Florida Winter Camping | Forgotten Coast | Beach Hiking, Moochdocking and Apalachicola Dog Parade

[@ruabadkitty]

You had a yellow flag on the beach. A yellow flag means potentially high surf or dangerous currents and undertows and means that swimmers should exercise extreme caution. Apalachicola has some of the strongest undertows. I love their seafood. They are known for the best oysters in Fl. The forest is beautiful and there is more boondocking in that area than any other area of the state. Stay safe out there with all that is going on. Gosh Maggie looks so cute! Thanks again for the great video!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you for all the information. We didn’t check out any bookdocking spots, but that is good to know. We appreciate you watching and for your informative comment.

[@dlbracer56]

Apalachicola is our weekend get away place. The Gibson Inn and the Franklin in the Inn for high brow eats, The Parlor Bar for adult beverages. The Station across the street is great too. Boss Oyster was our "raw bar" but hurricane Michael flooded the entire district out of business. The Apalachicola Seafood Grill is worth the wait if they're busy. We love just driving down from Tallahassee for the day. ENJOY.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks for all the suggestions, we’ll put them on the list for next time. We absolutely love the area and we will be back for sure. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@jameskohnke3425]

As Maggie's official representative she has requested that the next time you dress her up it be with a fishing vest and waders as she is a fishing dog. She has caught more salmon than you. No more pink frilly foo-foo costumes. Love watching this while passing the time in Page AZ. Also like that VTL hat! Need to make them in a beanie. Lots of love to all!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I will keep her request in mind if we ever dress her up again. You are correct the fishing gear would have been a better representation of who Maggie is. We love following you through all the amazing pictures you post. Stay safe and healthy.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Maggie is so cute in her getup. We would totally be camping on that beach. Glad you ares safe. Big hugs and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much Love.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

When we realize you could drive on the beach you guys were the first people we thought of, it would have been a great way to spend a day on the beach. Love you guys, stay safe and healthy.

[@newhampshirejoe5975]

So glad to hear your home safe and sound. Kinda sucks but will get through this and be stronger on the other side ...stay healthy your friends Joe & Joyce

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We totally agree that we will be stronger on the other side. We appreciate you watching and your kind comment. Stay safe!

[@annesilva3035]

Maggie is adorable! Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are very welcome. I couldn’t agree more that Maggie is adorable. We appreciate you watching.

[@randybidwell8694]

Hey Owen and Lynn! thanks for the video. St. George Island was one of our favorite stops over our Christmas vacation. The trail you were on was a great time. It was a little spooky over there on the inter-coastal as the abandoned primitive campground was empty. The Rad Rovers were great getting through there. This was also the place that we took them up the beach for miles to the end of the island where the road is closed. A great experience.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I bet St. George was a good good place to have your electric bikes. It sounds like a great way to do a lot of exploring. Even though we didn’t get to stay very long it was a great experience for us too. Next time we will have to make reservations ahead of time so we can stay in the campground. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@ralphfeldes9052]

Go Maggie! Shake it Girl!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Strutting her stuff!

[@mikemanjo2458]

Thanks so much for this beautiful respite from the craziness of this week of social distancing. The video was great. Y’all just keep getting better and better! How do you choose your music? It was perfect for this video! I’m glad y’all are back at home & safe. We are, too. Trying to do our part to flatten the curve. Enjoy the nice spring weather & stay healthy! Maggie looked awesome in the parade! ❤️🙏🏻Jane

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome and thank you for your kind comment. It is a crazy time for sure but we will do what we need to until the craziness ends. Owen has a music service he uses for the music, but he does have a music background which I think helps with choosing good music. Stay safe and healthy. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@mikemanjo2458]

❤️🙏🏻😊

[@ncwomanparker1708]

OMG! Maggie is adorable!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I couldn’t agree more. Maggie is so adorable.

[@jamesblanchard6033]

Thanks so much for sharing the RV Parky app with your viewers. We used it for our recent trip to Florida and it made finding places to stay with the camper so easy. We had never taken such a long trip (PEI, Canada to Florida) and this app was a great asset.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome. It helps us a lot too and we are glad it helped you. Stay safe.

[@RoadsofLife]

We're at home...got back from a trip to Indiana just before everything hit the fan, so to speak! Watching this video reminds us of what life is all about! Thanks for uploading! Before you ask, we were Indiana to tour an RV facility (go see my channel if you want to see more... video #2 coming out Friday and #3 next week). Be seeing you!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We think home is the right place to be right now. Thanks for watching and be safe out there.

[@CanadaFree.6014]

Appalachicola was our favorite little town in Florida. We stayed one night at a fishing dock outside of town and second night on the street down town. Love the vibe their and wasn't busy at all 2nd week of March. We also loved St George Island where we parked by the lighthouse to get on the beach and where dogs are allowed. My husband was excited to help another man reel in a 6' shark, which took an hour. Then released. Appalachicola is a place we could spend a week exploring and just hanging out. Some of the friendliest people in Florida. Never did get to Cape St Blas. Our next stops were Grayton Beach State Park (1 nt) and then Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (2 nts from cancellation). Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short after this and cancelled reservation at Big Lagoon. We had to head back to Atlantic Canada due to coming restrictions and border closing between Canada/US. We are back home as of last Wednesday and under 14 day isolation. Hope you two are back home safe and sound!

[@CanadaFree.6014]

You guys made a comment in your last video about deciding not to go to south Florida. After exploring that area this winter, I don't think I would go back there again either, except for Sebastian Inlet area on the east coast. I wouldn't go back to the keys - way too commercial, busy, and hot. Also, found the western gulf coast areas way too busy (and hot) - didn't enjoy it all. We found central Florida surprisingly beautiful and loved some areas of the pan handle (our first time there).

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We are home safe and sound and glad to hear you are too. We also cut our trip short because we felt is was the safest thing to do. Owen would have loved to help someone reel in a shark, I bet that was exciting. Thanks so much for the comment.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I totally agree with your comment. I guess as we get older we enjoy quite and solitude rather that the hustle and bustle of bigger places. It’s good to have the experience but also a place that we don’t gravitate toward. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@wideglide6723]

Particularly liked the Cape San Blas section. BTW nice hat dude.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Cape San Blas was such a beautiful surprise, we had met a couple the day before while taking a walk and they suggested we go there. It was absolutely stunning. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@jaynemiller8464]

Awesome video. You guys are so cute. And love Maggie.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@OntarioHikingTrails]

Love the hike and the video stay safe and stay local

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We are safe at home and staying local. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@pattyk8594]

Hey I just saw this video from 2 years ago. I like the Travato because of the twin beds and seems more convenient to drive around. I always love seeing Maggy, she's so outgoing and social! :o)

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks Patty!

[@richardcoyle2635]

Great video. May head south next winter. Tired of the cold and too old to fight the snow.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The cold weather is the main reason we go to Florida. Thanks so much for watching.

[@willjankuvic9387]

Your choice of music underlines the right mood fitting to the pictures! Wonderfull sentimental groove music at 23:46 to 24:15 min. Wonder you could let me know the artist or title of that song. Best greetings from a German, living in Thailand and well remembering our family hollydays in Florida, cruising the state some 20 years ago. Keep on doing so, Will

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks! The song is This Summer Breeze by Chase Hughes.

[@johndagricola]

As Ohio gets ready to "shelter in place" and we expect to stay in our home for however long, we plan to go to the Forgotten Coast whenever it becomes ok to travel again. Your comments about "life's too short" instantly brought to my memory Ricky Skaggs' song "Life's Too Long to Live Like This". Thank you for all your work in producing these videos! They're more important than ever as we have to stay inside.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Check out some of the comments on this video of places to go eat when you visit. This area is still one of my favorites places in Florida, you will love it. Thanks so much for watching.

[@hdlowrider5413]

Another good one. St George, Apalach, and Cape San Blas some of our favorite places to RV. Some of the best seafood in the world also. Be safe. Hope to see y’all on the road someday.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting . We appreciate you following along. Stay safe and healthy.

[@nbragtop]

Such a wonderful video. Your photography, stories and words of wisdom are so meaningful to all of your followers. And Maggie, she is the true star, she always keeps a smile on our faces, I still laugh at Owen describing her "Puppy Pickles"! I had to watch this video as soon as you uploaded it. Now my wife Donna is watching it from the bedroom and I can hear her cackling and saying, "this is wonderful". You have an open invitation to Apalachicola , I am sure the people there loved the three of ya'll as much as ya'll loved them. If we can ever get down there at the same time, we would love for you to stay with us. We cancelled our first actual camping reservations in our new Travato named "Special K". Every one has to do their part to flatten the curve and just hunker down somewhere. Thank you for all ya'll do!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We can’t thank you enough for your generosity. Apalachicola was one of our places we visited on this years Florida trip and we will definitely go back. We love the name you have your Travato, that is perfect. We hope you are able to get out there and use it soon. Just in case you are wondering we didn’t leave any puppy pickles in your yard 🤣. Thanks again for all your suppot.

[@nbragtop]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Well I will just be dog, excuse the pun. For once I wanted to see a real puppy pickle . Maybe next time when I hope ya'll come back. !

[@TimeoffwithCuzinEddie]

Maggie looked beautiful!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you and we appreciate you watching.

[@myvantirement9073]

Always love your music choices! And the doggie parade was awesome!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate you watching and thanks for the nice comment.

[@jeanjoo1920]

I’m glad you’re safe and sound at home. Love that the parade supports the shelters. Many have closed during the shelter in place and need all the support they can get.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The main reason we participated in the parade was the fact the proceeds went to shelters, it was an awesome experience and for a very good cause. Thanks so much for watching.

[@helendurfee8926]

Always enjoy your videos, but this was great. Maggie was so cute in her outfit & I loved the shot of you all on the tree limb! Thanks for sharing. I needed a smile. 😊

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you for your kind words. We are so glad we were able to make you smile. Stay safe and healthy.

[@wendyrobertson3899]

Thank you for the videos of my home state. Places I've been and visited are near and dear to my heart. One place you might try next winter is in Lee County, Ft. Myers, Manatee Park just a mile or so East of I-75. It's home awesome place and my favorite when it's cold because there are always so many manatees to see. My prayers for y'all are that you're safe during the virus shutdown. Take care and keep the wonderful videos coming. They're so much appreciated

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you for the suggestion for our next visit. We will put it on our list. We appreciate you watching and stay safe and healthy.

[@larryvincent2098]

Another fantastic video!! Maggie looking like a show dog with her costume!! This world is beautiful place with people like you two !! Thank you and be safe from all of us to all of you .

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you so much for those kind words. The world is what you make it, we always try to look at the positive and enjoy everything we can. We hope you stay safe and healthy. We appreciate you watching.

[@sobodon]

Fun to travel along with you. Stay safe.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate you traveling along with us.

[@ottojohnson2374]

We so enjoy your travels and your advice to hunker down. Look forward to your travels resuming and life as we new it.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We hope we are all back to normal and traveling soon, but for now we will be cautious and stay home. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@donnasturkie2971]

Owen, Lynn, and Maggie-so happy to see your trip to Appalachicola and the Forgotten Coast. Your videos were fantastic; felt I was in the van! Hope our driveway was a convenient location. Maggie was so cute in her dog parade costume. Appalachicola is a dog loving place. Saw you ate at the Station and hope you made it to the Owl also. Your trips to St. George Island and Cape Sanblas were lovely; so glad you like the white sands! Hope you will get back to North Alabama area as we have a great mountaintop homesite with beautiful river views awaiting a moochdocking. We truly would love to host you in our home base! Mrs Ragtop.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Your driveway was prefect in every way and we so appreciate your generosity. We were able to walk to town and only wished we would have found the little park at the top of the hill before we were leaving. Apalachicola was a very special stop and I’m not sure we would have stopped there if we didn’t have a place to stay, so thanks again. We did make it to the Owl Cafe and it was great. The dog parade was extra special and Maggie seemed to love it. It sounds like you also have a wonderful place in North Alabama, hopefully we will be able to meet you guys one day and thank you properly in person. Stay safe and healthy.

[@carolkoniecki]

Thank you for your relaxing view into Florida, a favorite destination for me. Maggie's outfit was so cute! Praying you stay safe,too!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so very welcome. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@MemawsMatters]

I always love the trails you go on! We love doing that too. Where do you get your music for your videos from- I like the soundtracks so much. That wind on the beach was crazy; liked the video of the sand blowing. Maggie was cute in the surfer dog parade loved her outfit. Looked like a fun time👍🏻

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I've used a few music services, but now almost all the music unless it's something I've recorded comes from Epidemic Sound. It's a subscription service that lets you use the music royalty free for your channel. Maggie really loved the parade. Great little waterside town.

[@Darceean]

Lynn, did you a chance to see the jelly fish in Seward Alaska? I thought they were actually beautiful!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I did not see the jelly fish in Steward Alaska. I guess it hard fo me to think that it is beautiful because they can cause a lot of pain if they sting you. Owen thinks there beautiful too. Thanks for watching.

[@annsmith6772]

Thanks so much for this video.In the midst of a pandemic it was comforting .Maggie looked so cute in her costume .I travel through your travels Thankyou!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It so hard to believe how different things are right now than they were a little over 3 weeks ago. It makes me realize we shouldn’t take thing for granted. We hope you stay safe and healthy. Thanks for watching.

[@chrisbsworld6634]

Great Video & Message. All of you be safe!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@cynthiaamoruso8968]

We love that area so much. We can't wait to go back, we have reservations for July for a Travato trip, hopefully we'll be able to keep them. Next time, you've got to try Weber's Little Donut shop on SGI, and Up the Creek Raw Bar for oysters, and Owl Cafe Tap Room. Glad you are safe at home.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks for the suggestions. We did go to the Owl Cafe and loved it. We will definitely go back. We hope you get to make your trip in July. Stay safe and healthy.

[@herdfan697278]

I love your Van Trekking Lifestyle hat so when will they be available on your website? By the way, this may have been your best video yet Owen! We are safe at home as well and glad you are too! Best wishes to you and your family and friends as we wait out this high risk time in our history. God’s love to everyone!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Owen just got the hat at the mall and had them embroider it. However we are working on getting some made. We are glad to hear you are safe at home, I think that is the best place for everyone right now. Thank you for your well wishes. We hope you and you family stay safe and healthy. Thanks for watching!

[@jesserevilla992]

Love the music you attach, plays well through the 5.1 here in our TV room..Thats Florida Pine 🌲

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Good to hear you liked the music and it sounded good. Thanks for letting us know and for watching.

[@wendyoxier5897]

Owen, do you sing some of your songs yourself? If so we do love your voice and videos! We can't wait to get on the road ourselves!

[@forreststinnett4123]

You guys have a great channel safe travels. I'm getting ready to head out and do some traveling myself as we get though this crisis. Glad to hear you guys are home see out on the road I hope.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate your kind words. Thanks so much for watching and we hope to see you on the road sometime. Stay safe and healthy.

[@lustraveller717]

Maggie looked so cute in her parade outfit. That looked like fun. I probably won't travel to Florida so it's great to see your videos. I can't wait to see Destin. My daughter and son in law lived there for a while he was stationed there. I was wondering if you missed performing, Owen. I'm glad you are safely home and hunkered down. I live in the San Francisco Bay area and have been sheltering in place for 10 days now. I'll be so glad when this is all behind us. Thanks for the video and stay safe and healthy.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We really enjoyed the parade it was awesome seeing all the dogs dressed up. I also ask Owen if he misses performing, but he always says no, I think he got really burned out the last several years he preformed. I hope he will get back into it one day. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. We hope you stay safe and healthy as well.

[@13Laurba]

Picture on the tree branch was awesome, I would blow that one up (just not to big). :)

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It was... that took some climbing to get that one too. :-)

[@sylviat8461]

This is my area where I travel and work! We live further west along the panhandle. Still trying to talk my hubby into the purchase of a Travato!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

As you can probably tell we absolutely loved this area, you are very lucky. Good luck on talking your husband into purchasing a van. Thanks for watching and stay safe.

[@ClanOfStonemasons]

Hey, really enjoy your videos. We also had a 5th wheel for 12 years, finally sold it last summer...tired of climbing over each other in the double bed up front. We also have a 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins with the DEF. That truck is still ready to pull another 5th wheel should we go that route. But, your videos convinced us to go look at a van just like yours. I drove it and loved the way it feels. We are also considering a Chevy based Forest River Forester...which has more room, larger tanks longer range, and cost less...and a limited slip diff. On the other hand, it is not as nimble and has fiberglass camper construction which eventually will leak. Now, the question, have you considered changing to a small (24 ft) C class? How's that for a wordy comment.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

That’s an awesome wordy comment. I think the interesting thing is many folks are in the same situation as you and us. Been there... done that... big RVs... too big... little van... too little. To answer your question we have many times thought about moving “up” to a small Class C or B+. We have looked Leisure Travel Vans and really like the Island Bed and the Wonder. To be open and transparent we wrestle with space vs. toys and storage a lot. A lot! There are places we have gone that a 25 foot B+ or C would have been more difficult. There are a few places, like stealth camping at the marina in Valdez, that anything bigger than our 21 foot van would just not have worked at all. So, like you guys, we think about that a lot. With the current financial situation in the US with COVID-19 we will likely keep what we have for another year or two,. But sooner or later I think you’ll see us in something else. But... will it be bigger? That’s the question. There’s a chance it could actually be smaller and 4WD. :-). So, yes we have considered a 25ft alternative. Many times. In fact every time we pack up to leave and have to leave our paddle boards, kayaks, big chairs, griddle and other things that would make the destination more fun... we think about it a lot then. But... nimble is really cool! Nimble takes stress away once you leave the driveway. Both can drive. Gas anywhere without worry,. Park anywhere without worry. U-Turn (we do that a lot) on any road, pull down any road even if we don’t know what’s at the end of it, fit in any RV or tent site in any park, hide on the streets if we need to. How’s that for a wordy reply? :-)

[@ClanOfStonemasons]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle that is an xlent and perfect wordy reply. Thanks! Stay safe and healthy.

[@jkickinutube]

Are you practcing social distances? Cheer! Jon

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We are. Safely tucked away in our home. Hope you're safe too.

[@jkickinutube]

God Bless!

[@nbragtop]

Our pastor said this week as we watched on the internet, "That we don't need social distancing, what we need is physical distancing. " It is so important to keep in touch with others by phone or internet, to offer love and support.

[@Van_Liberty]

Hey Owen, did I see correctly that you have a solar panel on top of your AC?? What's the story there?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Yes, you saw correctly. We moved the back solar panel over the AC. This enabled us to put the Thule in the back for more storage. It has worked great. We appreciate you watching.

[@Van_Liberty]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Jed Clampett would be proud...when you get some time, would you please get some close views of how you did this..It's Genius!! LOL

[@byronbrasher8118]

MY relatives in Florida are concerned that so many people heading to FL or ONES THAT already here due to snow-birds -- WELL With this virus attacking people they feel it will put a strain on healthcare facilities and staff ---what is your thoughts??

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

They have a valid concern. Many coming into the state now have to quarantine for 14 days before entering. We have been out of the state since 2/26. One concern is the combination of college spring break along with the older average age of residents. We hope your relatives are safe and healthy. We have been doing our part to do what everyone is being asked to do and staying home. Literally staying home. None of this taking the van out for weekend trips even though that would be fun and probably safe. If everyone would listen it would go away more quickly and we could all get back to life as we knew it.

[@1tpmg]

If your videos don’t make Van life appealing nothing will ! Stay safe.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate those kind words. We realize Van life is not for everyone... but we both love it. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and healthy!