Everglades Loop Road - Close Encounters

Hey everyone, Kevin here. I figured I’d start a KZbin channel that felt a little more personable as I brought you all along on my adventures. Florida can be a tough state to camp in. I usually camp twice a week from November until March with friends. I still camp through the summer, just not as frequently as other adventures seem to take up the long summer days. I work rotating 12 hour shifts that allow me to have off 14+ days a month. Combine that with my sense of adventure and I'm able to see what the states really have to offer. So please, go ahead, subscribe and follow along for some fun outdoor adventures!
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Overland Florida Toyota 4Runner t4r Tacoma tundra Jeep Jeep gladiator camping truck camping 3rd gen ford maverick wrangler skottle ikamper Dometic van life

[@ronpearce7198]

Thanks for the memories. Traveled that road many a time. In my 70’s now and have since moved to north central Florida. At least they keep it graded off these days. Pretty rough place back in the day and I don’t mean just the road. Wish we had the recording devices back then that you have today. You’re a lot like me. If wasn’t working, I was exploring. Fond memories of Monroe Station. Followed your channel for awhile now and trust me, you will look back at this time in your life when you get to my age and have the most incredible memories. Don’t stop.😊.

[@OverlandFlorida]

It’s sure it was rough back in the day. To bad the Monroe station burned down. I’ve been making videos on and off for about 10 years now. I like going back and watching my really early ones. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@acmecompany]

At least its not home developments

[@OverlandFlorida]

@@acmecompany you got that right! Or another casino.

[@blockaid]

I would like to see that for myself. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Some days all the wildlife is out and it's a great drive.

[@haroldmcclellan3448]

Best fishing I have ever had with lucky Cole after hurricane Andrew

[@realityoverland3180]

We are going to fakahatchee strand December 2nd we have done loop rd a few times its usually alot more busy

[@henryi9738]

Amazing shots of wildlife , thanks for sharing ! 😃👍

[@OverlandFlorida]

Thanks for watching!

[@bradansworld]

Great that you made this video so I know what I missed when I was down there! Not sure I'd ever do the entire loop road but you got a view of the "Real" Everglades.

[@OverlandFlorida]

It’s really not very exciting. Everglades National Park would be better, only because they have some hikes and look out towers.

[@randyc9656]

Your truck is looking pretty awesome Kevin,great video

[@OverlandFlorida]

This is actually Jillian’s truck. She’s done all the work to it.

[@HumaneEmergencyAnimalRescue911]

The last time we were there we couldn't open the windows or get out the mosquitos were so thick. Best time to go there is just before rain season. The gator holes are full of activity.

[@OverlandFlorida]

I motorcycle camped down at Flamingo campground and it was miserable. I'd have to go in the dead of Florida's winter next time with our Runaway camper.

[@carlosr1060]

Goose needs some Melatonin gummy’s before a trip, his excitement is overwhelming.😂

[@OverlandFlorida]

He needs something alright 😂

[@chud327]

That is one small post office!!

[@OverlandFlorida]

And to think someone sits inside of it!

[@hines862009]

I worked on the elevation mapping survey of Loop road for the SWFWMD back in 2021. They're moving water from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades to mitigate red tide issues on the coasts (caused by high nitrogen levels from fertilizers used in sugar farming).

[@OverlandFlorida]

Yeah, I read a couple articles when I got back, thanks for sharing the information.

[@jefftammy9606]

It’s worth getting the Big Cypress off-road permit, there’s an awesome loop with two campsites off Road 839.

[@OverlandFlorida]

I’ll have to look back into that.

[@robertkite2997]

Man you were only a hour and a half away !!! lol 😂 it’s beautiful out there !! I love cruising loop rd, Jane’s scenic drive, bear island, and picayune strands. I change my mind at the last minute. I changed my mind at the last minute about going out there today too 🤦🏻😂😂

[@OverlandFlorida]

Haha, we are going to the cabin at Jane's scenic drive next time we are down south.

[@robertkite2997]

Let me know !! I’ll meet up with y’all maybe we can even do. Some camping at bear island !! lol 😂

[@OverlandFlorida]

@@robertkite2997 I need the 4x4 permit for that right?

[@robertkite2997]

The large main campground no, but out in the back country where the other two campgrounds are yes. $100.00 for the year Jan-dec.

[@CMC61]

Can you imagine the road construction workers that had to deal with the alligators while constructing the roads back then !

[@OverlandFlorida]

It probably wasn’t as bad as you think. The mosquitos would have been worse than the gators.

[@jdesigns7239]

Loved the vid. Who makes that hood mounted solar panel, how long have you had it and is it holding up? Thanks!

[@OverlandFlorida]

Maybe Jillian will answer this, I can't remember off the top of my head. I believe the brand is Renogy. I can check in the morning. It works, but I don"t really have a way to test how efficient it is.

[@Talktome.goose_thegsp]

It’s by Lensun Solar. I’ve had it about two years now. As far as efficiency, like Kevin said we don’t really have a great way to test it, but I use it to charge my secondary AGM battery which powers my Dometic CFX3 45. If it’s in full sun in theory it should be able to keep up with the battery long enough to keep the fridge running for about 18- 24 hours without needing an additional source of power. However, right now, I do not have my fridge directly connected to the battery so there’s a huge loss of power so the panel can’t keep up. It has no problem keeping up with the auxiliary power panel I built in the back with a few 12v plugs and USBs.

[@jdesigns7239]

@@Talktome.goose_thegsp Awesome, I have been looking at a Lensun panel for my Tacoma but didn't really trust the brand bc i'd never heard of it before. Thank you for replying! I'm going to get one now and be just like you.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Would love to fish that area

[@OverlandFlorida]

You should do it!

[@Rusted_Link]

Hurricanes? What year/month was this? Beard?

[@OverlandFlorida]

This was about six weeks ago. They are flooding the Everglades again in a restoration project.

[@davidfessler1826]

What do you mean go in there? It looks closed. You shouldn’t be going into places that you don’t own. It’s known as breaking and entering. It is trespassing as well. Idiot kids burning down buildings. People have no respect anymore for anything in this country. Fortunately I’ve been there in 2006 so I’ve already seen it all. And I saw many more alligators than you did on both sides of the road with more vehicles on the road and a lot of extremely large mosquitoes hitting my car’s windshield.

[@OverlandFlorida]

I don’t event know what to say 😂