🌲 Into the Blackwater: A Weekend of Survival, Discovery, and a Whole Lot of Heart
- Courtnie Gillette
- Nov 6
- 6 min read
This weekend, my family and I packed up and headed into the Blackwater River Forest in Holt, Florida — one of the purest, wildest remaining longleaf pine ecosystems in North America. It wasn't just a camping trip. It was a test, a homecoming, a little spiritual recalibration, and a field laboratory for what Six Point Survival is all about: connection, resilience, and remembering who we really are when the modern noise drops out.
And yes — we brought Skelly, our Six Point Halloween skeleton mascot, because what's a wilderness expedition without a humorous reminder of our own mortality?
Jump Ahead
🌙 First Night Milestone: Our Daughter’s First Tent Solo
There's a moment in every child's life where independence isn't just taught — it's felt. Our daughter claimed her own tent for the first time this weekend. No fear. No second-guessing. Just courage under the stars.
That's not just a camping milestone — that's a rite of passage. As parents, we didn't interfere. We simply watched her step into confidence the way nature intended: quietly and powerfully.
🎣 Fishing, Firelight, and the Lost Art of Family Presence
We fished along the quiet water in the Blackwater River, surrounded by cypress knees and whispering longleaf pines. We watched dragonflies skim the surface and felt time slow down in a way it never does in town. In the evenings, we gathered around the fire, told stories that blended legends and laughter, and remembered that true wealth is measured in moments, not money.
Skelly sat next to the fire as the official “campfire council elder” — silent but wise. Probably judging our marshmallow technique.
🦉 The Owl Who Called Out in the Night
From sundown until late morning, the forest echoed with the constant, piercing cry of an owl — not the melodic call of a hunter, but the repetitive screech of distress every 5 to 15 seconds. The sound carried an ache that none of us could ignore.
By daylight, we saw him low in the branches. His left talon appeared injured, likely preventing him from hunting. We firmly believe in not interfering with wildlife, and we teach that principle through Six Point. However, sometimes the forest presents a moment that tests your compassion.
Later that morning, the owl found a bit of food near our cooking area. We didn't approach, but he did manage to eat, and for the first time in more than fourteen hours, the forest fell silent. Not in sorrow, but in peace.
Once we returned to service range, we contacted local wildlife rescue services, provided the owl's exact location, behavior, and visible injury, and are now awaiting their intervention.
🌌 Mystical Meaning
Throughout history, the owl has been a symbol of wisdom, truth, and messages from the unseen world. But an injured owl carries a different message:
"Wisdom is present, but something in our ability to receive or act on it has been wounded."
This encounter reminded us that survival isn’t just about human strength — it’s about humility, empathy, and the guardianship of the natural world.
🌿 Field Botany Notes: Nature Was Talking
Blackwater is rich with ecological wisdom. Every plant we encountered told a story about resilience, healing, toxicity, or transformation. These plants are not just background scenery — they are teachers. Full individual breakdowns will be coming in future posts, but here is a preview:
🔸 Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
The only native caffeinated plant in North America. Once used ceremonially for purification. Leaves are medicinal, while berries are toxic to humans but essential food for wildlife during winter.
🔸 Slender Goldenrod (Solidago stricta)
A powerful medicinal ally for inflammation, urinary health, and allergy support. Often blamed for hay fever, yet completely innocent — its pollen is heavy and carried by insects, not wind.
🔸 Matelea (Climbing Milkvine)
A toxic vine and butterfly host plant. Its inflated seed pods and silky seeds remind us that not all medicine is for us — some plants exist to serve other species.
🔸 Dog Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
A tall, feathery plant with a strong scent when crushed. Historically used as a poultice for skin irritation and insect repellent. A pioneer species that thrives after disturbance.
🔸 Narrowleaf Silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia)
With silver leaves and bright yellow flowers, this fire-adapted beauty is both medicinal and symbolic of survival in harsh conditions. Its volatile oils repel insects and soothe inflammation.
🔸 Groundsel Bush (Baccharis angustifolia)
Often mistaken for goldenrod. A vital pollinator plant with fluffy seed heads. Supports ecosystem health, though not edible for humans.
🔸 Red False Foxglove (Agalinis coccinea)
A hemiparasitic plant that taps into the roots of nearby species for nutrients while still photosynthesizing. A brilliant example of nature's relationships — cooperation, not competition.
🔸 American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)
A post-fire pioneer species. Used traditionally as a topical poultice for rashes and inflammation. Reminds us that healing often appears first in the ashes.
🔸 Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
A sacred conifer thriving in wetlands. Its rot-resistant wood was used in canoes and sacred objects. Symbol of purification and endurance.
🔸 St. John’s Wort Relative (Hypericum spp.)
Bright yellow flowers with a medicinal history tied to mood, wound healing, and inflammation. Native Florida species carry the same spiritual signature of light overcoming darkness.
🔸 Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
The true culprit behind seasonal allergies. Wind-pollinated and stealthy. A powerful reminder that not all irritation is visible — some is carried through the unseen air.
🔸 Gopher Apple (Licania michauxii)
A low-growing fruiting shrub essential to the gopher tortoise and keystone to the longleaf pine ecosystem. Its fruit is edible when ripe — a humble but powerful survival food.
In Blackwater, every plant had a purpose, every ecosystem a pulse. These are not just species — they are signatures of a living, breathing landscape still speaking to those who know how to listen.
🔥 Lessons from the Flames
Fire has a way of burning away everything unnecessary. At camp, we talked about life, business, and legacy. We talked about the future of Six Point — not just as a business, but as a movement. A return to self-reliance, family resilience, and deep-rooted connection to nature.
There, in the stillness, I remembered something important: Survival isn't about fear of collapse — it's about embracing the fullness of being alive.
✨ Why This Weekend Mattered
Our daughter stepped into confidence.
We deepened our knowledge of native Florida medicinal plants.
We took part in protecting wildlife.
We spent real time together — not distracted, not rushed.
We remembered that the wild doesn't just test you — it heals you.
📅 Coming Soon on the Blog:
I’ll be doing individual deep dives on the plants we encountered:
Medicinal uses
Historical Indigenous knowledge
Foraging cautions
Spiritual signatures and ecological roles
Because at Six Point Survival, we don't just teach skills…We teach connections with the natural world.
Gear Guide
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Kelty Grand Mesa 4 (Tent) — Rock-solid, easy pitch, and roomy enough for one kid + gear (or a parent drop-in); great balance of weight and durability.
Kelty 40° Sleeping Bag — Cozy three-season bag for mild nights; compresses well and zips smoothly so kids can manage it solo.
Kelty Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad — Quick valve, decent R-value (for Florida) comfort, and tough fabric; takes the sting out of uneven ground.
Coleman Trailhead Cot — Sturdy, simple cot that lifts you off cold/buggy ground; pairs well with the pad for extra comfort.
Lantern Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 — Bright, rechargeable lantern with multiple brightness levels; doubles as a camp hub light without blinding everyone.
Tent Fan — Compact clip-on fan for airflow on humid nights; keeps condensation and crankiness down.
Petzl Headlamp — Lightweight, tilt-adjustable, and preferably with red mode; hands-free for camp chores and midnight tent exits.
🌄 Until Then…
If you've been waiting for a sign to get outside, reconnect, and reset — this is it. The forest is calling. Your spirit knows the way.
Stay wild. Stay ready.
— Courtnie, Six Point Survival
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