live in CA. Almost all of my family and my wife's family have left CA...so there it is.
I so miss the desert and mountains but am finding some new interests here.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/21/2024
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surfponto wrote:
Damm that is close 😲
There are alligators in the retention ponds in the parking lot at Walmart, signs everywhere, different world here. No surprise to walk out to your car and find a gator underneath your car.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Britain Posts: 601
1/21/2024
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dsefcik wrote:
Britain wrote:
Why Florida?
Mostly family choice for various reasons. I went along with it for financial reasons. I can live here on a 1/3 of what is costs to live in CA. Almost all of my family and my wife's family have left CA...so there it is.
I so miss the desert and mountains but am finding some new interests here.
Makes sense. Lived in Florida in the early 70’s. Liked the life. I retired almost 10 years ago. Bought a house in El Centro, paid it off. Didn’t cost much so property value is low less taxes? Lot of cool stuff to do in Florida so it should keep you busy. Will though miss your hiking adventures with Tommy.
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Cant drive 55
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http://icorva.com
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
2/16/2024
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Well Daren, glad you were able to escape the grind! Can't say I don't miss you, though. Honestly have to say essentially everything I've learned in the past 10+ years about hiking/backpacking/the desert I owe to you. Thanks for the great memories and hoping you can make it out here again some time.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
3/10/2024
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Would be lieing if I said I didn't miss the desert and all of you...😢
Hopefully I will make some trips back out there as life here begins to settle down 👍
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Buford Posts: 456
3/11/2024
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Jealous of some of the wildlife you have there. Hopefully you get back out here.
As long as we don’t see you on the news with the headline “Florida man…” 
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
3/14/2024
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Buford wrote:
As long as we don’t see you on the news with the headline “Florida man…”
Yeah, the morning radio show always has something about Florida Man.
https://floridaman.com/
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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tekewin Posts: 368
3/16/2024
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Congrats on retirement! Even though it was a couple years ago.
Those are awesome photos. Very different critters there. I read why you chose Florida, but wow, going from one of the driest parts of the country to wettest. I love mountains too much to live somewhere flat. I don't do harsh winters any more either, so that rules out much of the country for us.
Best of luck going forward and hope you get back to the desert soon.
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Scooter Posts: 114
3/16/2024
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Congratulations Darren !! I retired 7 years ago and never looked back. Love the ability to go mid week without the crowds.
Moved to Fountain Hills in Arizona, so many hiking trails 5 minutes from my house
Still get back to Borrego about 4 times a year. Enjoy. I hope the blog keeps going. It is so helpful
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