I Tent Camped in the Florida Keys & it was AWFUL!

#floridakeys #camping #keywest
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[@standardoverland]

South Georgia girl here- just found your channel and love it! So the secret for no see’ems/gnats is actually a hair sheen spray. ORS coconut oil and avocado oil spray. It’s the ONLY thing that works and the best part is no deet! And it feels great on the skin and smells amazing. You’ll find it in the black hair care section of Walgreens. Best stuff ever.

[@cribbage]

A good reminder that even on a bucket list trip there will be highs and lows. You 2 know how to roll with the punches and will have stories for years to come! Thanks for bringing us along Kelly!

[@vadaboy]

It was fun to see James in a video. Sometimes you are left no choice but to pack up, head for home, get some rest and come out and try again.

[@ljpugsley2757]

Yay...James is with you! Make it permanent, dude!

[@paulinalouise4502]

So nice of James to be with you again. I so enjoy watching your adventures ! Doing them together, I'm sure, makes them more enjoyable......even if you get eaten alive by bugs n attacked by raccoons ! .........Continue to let the "good" times roll ! .........

[@pronetowander2153]

Looks like a nice place when the weather and the bugs are not active, the animals camping are pain in the butt, last night I had five bears in my yard and couldn’t go out of the house but great entertainment Because of these episodes we will laugh and remember have a great day.

[@TropicalParadisebyLisaLisa]

Flick dog shampoo from walgreens in a bottle of water spray the area daytime even your tent . It will keep Mosquitoes and no Sims away away additionally it will keep the ticks and flee away as well when your hiking spray on you. Works well. 🐾🐾🐾🦞🐍🦟🦟🦟🦟

[@kellyhays23]

I will have to try this! thank you!

[@markcrabbe8316]

Thank you for allowing me to come along with you on your adventures. I'm not able to physically do own adventures any more but your videos are awesome. You are a genuine and honest person who makes going along with you so enjoyable. Thank you!

[@jimschlabachpeacefuloutdoo7327]

Enjoy the journey. Hang in there. You are living the dream.

[@donrobinson5540]

Sometimes the worst times are the ones we remember the most!😂

[@RickINFJ]

Good lord Kelly! Dang bugs! I've run into raccoons in the bush. One growled at me like a large dog! Beautiful footage though Kelly. Your multitude of bites wasn't in vain. You and James literally put your blood sweat and tears into this adventure! Take care y'all!

[@holgerroth441]

I experienced the insanity of those little tiny mosquito on Sanibel Island about 10 years ago. I had forgotten about them but after watching your video the memory was right back. Nasty little flies! 😅

[@suzanholder2525]

My brother. Lived in marathon, sunshine key,big pine key.i have been down to the keys every year for 5 years back in the 80's seen jimmy buffett at his Margarita Ville place and Mallory square went snorkeling!! Ah what memories

[@shellie-]

I ❤ the keys! So much more than you caught on this video. But still you and James in the keys! Heck yeh!❤️💯

[@michaelturner41]

Love spending time with you. You are awesome.

[@kellyhays23]

thank you michael!

[@chrismcelroy5193]

Cool video. Lived in Sebring for many years. The Keys are beautiful but the bugs not so much. Glad you showed the reality of camping in the Keys. Hope y’all stopped at Robbie’s 🐟

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Garlic and onion are medicine as well as food and/or spice. I have noticed, since I'm usually camp cookie, that the meats, pasta dishes, casseroles I make, those participants have much less bug "issues" than another group a hundred yards away. Generally much healthier as well, I had a couple tell me they didn't do mustard when I served up some brats, told them it's great for your internals and they loved the 1000 calorie tater casserole I had made. During the expedition the wife told me her husband had stopped taking all his prescriptions and she said he thought it was just less stress. I asked them both if their activity level and much improved diet might be a suspect. Olive oil, honey, garlic, stone ground mustard, sauteed mushrooms with the perfect Ribeyes, they noticed bugs would chew on everyone else but our group, I told them that's called a clue...

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Yep, you found out about hurricane prep and Florida bugs/critters all in one miserable weekend!🤣

[@sgbawg0]

Yep.... a friend and I went Kayak Fishing and when we were gearing up, we were swarmed by noseeums. Tip. They hate menthol. So get some bengay, or vicks vaporub, or icy hot or whatever and slather yourself with it, and they will leave you alone.

[@kellyhays23]

!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this

[@danielcgomez]

Ouch! I think those annoying tiny bugs are called Midgies ...real annoying little F___rs! ...Glad you guys got to spend some time together tho! Hi James!

[@brianalbern9373]

Girl, I’ve camped at campground 700,000 times. It is beautiful and welcome to the keys where you got them fleas all the time. Love your show. I love your show.

[@vibesaquatics]

Just found your channel! Love the koi fish! I’ve got a koi pond in my backyard! Enjoy your passion for the outdoors! Thanks for taking us along on the journey 🙏🏾❤️🤗

[@johng7872]

Kelly and James, Avon skin so soft original body lotion works great for no seeums. I live in South Florida and have successfully used it. Especially in the Keys! Good luck on your continuing adventures!

[@gracemccoy2874]

Oh my goodness that lizard was a big fella! And the lad climbing the hydro lines haha hilarious! They climb like squirrels!🤣 Aren't the coons amazing little critters lol get into anything! So nice to see you and James on the road again!

[@sharonfaithhunter9389]

I visited Florida one time, and that was enough. The only thing I remember about it was the constant off and on rain showers, extreme humidity, and BUGS! I used a machine for a can of Coke and when it came down there was a bug as long as the can on top of it!

[@kellyhays23]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

😂yep, just not a camping trip without a coon or skunk invasion. We had a skunk this weekend trying to swim across the pond towards us. I had to throw firewood at it so it would turn around 😂 Great video

[@timkrause5081]

Beautiful camera work Kelly!! Love the Keys........not the bugs!! Enjoyed watching your video!!

[@deshawniskeng-mixedmediatv]

I can never get enough of your video content your so so gorgeous your adventures are awesome too...

[@813kengarcia]

Oh man I was loving this trip, until...yeah. Stinks you all went through it but we all do. My buddy kept bugging me to go camping with him and we did. At Fort Desoto. In June. Well we ended up the same way as y'all. I don't camp in the summer anymore in FL. Haha!

[@kellyhays23]

hahah smart man!!

[@FLAlocal]

Yeah. You can only camp like November to (maybe) March but then you are pushing it with the ticks in the woods.

[@813kengarcia]

@@FLAlocal definitely! I want to get a few trips in soon.

[@dorothydavenport8835]

Yes, the no see ums are a nightmare in the keys. We were tent camping on Sugarloaf key at the koa for 5 days (Oct 16 to 21, 2022). We ended up finding a usb rechargeable bug zapper (bought 2 of them) at Publix. Those little zappers worked amazingly well. It's called the PIC 2 in 1 portable bug zapper.

[@donhuntsinger2424]

Probably my favorite KZbin channel I’ve found in awhile.Dig it.

[@jasonjones5213]

We've got noseeums in Montana too.Probably to cold right now though.The raccoons raise hell here too.Love these Florida videos.

[@williambranham6249]

I've had several trips to Fla. Fortunately most between December and April. Not too bad as far as bugs and only one trip did I sleep in tents. The tent trip was a seven day kayak trip in the Everglades Nat. The raccoons did not pester us but as soon as we landed on an island-sandbar they went shopping in our kayaks. I have experienced a horrible trip to Outer Banks of NC in October. The bugs were extreme and a sandstorm drove us into our vehicle so we could eat and sleep. Kelly, a picture of those bug bites should be posted on bill boards at the Ga. Fla. line as a warning. If you've never experienced Fla bugs go once for the memory. I too have hiked the AT and fortunately mosquitoes don't seem to like me as much as my wife. However the black fliies will bite anybody. They were very aggressive in the NE states in May June. Sorry you guys had a rough time. The video was great.

[@zzlee14]

You need a tent with no soseium nettingt. I takes Big Aagness of my tent list.

[@funtimevideos2160]

Sorry about the camping experience but it did make for a good video. Key West is a cool place with a unique vibe all it's own. Oh and you and James make the cutest couple !!!

[@kellyhays23]

Hahaha thank you so much!

[@indiecomics]

This is pretty much most of my camping trips in Florida haha

[@chadhumchitt2154]

Thanks for being so real! Love it! :)

[@joedygert4362]

the Florida trail start at the buoy you can hike it all the way to the AT

[@kellyhays23]

Yes. It is on my list!

[@steve9584]

Man it makes me so sad to hear the guy they stopped the railroad. It was actually completed and ran for a number of years, but was destroyed and not rebuilt after a horrible hurricane in 1935.

[@Golfpt62]

OMG what a trip. You just gotta laugh

[@ladytrekkeradventures8376]

Welcome to South Florida. Home of noseeums, iguanas, and Cuban refugee escape vessels of many different designs. Lol.

[@kellyhays23]

hahahahah the cuban vessels were fascinating! can't believe how they make them and that they make it that far

[@An9eL_C]

Used camp there in the mid 90's as a teen and it was our favorite spot as every site had a water view. Unfortunately hurricane Irma closed the whole west side down. Best time to camp is January especially with a cold snap as the no see ums will only be there during dusk and dawn. Best of times even using a paddle boat to catch & cook and we also had our food bags raided by Racoons. Thank you for sharing and bringing the memories back...

[@sammymartinez556]

👋👋 Happy Monday my friends 😊

[@kellyhays23]

Happy Monday!!!

[@FishingTheBank]

That’s my lake placid Wawa . Cool beans. I hate going to Walmart In Sebring, we always head up Avon Park…

[@amenamen8125]

Enjoy your life ❤

[@johndonahue4777]

I noticed the boat people got the hell outta there. Literally in the sticks. It didn't look good right away.

[@annebonny8865]

I tent camped at the first stop also... noseeums were so bad, they sell a small bottle of noseeums spray in most local hardware stores along US 1 all though the keys, works great....because I live in Florida I keep a couple of bottles in my vehicle....great video....enjoy 🏕

[@kellyhays23]

Def could have used a bottle of that! Lol I’ll def remember for next time!

[@rockercover]

You both were in a bug and animal battle. How some of the prettiest places are inhospitable at times . What an adventure ending twist, that was unimaginable, when you started out. (More likely a chance of a strong storm). 😅

[@edfrhes]

If you can get a camp site with electric bring a few decent fans.. Wind helps a lot for no see ums.

[@charmaineslater7632]

😂🤣😅😆 you both are Great!

[@brucemartin6895]

Satisfying your spirit of adventure is worth the misery..I live in Pensacola and the bugs are same .

[@dbaktx]

Yeah. Same thing happened to me and my daughter back in the mid 1980's. Spent one of the most miserable nights ever in the car with the windows up... temp in the 90's, humidity in the upper 90's... no sleep. Noseeums small enough to go through mosquito netting making our tent useless. Not sure which Key we were on just north of Key West.

[@randybeeson3424]

Lifelong Floridian here, Thermocell works great if stationary but doesn't work for gnats. We don't camp in the hot months without a fan or AC. If temps are above 78, it's too warm to sleep. It's usually October before we backpack, kayak or stealth camp, but your usually good to mid may. Winters are wonderful. I could have told you the humidity and seafleas would be bad, especially down there I'm in NE Fla.

[@kellyhays23]

Yeah never again in the summer

[@randybeeson3424]

@@kellyhays23 Only 1 suggestion. Ginnie Springs. They're lit up all night so you can jump in before crashing and will be cool to sleep. Then when you get up sticky go jump in again. You better not leave Florida without going there! Other springs aren't lit up all night like the 7 clear springs at Ginnie.

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

I was in south Florida once. Stayed in Ft Lauderdale with my sister in law. I tried to go to the Keys but there was a fatality wreck on the highway and they turned us around. But what little I saw was amazing. I would love to go back one day.

[@Swearengen1980]

Just go in the winter. Florida in general is pure hell in the summer, but the keys (while beautiful) are simply miserable.

[@tblmt]

LOL yeah I am from the Keys. You can only tent camp there during cold front season. I bet that was super uncomfortable!

[@jasonpotter3383]

The railroad went all the way to Key West, they tore it up when they stop going down there. I can’t believe you hiked the entire Appalachian trail, I would love to do it but after all my surgeries from the VA I couldn’t do it now. You should’ve stopped in Islamorada at ricks and feed the tarpon.

[@sgbawg0]

Walmart tip. If you have less than 20 items, and if the department is staffed you can check out at the Sporting Goods, Electronics, or Jewelry counters. They are usually nobody in line. I do it all the time.

[@kellyhays23]

Great tip! But trust me there was a huge line back there too. I’ve never seen anything like it that night. This is the southern most Walmart in the US so apparently it is always busy like that. We chatted with the cashier about it haha

[@timfields6130]

Loving the Florida series, Kelly. I know I have said this before, but I highly recommend "Captain Ron's All Natural Insect Repellent". As for the Thermacell, they work, but not great in any wind. I would have put that in my tent and let it do it's thing at least 30 minutes before getting in tent. Keep up the great videos and Happy Halloween! 🦇

[@kellyhays23]

Yeah I’m def going to pick up a bottle of that for the next camping trip!

[@timfields6130]

@@kellyhays23 Just remember to shake the bottle before each use to mix the botanical oils. The good thing is, it's not oily after applied. Great for the skin and smells pleasant.

[@Blackbears00]

Avon skin so soft keeps noseeums off

[@fitnessfreak498]

cool video , im surprised it sliped under my radar , from alaska to key west

[@Dzanadomars]

Florida very nice ♥️ ...

[@laurakilmer8652]

Another place where no see ems are bad is Brunswick Georgia Jekyll Island. Dont go there except maybe the winter. We were in a pop up and we left eaarly and came home.

[@frankgallo2946]

I grew up camping in the keys. You definitely went camping at the wrong time of year there and you stayed smack in the wrong area , too close to the water. I’m impressed you stayed past dark

[@sapoverde65]

winter time is the best time if you can primative camp on the beach, campsites behind the dunes you are on the menu for the bugs.

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Screw the bugs and humidity, that's why I moved back to the Rockies a mile high at least. Worked in the heat in the eastern swamp of NC and TN, beautiful country but miserable in the summer (5 months a year), coming from the high and dry my whole life, it was full time miserable as a welder ...

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Oh and the high calorie, can't stop eating it "tater casserole" for ten includes a half cup of stone ground mustard, a pound of hot NM green chili, olive oil, honey, pound of sour cream , half pound of grated sharp cheddar , medium onion diced and of course the pork and/or beef products. Jet fuel Kelly, happy trails y'all..

[@Go-zi1py]

Florida's version of Standing Bear on the AT.

[@justsmitty1709]

If you make it back to the Keys I highly recommend the Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island. Get the hogfish !!! Off the beaten path but great grub. Did the no see ums tear up James?

[@kellyhays23]

He got kinda tore up, but I got that sweet blood so they hit me much harder!

[@justsmitty1709]

Kinda what I was thinking ....

[@MakeupByIrene1]

Sebring Walmart is horrible! I hate going in that one. (Well all of them) but Arcadia & Wauchula is probably the least busy around here. You definitely had a memorable weekend! Lol We camped in the same park a few years ago but we was in an RV! It was mosquitoes that we got attacked by! I’m originally from the Midwest. Bugs are nothing there like they are here in Florida!

[@stevetrimborn3739]

I had to drive to the Wauchula Walmart for TP and Paper Towels once during the pandemic. I hit up the Little Caeser's in that complex while I was there too. I live outside of Tampa. Lol

[@sammidross]

Love the Wauchula Walmart...not usually as busy as Sebring...one would think adding the one in Avon Park would help some of the lines, but guess not...I love the Taco place near the end of that shopping center...yummy

[@1320trail]

What time of year was this? I know the video was uploaded in October. Could a different time during the year be better in terms of noseeums?

[@thecrankster4162]

Awesome vid

[@williamrizzo1285]

🤣 LMAO, we live in Marathon. Skin so soft works great to keep the noseeums away.

[@ellinchurch]

Hope you are enjoying your time in FL😀. I lived there for 17 years and couldn’t wait to leave. Too many bugs, snakes, and too hot. And way too flat. We Re mountain people, not beach people😏

[@Havanorange]

There are sand fleas in beach sand. Mostly they only come out at night. Set up your tent or hammock in a grassy area at least 50 feet away from the sand, and you'll be ok. I learned this as a kid when we went tent camping in the Florida Keys.

[@kellyhays23]

These were noseeums that got us not the sand fleas

[@vibelife5133]

I've had similar experiences down there with no see ums. Absolutely brutal.

[@RobertLW]

Do you think doing this in May is a mistake? Camping included?

[@TroyChurch313]

I dig the occasional Grateful Dead interludes!

[@stretch1151]

The no see-ums might have been Blind Mosquitos. They are a pain in the butt! The County fogs for them here in Polk County two or three times a year,

[@kellyhays23]

They are hands down my least favorite insect ever

[@jddj3838]

Thanks!

[@kellyhays23]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jddj3838]

Great videos! Love your adventures! Was curious do you edit your own videos?

[@kellyhays23]

yes i do it all!

[@jddj3838]

@@kellyhays23Well you're doing a great job. I'm just starting to learn how to edit.

[@marysalmon2367]

love key west, that restaurant looked like Blue Heavan, and you seemed to be in the neighborhood of the Hemingway house. best food ever in key west. so the park ranger warned you about the maybe storm but not the raccoons and bugs. Good to know to stay away. Unless you have an RV and it might be doable, but I bet those raccoons would still be a problem.

[@kellyhays23]

Hahahah they were insane

[@305miamifishing9]

Welcome to South Florida. Lol, not ready for the wild life. 😂

[@joycebricker3814]

The iguanas get huge! I I bicycle friend had one dart in front of him hit it . Spent the rest of a week long vacation on crutches

[@kellyhays23]

Oh my gosh!!!! Lol

[@HeatherMizzell]

I use to go down there 2 times a week the skeeters and no seeums will drag you off 😂

[@jamicrawford6729]

Those are black flies. The marines fight them at basic here in South Carolina at Paris Island. They run along coastal areas and are pretty hard to kill. All the top sprays I’ve used backpacking didn’t effect them when we were camping along the coast line either

[@kellyhays23]

Never heard of noseeums called black flies

[@jamicrawford6729]

@@kellyhays23 they go by many names in South Carolina “sand gnats, biting midges, sand fleas, sand flies, black flies, no-see-ums, peskies, or steel tooth; just call them an annoyance”. That’s straight off the Paris Island website her in SC. They will tear you up along the coast lines. From personal experience from living here so long and visiting about every costal area in the southeast through my lifetime, they seem worse after hurricanes for some reason. They aren’t friendly little creatures to anyone

[@Ranger830]

As a Native we never camp during warm months! Ever! Nov- Mar and you will have a much better experience! No Hurricanes,no bugs and weather is cool and much less Humid. You are Brave for trying lol 😂

[@philwistrom9200]

Making memories!!

[@laurakilmer8652]

Those things go right thru screens

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Forgot the quarter pound butter and spices, enjoy at 350° for about two hours, last half hour uncovered..cheers

[@user-David-Alan]

Glad you got to Key West but, sorry about your camping experience. I had a run in with a racoon in Canada, they can be nasty. Take care and stay well. There is a lot of repellents for no--see-ums.

[@kellyhays23]

Oh no! Hahah we will have to pick up some of that spray for next time

[@nomadikmind3979]

that taco shop was adorable

[@chrissaunders8284]

Misery today is often a hilarious adventure tomorrow. It is great to see James. Let us know when the date is. How was the actual stay at Whoville? It looked cool, but you didn't mention how it was the next morning. Also, "The racoon charged me." Yeah, It sound like it charged you a pack of shrimp for the pleasure of visiting his turf.

[@sandrap3047]

I hate noseeums! I live in Hilton Head, SC. We get them in the spring. Their bites hurt too. I’m sorry y’all had such a bad night in the Keys. I did have to laugh though when you said the raccoons stole James’ shrimp & one of the raccoons charged him. I’m sorry but I couldn’t help it! 😊

[@dongray2349]

The weather hardly ever gets cold enough kill the bugs in the Keys. Skeeters don't bother me but those little shits get to me too.

[@steveisenburg7953]

What was the name of the restaurant that you ride out that was by the waterfront

[@stevetrimborn3739]

OMG, y'all are too funny. James looked traumatized when y'all took off. If you wanna see an amazing night sky not too far from you, hit up Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

[@cherylmartin5685]

Hank's is our favorite spot in KW

[@agpawpaw5912]

Mosquitoes kick me out in the middle of the night from Everglades camp

[@WayneRasband]

Thanks!

[@cwesley2005]

I love how james is eating in 99% of the videos!Lol

[@ileacrum8357]

What month were you there?