'Florida Man' vs Florida Wildlife

[@davidterrie7661]

Step away from social media and the 'news' and you'll find a land full of generous, good-hearted people. A lesson for us all.

[@patti3566]

As a Floridian, your videos make me proud! You are doing an amazing job showing the beauty of the state and the amazing resident's that call it home! Thank You!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Thank you! It’s an amazing place ♥️

[@Cycle9568]

The ending gave off that old school Disney movie vibe.

[@bonza4clarinet]

It's Firebird, which was in Fantasia 2000! :)

[@paulliles7417]

my thoughts a exactly

[@johnalden5821]

Night-hiking, in the rain, in a swamp, with roaches, saucer-sized spiders, gators and snake/salamander things that play dead. Y'all have really upped the ante this time! I am getting more fascinated with each video.

[@weepingwillow901]

I have lived in south Florida my whole life and I still cannot stand palmetto bugs. I was a zookeeper working with big carnivores (bears, big cats, wolves, etc.) But put me in a room with a roach and I'm OUT

[@MizzMoss]

I have been following thru hikers on the Florida Trail since January and your videos show the reality of Florida terrain and the diversity of wildlife. So many hikers just push forward or it's all about their misery complaining every step of the way. Or focused just on their narrow perspective just barely acknowledging beautiful or even scary things right in front of them. Yes, it's a difficult journey but your humor (those cows and that dung Beetle LOL) and humane view of things makes your videos the best of the best. Looking forward to the next videos on down the trail.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

- Starvation Slough - lunchtime what could go wrong? Also, what you saw at 3:46 isn't a snake, it's an Amphiuma. A salamander

[@timrobinson6573]

Starvation Slough was named such because it's where the US military force marched the Indians after taking their land. The Indians ended up there and didn't have food and many of them starved to death. There is also an area called Hungry Land, named after a different but similar site of genocide.

[@djg5950]

I thought it was an eel. Thanks for identifying it for us.

[@jbronson8687]

Dixie, this is why I enjoy your hiking videos more than any others I have found. You take the time to show the wildlife. Not just quick passing shots, but really show it. And you show the little guys (spiders, insects, other tiny creatures) that I really don't think a lot of hikers even notice. Thanks for bringing everything that lives along your trails into view. Keep it up!

[@manjavannieuwkerk1653]

Just what I was thinking. Always first watch Dixies videos before watching the others.

[@brianlukethomas]

Music, editing, and your shots are just getting better and better! Thanks for such a great episode :D

[@drewbot78]

This Really impressive Dixie

[@inquisitivewanderer2536]

Yeah, this was really well done.

[@madhacker7]

Had that nat geo feel! Fantastic job. Super well done!

[@achillespaparsenos5649]

Dixie, that video should get some kind of award. That was by far one of your best yet.

[@coffeeneone]

I seriously hope that you get some kind of documentary gig because your adventures, filming etc are epic! Seriously, thank you for what you do! (And you’re crazy for doing the Florida trail and all all that night hiking, but I’m glad I still get to see it) 🤣

[@robertrockwell7581]

what a crappy life. he is just going for the ride. Dixie you are too funny. laughing at Marty had me cracking up over that 7 foot cockroach. loving this trail. stay safe .

[@taramiller2672]

It's a Palmetto bug, not a roach. They like to crawl in your ears at night.

[@toni3558]

@@taramiller2672 A palmetto is a cockroach. Same thing.

[@claramullen]

Awesome Dixie I am so glad you are enjoying your hike here in Florida. You are the right person to put our beautiful trail in perspective for other folks.

[@robertphillips93]

Dung beetles are just like kids -- some like to really exercise the playground equipment, others just like to get dizzy . . . (Thanks for another fine video!)

[@chebbyshev2204]

I love how the cows just turned and walked away when you started talking to them. Haha

[@maribarahona416]

"This is not humping time, that's probably your momma" I laughed out loud. This video was great, the ending was like a Disney movie.

[@djg5950]

I caught that. She called the bull a MF, LOL !

[@maureengreen3625]

Well, this is new. I am brought to tears by Homemade Wanderlust. “The kindness of strangers. The beauty of nature.” That haunting music. Just dust in my eyes, probably.

[@kennyobrien]

That was the BEST editing and storytelling of any backpacking video I have ever watched. Love you guys!

[@iriolexisbierle6697]

I think Mar De just earned himself the trail name "Palmetto bug"

[@johnphillips3526]

Yep, not a roach.

[@johnalden5821]

@@johnphillips3526 Whatever you say. Or, whatever gets you through the swamp. The Internets say the Palmetto Bug is a kind of roach.

[@AlpacaMade]

Yep, or Bombay Bomber, another nickname for the Florida variety.👍

[@blazentoo4904]

He would have really freaked out if it had flew at him..yes they can fly

[@johnalden5821]

@@blazentoo4904 I had one fly directly into my forehead once.

[@fosterwalker1488]

Thank you for the kind words about the FL Trail. For a long time I've heard people say it's not real hiking without the mountains. But I hike the FT & I love the swamps, gators, snakes... This is what I've got. This is what I hike.

[@hmspain52]

How are you so CALM in the middle of all that? "... add a little vodka ..." Oh!

[@Richard-xj5ye]

I'm watching this from my home in the concrete jungle called London. Soooo, Soooo envious!!! Keep up the good work, you're keeping me sane!

[@latergator3367]

Thank you for showing my family, they are very happy to be on your channel !

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

The kindness of strangers is awesome!

[@Jinx-ig1fz]

This is more scarier than the scary movies that have come out in the last five years. lol.

[@manfredseidler1531]

The miles you put in are daunting enough but the wildlife in Florida could be a deal-breaker. I believe John Muir hiked all the way to Florida but ended up preferring the mountains and the cold... I might be inclined to agree with him. I also agree with you in that choosing one location over another is like having to pick one child over the other... like impossible!

[@kdavis4910]

Awesome vlog Dixie. "This ain't no time for humpin. Get down. That's probably your mama." Lol.

[@russelljackman1413]

Another GREAT video! They just keep getting better, Dixie! One thing I, too, have noticed on my adventures is, the kindness of strangers is ever-present! Chance meetings have turned into life-long friendships! I am so happy for you! May God bless you both.

[@strollersofthecodyscarp7557]

Your doing a beautiful job of showing the Florida Trail and my home state, can't wait till you get to Ocala NF and the panhandle.

[@AidaJof]

Amazingly awesome, Dixie that was great. Poor Marty - not afraid of dangerous snakes, alligators, spiders but so afraid of a cockroach ... hey we all have our kryptonite. Thank you for taking us along and showing us a Florida that not many of us will get to see. Looking forward to your next leg of trail.

[@markcain8325]

Thanks for another excellent video. You've certainly changed my mind about walking thru swampland.

[@bretbowlin2617]

Outstanding footage Dixie. Love all the critters. Not sure I could hang with the spiders though haha. Thanks for the story.

[@EricWild]

You had me at the "Firebird suite"

[@Woodthrush]

I agree! An epic choice. Loving all the classical music in recent videos.

[@tommckinney1489]

One of your best videos yet! Good job by Aaron, too.

[@juketreks2192]

I really like your style of telling a story throughout your episode. You engage with your surroundings. I feel for your buddies fear of roaches because my fear of spiders is pretty damn bad. I don’t mind a spider as long as it’s not on me. One day your buddy will figure out that he is the one clearing out the spider webs on the trail in the morning. Wait til the banana spiders come out. Happy trails.

[@johnroos5807]

Is that a 'B-52'? That's the drink of champions!:) Semper Fidelis

[@fromflabtofourteener9596]

Palmetto bugs - and yes, they do fly! While I totally appreciate the flora and fauna of Florida (lived there many years), I'll take the Rockies, thanks.

[@BillyDeeShilliums]

I really love this channel! If you need anything in central FL. I’m in Tampa,

[@knowwheretogo3974]

I have been watching your channel since you hiked the Appalachian Trail. My husband and I have a dream to hike the AT in a couple of years when our kids are grown. Your videos are a wealth of resources to help us prepare for that journey. I love your Florida trail videos! You did a wonderful job with this one. The ending was fantastic! Watching channels like yours has inspired me to start a channel of my own with my husband. Ours is called Know Where To Go. Thank you for sharing!

[@trailslug893]

Wow! Your video skills are getting better and better. I got the heebie jeebies when you crossed that water in the rain at night. What could go wrong there :) Thanks for taking us along on your journeys.

[@clemoniii]

No doubt you've done more for Florida hiking than anyone in the last decade!

[@hikewithmike4673]

after Texas, Florida has the largest cattle ranches in the country!

[@cleavetoo]

Actually I think it’s Texas, California, then Florida.

[@janefreeman995]

Actually at one point Hawaii had the 2nd largest cattle ranches 🌴 🌞. Leaving Hawaii tomorrow to do final prep for PCT flip flop. So excited!

[@patrickjones8255]

They have the second largest single cattle ranch, owned by the LDS (Mormon) church. But they don't even crack the top 10 for cattle. www.beef2live.com/story-top-10-states-cattle-0-110713#:~:text=The%20Most%20Cattle-,Texas%20has%20the%20most%20cattle%20in%20the%20United%20States%20followed,inventory%20in%20the%20United%20States.

[@davidgerner5729]

Also....I love your music choices for these Florida pieces. It highlights the wonder of that area.

[@bamabow1282]

“Stage five clinger mud” I LOLed.

[@E.I.C.C_Onwer]

It’s 7 feet long 😂😂 that whole clip was great 🤣

[@julsscarlett3681]

Another great video! Aaron is really killin' it with the music. Stay safe!

[@jcfh19981]

Thanks for sharing the beauty of my state. It’s not for the faint of heart these trails, but so worth it.

[@bethgentry5565]

I saw crocs in Costa Rica longer then my touring kayak & I was up on a bridge. I dont know about hiking near them. Great video. A side of Florida I havent seen. Way cool

[@mikegardner186]

Probably one of my favorite videos you’ve done. So many cool wildlife shots!

[@punkbuster2004]

Another Great video. During this harsh times I stopped watching KZbin videos and all of my favorite series . Now I'm feeling better and stared watching your channel . Really relaxing and down to earth . I will everything I missed .

[@BrianDenton3]

Love the use of Stravinsky. Firebird is great, the music and with the theme of wildlife that you ended with.

[@CassBlast5]

Loved the use of the Firebird Suite as the track for the end of this video! So epic!

[@krigsgaldr5619]

Thank you Dixie, great cinematography and Marty was cracking me up with the "7 foot roach". Cheers...

[@paulgoeke758]

Don't tell Mar De that those things are literally EVERYWHERE in Florida. LOL

[@otdfun1320]

This video is one of the best! The scene with the cockroach or “palmetto bug” as we call them here in Floridan, had me falling out of my chair laughing 😂 plus I felt like I was watching a documentary on PBS. Amazing work 🤩

[@kennethandrews6680]

Love your comments about the fact hiking is not always about the epic view or hard climbs. You are so correct when you say nature is the views you can enjoy,

[@williammccaslin8527]

I'm born an raised there to, an truly love the diversity of the woods, really like it in the winter, generally nicer an cooler an less skeeters to, MELBOURNE ALSO.

[@trailheart1863]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing. loved that ending 😀❤️ well done.

[@shellybirmingham6288]

I totally agree with him on the roaches!!!! spiders snakes gators but No roaches lol

[@twwtb]

Beautiful photography! I still ain't goin' there, no ma'am.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

If you think that's the biggest roach you've ever seen... the world's largest roach (Megaloblatta longipennis) can grow up to 3.8 inches in length and have a wingspan of 7.9 inches!

[@DawnyPotter]

'I wonder what that could be.... Probably a deer.' - I actually laughed out loud

[@christophergeistc2603]

The Firebird. Perfect musical selection for the end of the video!

[@scottm.4091]

I have said it before and I will say it again... I love all the cool close-up stuff of the lil critters.

[@cortlandbennett1174]

Lake wales is where i grew up. It Is really cool seeing you appreciate my hometown with the wildlife and hiking it has to offer.

[@laurafraser3625]

I feel the same way as Mar De about cockroaches. They completely freak me out!

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Hi Dixie: I have been watching your videos for awhile and I have to say you are one tuff cookie. I am from Montana but now live in Washington State. My knee's aren't much good any more so I don't hike very much anymore. So thanks for taking me and many others along on your trips.

[@StageFiveKlinger]

Every video you put out gets me more excited about moving to Pensacola in June.

[@yelitzagalan5670]

The alligators are intimidating as someone that's not from Florida but this trail does look magical. I didn't expect to see the herd of cows! I was also really touched by the kindness people showed you guys. Over-all another wonderful video, thanks for sharing!

[@pbardon3965]

Can’t wait to walk this trail. Thank you for making these videos. I know you’ve heard that 350000 times already but what’s one more. Thank you. ❤

[@mikedouglas3534]

I can not begin to describe the wonder of the wildlife photography - at the start it was about the inspiration of hiking for someone who did hike but cant as i did - but you got me up and walking/hiking (if 2 miles counts) = The inspiration comes (especially in this episode) from the people! this has touched my heart in a special way! THANKS

[@blazentoo4904]

Awesome job portraying the incredible diversity on the Florida trail not just the bad stuff most people want to point out I spend a lot of time

[@blazentoo4904]

On the Florida trail and always excited to see what's around d the corner from dung beetles to armidillos nice job!!

[@henrifischer1119]

what a beautiful spider at 1:02

[@vannemocilac274]

Wow Dixie and MarDe! You out did yourselves on this one! Scared and laughing and crying and then some more! 🔥

[@nahhandams]

Lovin' the music choices. Glad yall got to rest up. I've been doin that all day for my knee in Hiawassee before I push on towards Franklin on the AT. Happy trails!

[@lindsayslifecafe7569]

Haha “Oh no, we got to go from here.” 😂 I laughed out loud

[@lunapluto491]

Such a great video! I had the opportunity to hike some trails in FL a few years ago and you’re right. The wildlife and landscape was really beautiful. You captured it perfectly.

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

Dixie this series has been one of your best. And love the use of Mussorgsky at the end.

[@Chipiricuiki0083]

Flipping epic y'all!! Keep up the awesome been following this series and as a Floridian that's been in Texas since 2011 my Florida pride is just through the roof. Love the sunshine state and loving the videos. Also totally on the same page with Marty: Palmetto bugs can heck right off.

[@kpk514]

I just gotta say I love how much you love our Florida trail! I've done a couple sections with my kids (4.5, 3, and 9m) and it is magical every time for all of us.

[@vibelife5133]

Beware of the ticks in ocala national forest, (if your not already there, or past) I'm hearing they are real thick right now.

[@gregorynarciso729]

cocktails with the gators! make it a double please.

[@AtTreehouse]

Thanks for letting us follow the journey! Nice cinematic ending!

[@pbkayakyer]

That's a palmetto bug! There's thousands of them in those trees!

[@Nynke_K]

We are so lucky to have you show us a trail that most of us would never have seen or considered otherwise!

[@gracebarrett-johnson]

I told my family that if I ever say I want to hike the Florida trail, they need to be worried about me. This wildlife is where I draw the line 😂 I’m glad you’re enjoying it though 😀

[@madhacker7]

You killed it yet again Dixie! The photography and editing were incredible. Nat Geo needs Dixie behind the camera! That was awesome! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@chrishaines1677]

Love the Stravinsky at the finish. Check out the Florida Suite by Fredrick Delois, especially the section “by the river”. Did the Ocala Trail years ago and that went thru my head constantly.

[@lisa30red]

This is the truest form of love that should always appear and this time in a can or beer the TRIALS of LIFE are magic and the TRIBULATIONS of these lessons are magnificent 🙏

[@hikewithmike4673]

I love being in the swamps....so much...I miss it just days after I come back to "civilization"...it is my favorite place to be!

[@kennethchirino9005]

Ive lived in Miami, Florida my whole life, its an absolute pleasure watching these videos on my home trail. inspires me to do it myself

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

"Hey, careful man. There's a beverage in here." A sleep disorder means I remember my dreams very vividly. I get to spend time with my long departed parents which is cool. But the nightmares are so extremely frightening--frequently involving spiders--that I believe I could easily have a heart attack. So, Dixie, as much as I love and appreciate all your fantastic nature film, I have to close my eyes when you show spiders.

[@lindab8774]

Your videos are so beautiful. I grew up in FL, but have moved away. I never viewed FL as being beautiful but you have opened my eyes. I love how positive you are about everything.

[@dog-so1vj]

Amazing video. Beautiful scenery. I have lived NE Florida for 40 years. I've spent lots of time in the woods here either camping in the National Forests or State Parks. I grew up in the North Georgia mountains only 20 minutes from the AT Trailhead at Amicalola Falls, but there's just nothing like the beautiful wilderness and wildlife here in Florida.

[@janeytallarida6432]

Would love to hear more of Mardee playing his guitar.

[@lukasmakarios4998]

He's scared of a palmetto bug. LOL. Of all the critters to be afraid of, that's not the one I would have picked. When I heard the ending, I immediately thought of "Fantasia" and the beautiful nature goddess bringing Spring in all of its glory. Wow!

[@polarisnoctem2491]

I’m glad you’re having a great time on the trail and meeting such awesome people along the way!

[@hikewithmike4673]

I love the sound of the baby gators!

[@blueboats7530]

All the proof you need to never refuse the offer of a beer

[@susanlindson]

Wow and thank you! I really needed to see this raw beauty. Thank you for sharing your kind of crazy with us.