Florida Trail Final Exam

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Let’s give them all a final round of applause: Dixie, MarDe and Aaron 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍‼️❤️

[@strickysbackpackingadventures]

Congrats guys! Another one compete. Super happy for you! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@BigKahunaFL]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍‼️❤️

[@quiqweig13]

Ok, just gonna say this again: I sooooo appreciate the way these videos are shot and edited! So many thru-hiking videos are boring and lame. Nothing but live reads of mile markers and nothing interesting to say. Thank you, Dixie (and MarDe) for taking the time to shoot/explore/explain/edit/and have adventures while you’re on trail. Well done! ...and lastly, I live in Florida and I just don’t have the guts to do what you guys did. The water? Up to your thighs? No thanks. You guys rock.

[@BrainSturgeon]

Agreed! Cinematic

[@thomashughes_teh]

I'm a through watcher of The Florida Trail series.

[@youflatscreentube]

You guys have demonstrated how harsh most of Florida really is. It’s not all sandy beaches and palm trees!

[@JadeAkelaONeal]

Nobody thinks it's like that. We all think of 'Florida man' and alligators. Lol

[@flysubcompact]

Always love Dixie's little critter talks. "Is that your friend or your dinner?"

[@floydvaughn836]

She needs to meet my kitchen window brown recluse. Especially when she comes out to hunt.

[@nana73carol46]

Beautiful ending to a brutal long hike. This is so far the only hike you've filmed that I wouldn't care at all to do. I hate bugs! God bless you both on your journeys in life.

[@agnesskibicka]

@@alexriddles492 sounds just right!! Hello from Poland and my channel 😀

[@gomertube]

Don't hike FL in the warm months, end of April thru Sept. They were hiking the panhandle probably in late May when the biting flies are awful. The rest of the year is beautiful.

[@t.u.5862]

I've not really seen so much nope in a single hiking video before. I mean...its kind of impressive really. Well played Florida. Well played.

[@Bubba6399]

Hahaha I agree. That was a lot of nope. It would be hard to deal with those bugs.

[@plove523]

I’d say you both passed the FT exam. Living here in Florida I am amazed at night hiking in the woods or swamp. I won’t even take out the trash at night without turning on floodlights and sending the dogs out first. Congratulations on a fine finish. All trails are more than just feets on trail. The people along the way make it precious. Your videos are lovely, showcasing the beautiful, the skeery and the down right weird. Keep on walking together.

[@johnalden5821]

"Why not do something crazy for the last couple of nights?" As opposed to the previous 1,000 miles? True grit -- that's all I have to say. You two are tough and no doubt. But you are also so good-natured and optimistic. You set the gold standard for backpackers.

[@chrisr6398]

I think you guys encountered that Florida Man we keep hearing so much about.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

..Chris Rains ....He was on foot (hiking) and found in his tent along the trail..(deceased) ..

[@LemonfaceBeatz]

I came here to post the same comment. I swear the opening here was the most Florida thing ever 😂😂😂

[@jake-gd8rb]

Who mike Perry??? Lol

[@elazarpimentel5340]

The Florida Trail will have a "Before Dixie/After Dixie" effect. So many people are going to do the trail now, more volunteers, trail angels, businesses catering to hikers, it's going to be awesome. Dixie and her boyfriend are so cool. I wish them the very, very best.

[@rachescakes]

The little girl at the end was just precious! Dixie, congratulations on your latest thru hike and MarDe on your first thru hike!

[@anaveragegirlsguidetoafull8353]

I just wanted to say that I have been watching your videos for a little over a year now, and you have inspired me so much! I finally went out and got some gear to begin day hiking, and planning my first hike for the next week. I can't wait to see more of your adventures! (And to make some memories of my own)

[@JamesOfEarth]

Big congrats to you both! Great look at the trail, enough to make me say “oh hell no!” 🍻

[@georgeredbranch652]

First 3 min in, holy creep factor. That was right out of a horror story.

[@floorticket]

Best, most practical channel I've come across in years. Instant oatmeal right out of the single-serve packet. Long titanium spoons. Trail magic/box etiquette. Didn't even know what "trail magic" was until a couple weeks ago. Guthook, zero/nero day, trekking-pole tents and quilts. So caught up now. PCT section out of Tuolumne Meadows soon.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Awesome 🙌🏻 Thank you so much

[@rshoemaker61]

Just completed the series. My goodness you two have amazing fortitude. I enjoyed the series and can cross this off my list. The constant swamps, gators, snakes and other nasties would be too much for me. Thanks for bringing this to the rest of us.

[@PedroNord]

I loved your musical choices throughout and using Clair de Lune to end it all was perfect. This walk definitely sets the record for bugs, birds, beasts, and bushes, not to mention trees, flowers, epiphytes, frogs, and snakes. Many happy trails for Ms. Mills and Mr. Brooks. Thank you for sharing your experiences. 🦋

[@toniagrantham160]

Congratulations on finishing the trail! You and MarDe make a great hiking team!

[@nessazee]

Dixie, thanks for doing what you do. My husband and I are planning to quit our jobs and hike the PCT in a few years 🤘 I wouldn’t have found the guts were it not for you

[@hollyfairchilds9445]

Love the trail magic story! Way to go Buckles!

[@georgebecht6357]

On behalf of the ATCF and the Florida Trail Angel University, congratulations to y'all on the completion of a heroic hike, you have earned the respect of Gators everywhere and have been placed in the Sunshine State's Hikers Hall of Fame". Special shout out to your editor, Erin, what an incredible job he does, you bring us on the trail, Erin takes us along with you. There should be a KZbin Editor's award. I would love to see the outtakes and the rest of the footage on the "cutting room floor", the fun stuff. Well done!

[@kerriwoodbyrne8166]

I am soooo glad y'all hiked this trail because vicariously is the only way I will ever experience it. Many thanks and awesome job, all of you.

[@kimberlyhoward5201]

Congrats to you and MarDe for finishing the trail! Such a great adventure. I'm one of the owners of Back Home Bakery Cafe in Crestview, the blue brick building you walked by in the video (thank you!). Too bad we were closed I think :( I've been following you since the PCT and you guys do such a great job of showing your trail experience! You've definitely encouraged me to check out what's in my area for the FT! Looking forward to your next trail adventure!

[@kennethlovelace9403]

A Huge shout out to your video editor. Does an amazing job splicing all that footage together. Also excellent choice of music, love the Firebird Suite. Now were are you going hiking next?

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Very grateful for him! Not sure where the next hike will be. Coming soon though :)

[@chandaharkins4418]

I really didn't expect to cry this time, but here we are. Gotta go fix my makeup. 😂 Big congratulations to you both! Thank you for being a good soul.

[@cynthiareimer2020]

Woohoo! Congratulations! And thanks so much for taking us along and sharing your wonderful videography.

[@freeradical77]

I've watched all your journeys Dixie but I particularly enjoyed this one because I LOVE Florida. Thanks for sharing! What's next? How about the AZT?

[@dperry7309]

Today I finished the school year doing “distance learning”. Your videos always brought me joy. Congrats on another thru hike. Cheers!

[@AL_theDrifter]

Ya'll walked right behind my backyard at the end, hope you enjoyed our neck of the woods!!

[@Pamnskye]

I've watched all your hikes. You are unbelievable to do these. What an inspiration you are to promote getting outside and enjoying the natural world. My favorite parts are when you talk to all the critters.

[@jameswhitman8710]

As a Floridian, I am so thankful for such an excellent video of Florida country and how you shown that you can too have adventures here. I was especially proud of my fellow Putnam county and how they treated you; got goosebumps. Keystone Heights, Palatka is in my “backyard” living here in Melrose. It was nice living vicariously through your adventure. Take care and Happy Trails!

[@jamesongiamo4932]

Dixie I'm not going to lie I've been one of those people that was like why the heck would I want to walk through swamps. This video totally moved me. This was super rad. I love the music and how you film things in the rate that you changed what you showed. I got chills watching you guys finish. Keep up the great work This was an inspiration for me

[@lindamjustice]

Jessica, I've always been impressed by you and your content. I've watched you since the approach trail at Amicalola Falls. You've made a huge contribution to the hiking community at large. This series on the Florida Trail has been the best thing you've done so far and I just wanted to say Thank You!. Thank you for being an example of a good person doing a hard thing for all to see and admire. We need you.

[@AidaJof]

CONGRATULATIONS Dixie & MarDe. Thank you for taking us along, it was a nail-biter for me because of my fear of snakes. I salute you for this incredible feat well done!

[@RalphReagan]

You said it!

[@stuartb9194]

Its uplifting to see the real country and it's people through your trail, a great celebration of nature and humanity. Bravo!

[@Swimdeep]

So good of you to have met and highlight the trail maintainers. Congrats and I’m glad you enjoyed it🌿

[@4peaceandharmony]

Love that the landed boat was named Andy Dufresne.

[@seazenbones6945]

OMG. That was a fantastic playlist. Binged from beginning to end. Everything KZbin should be! Thank you for sharing this beautiful, natural wilderness.

[@shugemery]

Dixie and MarDe......I TRULY enjoyed eyeballing your traipse and slog through Jurrassic Florida. It was a little reprieve for me nightly and shows so much good stuff in our country. Oh the critter-cam shots made me smile every time. Your commentary is true and real and I thank the wildlife lets you see it so much as you respect them and truly seem to enjoy seeing them. Congratulation time ten on bagging another thru.

[@bbrasky]

I am always moved by the generosity of people who live in the proximity of these trailheads, and know to give backpackers a bump if they happen to see them.

[@edshelnutt1347]

Great recounting of another fabulous trip. Thanks for sharing it with us once again, Dixie and MarDe

[@sherrymoore6853]

I feel so itchy. Gonna go take a shower and lotion up but CONGRATS!!! Y'all were warriors.

[@coughingowloutdoors8579]

What a journey! Thanks so much for packing us all along fir another truly inspirational adventure Dixie.... so much to enjoy. The photography, the editing. The sounds and wildlife. I thibk my favorite things about these adventures is the kindness shown by strangers and how you inspire us all, young and old, to be an active participant in life. Thank you!

[@kerilynnnation820]

Absolutely loved watching your journey!!! So blessed to meet you & Marty!! Anytime you wanna vacay on the east coast, you’re more than welcome to stay with us!!

[@gaiagirlgoesglobal]

6:13 "is that yer friend.......or dinner?" 11:49 "that's a cool lookin' umbrella ya got right there" I just adore the way you interact with the wildlife, Dixie

[@MountainSideProductionz]

You gotta do the Colorado Trail from Late Spring into Fall. See the flowers bloom to the aspens change. It’s amazing. But my yes is still a yes for the Florida trail! Love your videos!

[@dlrohe]

I helped build Two Penny Bridge when I was the FNST Construction Coordinator. Glad to see how well it is holding up.

[@coma718ny]

One of your best videos. Hands down. 30 year Florida native here, transplanted into the N GA mountains... When you said you were going to keep going to the beach your last night "it's 930, but..." , I felt it. Cause I would have done the exact same thing. Congratulations on your journey through the sunshine state

[@jimsmedley234]

Congrats and thanks Dixie and MarDe for sharing your hike with us! Dixie, your close-up shots of the bugs and critters are lovely - you have a great eye for this. Maybe some closer-ups of the gators and snakes next time? Don't worry about the strange fellow at the start of the video, it was just my Representative, Matt Gaetz, after he was left by the young girl he was having a picnic with. Florida Man.

[@ellenderee350]

Great series of video’s of this Florida trail hike. I love the small narratives and short clips of the wildlife, small and big. Thanks 🙏 again Dixie.

[@clark7662]

“Is that your friend or your dinner?” 😂

[@soctnights]

Dixie looked extra gorgeous with her hair up.

[@butchbinion1560]

You’ve come a long way girl and thousands and thousands of miles thanks for taking us along. ✌️👊

[@garthrogers2269]

Congratulations on completing the Florida Trail, Dixie. When the world opens up again, hopefully you can finally come to New Zealand to do the TA. At the moment I live right next door to it, haven't hiked the whole trail myself, but have done sections. You'll love it.

[@joshs3775]

5:35 I see those gnomes in the woods all the time in FL!

[@robinbrown378]

Oh, my gosh! I cried in the end: from completion of another trail, from moving from dark and dank to open blue skies and sunshine, and to an end of all the new and exciting experiences. It has to be bittersweet! CONGRATULATIONS!

[@RidgeWalker8414]

Dixie, been with your every step over the years and you always deliver just what we need. Good job as always and thanks again! Can't wait till next time!

[@davidbidwell8288]

The best hiking documentary on youtube. Thanks so much for posting. God bless ya'll

[@monicafred2619]

Many years ago I volunteered to help repaint fading blazes on the Florida Trail. I was amazed at how much life I saw while I was out there. My wilderness experiences in Florida shaped me more than many other things. You don’t need hills to have amazing hikes. You just need Mother Nature.

[@gwendolynpitts5462]

The Titi loop part is 2 miles from my house in Okaloosa, but so many of my neighbors don't know about it. We hiked it this morning and the spiders and mosquitoes were epic. Thank you for posting video to help folks see another way to enjoy this part of Florida.

[@revjimmyjam3611]

Another trail in the books. To think that it all started a few short years ago when you were nervous yet excited to hike the AT. So glad that you started your journey, and in doing so have inspired so many others to start theirs. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

We have watched all your thru hike series. For a fact you have really matured as a filmmaker. The sensitivity displayed on this Florida trail series is really fine piece of work. Photography editing music narration, really excellent. From both of us-Thanks Dixie!

[@andycole566]

This has been the most professional series I have ever seen on KZbin. It's like a National Geographic documentary. Also, thank you for the information on MT Knives! Happy Trails! Andy

[@richardsteinbergmakingknives]

Really impressive, thanks for taking us along!

[@jackwyland7733]

Congratulations on completing a tough trail. Thanks so much for all you give this community its greatly appreciated

[@jcs1090]

I would have been complaining every single step of the way. Bravo to you both.

[@sweetest1ofall]

Never stop hiking!!! I just love watching your adventures! Dixie is the best!

[@keithbuchanan986]

Exiting video with a well choreographed beginning montage with that smokin guitar. I see that there are black swallowtail caterpillars that far south. You guys are ‘living the life’ and documenting awesome footage for all to enjoy. Congratulations!

[@pbolger16]

Thank you for sharing your trail journey with us. I grew up in NW Florida and it was so great to see the hike through woods I never explored but felt familiar all the same. I love your wildlife shots and your commentary. Congrats to you and Marty on the incredible hike!

[@jhmaddox44]

We call those yellow flies, Deer Flies up north (in NJ, NY & CT anyway). They hurt like hell when they bite.

[@tessbrex3823]

We call them horse flies in upstate New York. Ouch

[@CooterFesf]

@@tessbrex3823 youre calling them the wrong name then. There are horse flies and deer flies. Two different bugs.

[@antsy_does]

There aren't many trails that start in a real swamp and end at the beach. There aren't many trails that are void of mountains and yet will kick your a** in many other ways. There aren't many trails where you can see prehistoric beasts lounging in the sun. There is only one Florida Trail and you're exactly right: it IS Florida's best kept secret. I hope your viewers realize how important land conservation is for Florida's green spaces & our wildlife's survival. Awesome job highlighting our Florida Trail!

[@georgemorrison1888]

An absolute work of art. Brought tears to my eyes.

[@laidbacktraveler2580]

Love the Oakie Creek Symphony! Well done you two - that is one trail that I have no problem enjoying vicariously through your channel!

[@alexwbanks70]

Thanks for taking me along on every one of your hikes. You're awesome!

[@paavoviuhko7250]

I am totally impressed by this whole series. What stands in my memory is you guys tenting right by the roadway and also the comment that if they're not carrying walking sticks then they must be homeless. And so much more. The excellent people you met along the way. Can't forget the Suwannee River Highlands and the Disappearing Creek. I am in happy tears seeing all of this. Thank you.

[@charlesduncan6529]

Gratz Dixie you did it again! Been following you now since right after your AT through hike and have watched all your other hikes since and thanks to you this 63 yr. old man and his wife are about to start their hiking adventure out west here in July, taking an entire month off to go to the Badlands, Apostle Islands, Voyageur Park, Glacier Nat'l Park, Yellowstone and a few others, unfortunately we were to late to get reservations for any of the back country hikes so it will be a mish mash of 2 or 3 day hikes, for now but we'll be back to get to the back country, thanks again and good luck on any future hikes!!

[@joanflemming7131]

Love your videos have you ever thought about coming to Wisconsin and hiking the Ice Age trail

[@davesiegwald]

Thank you guys for sharing your wonderful adventure with us.

[@BackpackingFlorida]

Glad to see my home state is keeping it weird. I'm on mile 428 at Boots Off Hostel. Just had an amazing trail birthday and heading to Damascus!

[@robzingarelli2609]

AAAAHHHh! Back in April I hiked the High Bluff Trail - it's on the salt water about 40 miles south of the FT near Porter Lake - anyway, we got hauled off by the yellow flies. Also picked up a fair crop of ticks while we were at it. Hats off to y'all for staying the course through all the bugs and rain!

[@randyerickson2154]

Can you imagine the first people to hike the trail? Wow. Those are Deer Flies. They are relentless, and will suck you dry. Talk about an adventure. You both are amazing. the best thing is you documented the whole thing. Congratulations to the both of you.

[@kevinmarron7523]

Wonderful showcase of the Florida Trail. Thank you.

[@regis387]

What an amazing journey - and beautifully captured, as always. I can't believe you ran into an AT acquaintance - I actually recognized her. Time to take a well-deserved rest. Thanks guys.

[@chuckreetz2953]

Beautiful man! Thank you!!! Wisconsin, Ice Age Trail. Minnesota, Superior Hiking Trail to Border Route Trail. One’s for the radar!

[@SDSsongs]

Never nighthike in an Air Force base. That's when they let the extra-terrestrials out for their exercise.

[@gregoryemmanuel9168]

Ohfergawdssake that’s hilarious, how come I can never think of stuff like that to say?!

[@WarGuy19]

Ssshhhh, Your not aloud to tell them that. 🤣

[@richardross7219]

Thanks for taking us along. What goes around comes around. Good Luck, Rick

[@jobethk588]

Beautifully edited. Loved the music and the critters and flora and fauna and stars. Oh my.

[@MikeNeri1]

I love these Trail documentaries you've produced and the scenery is beautiful but it's more the way you interact with the "wild" and the amazing people you meet along the way. It's a great reminder of why we hike. Thank you.

[@brianphillips3541]

Sad to see your AMAZING videos of the Florida Trail come to an end!!! Any hints on your plans for your next hike?

[@joeyblueeagle2707]

That was a heartwarming reunion with Buckles.....And the warm reception and hospitality you got from all the other Florida folks whom you met on your adventure - what a magical, fairy tale hike. The beach scene was a nice contrast to the swampy, torturous 1100 hike through the swamplands of Florida. GREAT, GREAT SERIES. CONGRATULATIONS.

[@DG121480]

My favorite part is where they hiked through a swamp. Seriously though, congrats you two!!!

[@ecleveland1]

I've done a lot of forestry work in Florida, control burns, planting new trees, tallying mature forest for harvest, and investment/insurance. I could have planted any of those pine plantations y'all walked through. When you come to a posted sign and a trail marker and there are two different colors or even shades of paint on trees that are side by side. It means that you are on the boundary line of two properties. As long as you stick to, in this case, stay to the left side of the trail paint and you are okay. Florida is not a place to hike in the wild without good bug deterrents, Deet, Off, Chiggaway(redbugs/chiggers), mosquito nets, etc... and don't forget the sunscreen!

[@tuib]

I too, am so excited for you guys.

[@paulbarrett1372]

Another wonderful hike Dixie... Thank you for sharing !!!!!!!!

[@johnmcaree7298]

This is possibly my favourite video series of all your hikes, as it was gritty, blood and guts all the way, yet still good fun. Thank you for showcasing yet another beautiful part of your country. Keep up the good work, stay safe, stay healthy.

[@glenndorsey9068]

WOW!!! I’m so impressed with your hiking, your videography, your openness to people, and your obvious joy of the trail. And the thought of hiking around the Fla swamps at night scares the bejeesus out of me.

[@charleshagman5025]

Dixie, I thoroughly enjoy all of your thru hikes, but ain't now way in the world that I would hike that trail through the swamp. Keep on keeping on.

[@alantillman588]

Wow...What an Amazing Accomplishment Dixie and Marty, Congradulations . Totally enjoyed following ya'lls hike on the Florida Trail. Thanks for sharing your adventure. You guys rock .

[@stephenshepherd4238]

Congratulations and thanks for virtually taking me along on the hike. Reverend Shepherd