OUR ORU KAYAKS MADE THIS FUN!! || John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Kohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the Florida Keys! Hard to get campsite? YES! Long drive to get there? YES!! Worth it? YES!!!! If you're close to our age you know the song... Key Largo... that's where I want to go... Well, so does everyone else for many reasons. It's beautiful... it has a great vibe... there's lots to do here... there's great food too. Which all equates to HARD TO GET A CAMPSITE HERE! But... we were lucky enough to book a few days here on our way to the lower keys, once again thanks to Campnab. We enjoyed taking our Oru Lake folding kayaks out on the paddling trails where we saw lots of wildlife, including sharks, rays, barracudas and lots of fish. But what we saw that evening after a rainstorm was one of the coolest things we've ever seen.
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[@cthompson4583]

Your happy dance made me happy.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

So glad a goofy old man dancing makes you smile.

[@judystreich7333]

The most fortunate rv’ers out there aren’t out there driving the most expensive rigs. The happiest and richest people are the ones sharing their experiences with their loved ones, be it human or pup. Time, the most precious commodity we will ever regret not having enough of. Enjoying your journey.❤

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Very well said, thanks for sharing.

[@David-jo4gt]

Thank You for taking us along! Great state park and seeing the manatee was extra special. Tell Maggie that we will never speak of her rolling off the kayak, no one saw it. It didn't happen. Happy tails and safe travels.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We didn’t get Maggie rolling off the kayak so you are right it never happened. It did scare us a little since they post everywhere there are alligators. Thanks so much for following along.

[@wendyrobertson3899]

SO glad you chose to go US41 then Krome Avenue! That's where I grew up as a kid under the age of 12. Hunting, fishing and playing with baby gators were a daily fun thing for us kids! I carried a rifle from age 5 with me every time we hunted off the end of Bird Road back in the 60's. Krome Avenue was our you pick gardens and Robert's store was our Sunday treat of ice cream and walking around the free petting zoo in the back. The First Baptist Church of the Redlands was our church and after church we explored the area by horse as a family. Our Sundays were the best day of the week being able to ride miles and miles of farm fields to say hi to all the families from church on horseback. Some of the best years of my life were spent in the Redlands and Homestead back when there were few and far between houses and businesses. We rode horse all the way to the keys as a family vacation. 8t took us 2 weeks and our food was what ever we caught fishing along the way. Back when Big Pine Key only had 3 houses and some of the keys along the way were completely uninhabited, lol. Nothing like today with no where to even stop on the side of the road.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

What a wonderful memory!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[@bertkelly7650]

Lynn and Owen! Yay! Doing my happy dance!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

So glad you are dancing too.

[@ramonadefore5180]

Sure love your videos! Warm, and down to earth people!! Hope to someday meet you on the road! Safe travels! Love Maggie, she is one lucky pup!!💜

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks you so much for your sweet comment. One of our most favorites things to do is meeting people on the road.

[@kellywakefield2610]

It was a pleasure meeting you guys. We also loved our stay in Key Largo. Keep Riding Rad. See you on the road again sometime. Kelly and Keith Wakefield

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You might see us at St Andrews!! 😂😂😂👍

[@joeyeubanks5965]

I really enjoy watching your videos. I've found it's better watching on a computer, and even better watching on a big-screen Smart TV. Keep 'em coming.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks, that is good to know.

[@Kim-SCUSA]

The way you breezed past that Yeti display made me gasp. 😂

[@cathymisze3163]

We enjoyed Pennekamp so much and loved the bike riding in the area.

[@sherriweber7105]

Seems like a nice park. Nice it rain and cooled it down a bit. It’s warming up again here after having 70 degrees on Saturday it got windy and cold again. Now today it’s nice.

[@kathyball554]

Y'all are the perfect couple. Makes my heart smile.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are too sweet. Thanks for your comment.

[@sherriweber7105]

That was so cute seeing the manatee. Especially like you said holding its head for a long time like that. They are so cute. Maggie the look on her face. It says it all. Lol!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It was really special for us to see the manatee.

[@sherriweber7105]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle I love manatees! Glad you saw it for a little bit.

[@pattyk8594]

Maggie has the best dog life traveling with you two! Thanks for taking us along!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

She makes it a lot of fun for us too.

[@barbaraw.3236]

Our friend Captain Kevin was the snorkel boat captain for many years there at Pennekamp.Looks like you had a great time. We have visited there and I did the glass bottom boat while Jim snorkeled. Great time. Thanks for the video!!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome and thank you so much for watching.

[@jerlynhill4074]

Hello, happy to see you guys, and Maggie

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Hi to you, thanks so much for watching.

[@sherriweber7105]

Glad you you found a great place to have great milk shakes. Glad Maggie was alright just wet after falling in the water. Funny she rolled around in the dirt. Dogs do funny and cute things fun part we get to clean them up. Lol!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie has required alot of baths on this trip.

[@itchingtogo7362]

Took glass bottom boat tour of the reef years ago. Absolutely breathtaking!!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

One of these days we need to do that. It sounds like an awesome thing to do.

[@fbr65]

That burger looked fantastic!!

[@randyholloway920]

I love-love-love Maggie! ♥️ 💜 ❤️

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

So do we… Thanks so much for watching.

[@sandrap3047]

Aww, that Owen is such a sweetie pie! Heard Robert has the best milk shakes ever! Smart manatee! You guys are making me nervous with Maggie in the kayak with alligators around. They are in any body of water. It doesn't matter if it's brackish, salt or how big the body of water is. DNR guy told us once if there's water, then there's an alligator in it. An alligator came out of a lagoon here on Hilton Head to get a friend's Lab. He pulled the dog under the water and drowned him. Another alligator came out of another lagoon and grab a freind's pomeranian. Her 10 year old son went in after him and hit the alligator on his snout. The gator let the pup go. He survivied, but barely. Be safe with your sweet girl!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks for all the great info. We do try to be careful with the places we take Maggie but you just never know. We do appreciate your concern.

[@jillcarlson2076]

OMGOODNESS! This was a beautiful video. The way you both lean into each other while walking. My pleasure in life is waking up to such a wonderful husband and enjoying our lives together! Love you both and Maggie too! Be safe. 🥰🙏💕

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you for your sweet comment. We appreciate you watching.

[@joycemoses2411]

We stayed at a private campground near the JP Coral Reef State Park because the state park was full. Congratulations on getting a spot. The manatee was awesome!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We got lucky this time getting a spot there. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rvingsooz]

Beautiful!

[@dennysisk1100]

Burgers look good. The manatee was pretty cool.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks, we appreciate you watching.

[@michelgariepy2521]

great video again. Ananas (french!) in burgers, you are wild!!! take care , bonne journée!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much for the French lesson. 😘

[@davidroddy2012]

Owen, thanks for doing the extensive campground ratings/reviews

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome.

[@LucklessGun]

a grout sponge or car wash sponge would be a good thing to keep on those kayaks. easy way to bail out water while using them.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Great idea, thanks for the suggestion.

[@kathigee]

mmm that burger!! (my fave part is watching you cook!). cool to see the Manate too! Enjoy your trip!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much.

[@larryvincent2098]

Enjoy your channel and charming comments!! BS & BK & BC

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much!

[@sherriweber7105]

I love the smell of the Forest when you hike. I wander what it smelled like. I saw that banana top at the store you were in my sister and I saw .5 guys when we went to Wendy’s one day a few weeks ago that wire that same shirt it must have been some club they were in we thought. Maggie looks so cute in a life jacket. She loves being with you that’s for sure in the kayaks. Such a great dog she is. I hope you both have a great week and see you soon!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

That is too funny that there were 5 guys wearing that same shirt. I think you are right they use have been in a band or something.

[@sherriweber7105]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ya that’s what we’re thinking! It was funny too see that with them wearing that shirt.

[@susanstrickland6774]

Love the Keys. Agree, most of FL St Pks are a bit harder to get into. Poor Maggie, glad she was ok. Have you fed the fish at Robbie's? A treat to see the Manatee. You had a happier happy dance with the Key burger, lol. 🙂👍

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We thought about stopping a Robbie’s, but we didn’t do that this time. It is a fun thing to do. The happier dance might have been related to where we were too.

[@kjlcycler]

Poor Maggie! I’m in Inverness Florida this week cycling and sightseeing.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I don’t think Maggie ever minds getting in the water, we were probably more concerned than she us. Sounds like you are having fun in Inverness.

[@cathybock-rp2gb]

Always enjoy your videos. My husband spoke to y'all at John Pennekamp, sorry I didn't get to say hello.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

So sorry we missed you. We appreciate you following along.

[@vancandew7375]

Your happy dance is getting really good you might want to consider getting on dancing with the stars ⭐️ 😂❤, Being in kayak is Lynn ever afraid of the gators 🐊?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

That’s really funny… Owen on dancing with the stars 🤣. In an upcoming video we kayaked at Mayaka river and I was really nervous seeing over 40 alligators. But is was an adventure for sure.

[@vancampingsundowner5028]

As always another nice video, don’t know if you knew it or not but the boat African Queen in docked in Key Largo, same one that was used in the 1951 move of the same name with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Good for a quick side stop if you liked the movie, it was a great movie if you didn’t see it you can find it on KZbin

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks for the info. I wish we would have known that while we were there. We will put it on the list for next time. I love that movie.

[@leonbraithwaite4853]

Make sure you go to the no name pub. It is a destination. It is on Big Pine Key.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We did go there and you are correct is a destination. It will be in the Curry Hammock video.

[@ladikmk]

John Pennekamp SP is such an amazing park, and it is definitely all about the water. Quite a few years ago that’s where I had my scuba certification dive out on the reef. The manatees are such gentle creatures, and so cute with their whiskery faces. So glad you enjoyed one of my favorite places and you’re on to Bahia Honda - another of my favorites as well. Safe travels and stay well. Tell sweet Maggie we didn’t see a thing. :)

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It is two of our favorites too. That’s awesome you have your scuba certification and what a great place to get certified.

[@MikeWallace61]

Need some more of your music on the channel.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks, glad you like Owen’s music.

[@byronbrasher8118]

nice seeing you at grayton state park

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We always love meeting our subscribers. Thanks so much for following along.

[@richardburguillos3118]

Thanks for another fun adventure and taking us along. Maggie must have been surprised her dream of swimming was real! Great location. Another one for the list. Love the shot of Maggie in the rear view mirror… Best wishes till the next one…

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome and thank you so much for following along.

[@lisabritt4284]

Glad Maggie is ok! Thanks for another great one y’all have a good day😊

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome and thank you for watching.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

We stopped at that produce stand. It’s a Florida icon. We got a milkshake too. Pretty good too. I wandered out back and was petting the animals. The bird cage with the parrots was cool too. Nice campground too 👍🏼

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I loved the bird cage with the beautiful birds but it wasn’t great for videoing. It is a place to we also try to stop at. We appreciate you sharing your comment.

[@robertparry3476]

Thanks for letting me come along along with you. Looking forward to your places you visit in preparation for our next winter trip to FL when we will stay around a lot longer.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks so much for following along. Glad we can help with your upcoming trip to Florida because we do the same type of research.

[@mikemanjo2458]

Hey Friends! Happy Sunday! Those tomatoes looked beautiful! Thanks for bringing us along this week. The manatee was such a sweet surprise. I would have been scared to death to have Maggie in the water!😳 So glad you got her out quickly. Y'all have a great week! Those burgers looked great. Much love from SC, Jane❤🙏((🐾))

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie rolling in the water scared us too. We were able to get her back in the boat pretty quickly. She’s getting more use to the boats and has found a comfortable spot in the back laying on a life jacket. Thanks so much for watching,

[@bchlvrbob]

Great video guys. Discovered the keys and John Pennecamp about 25 years ago, even though I’ve been several times, your video makes me want to go again…and again. Key West used to let us park RV down by the beach in parking spaces FREE, from Christmas to New Year’s Day. That of course ended 20+ years back. For an old NC mountains Hillbilly, my memories are priceless from all the RV adventures.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

What great memories… thanks so much for sharing. From one NC mountain hillbilly to another.

[@BeckyLL]

If the alligators eat those precious manatees, I am gonna come down and punch those 🐊in the nose and then make shoes out of them!! Maggie being carried like luggage by Lynn is everything!!! ❤️🐾

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank goodness for the handle on Maggie’s life jacket. It did help her not to get even more Sandy. Her enjoying the water is a good reason for her to get a bath.

[@BeckyLL]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle We used to have those same life jacket for our fellas also because we had a swimming pool for 8 years. 😊

[@FollowThomas]

That's so cool seeing a Manatee.👍 It's a beautiful state park and a nice trail. I walked that trail last time I visited this park in Key Largo.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The manatee was super cool, I could have watched him forever.

[@suefletcher6688]

Awesome video! Loved it and a new recipe to try 😅

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I’m (Lynn) is not sold on putting pineapple on a burger, but Owen like it.

[@suefletcher6688]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle I like it too! We call it Hawaiian Burgers. They are made with Pepper Jack cheese and grilled pineapple. Yum!

[@keithmask87]

Another great video and another place to put on the must do list. I really like the campground rating system, very informative.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks for letting us know you like the rating part of our videos.

[@sylviat8461]

We are hoping to go for our 45th wedding anniversary in February. I’m concerned with snowbirds still in the area and not getting a site anywhere. We also have a Class C (B+ really) and no tow vehicle, just eBikes.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It is hard to get a site in most Florida SP’s in the winter. Good luck and congratulations on 45 years, that is awesome.

[@dianabalto]

That cheese burger most have delicious ! $43 per night ! That is expensive !

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It is the Keys. Thanks for watching.

[@smoreadventures]

Great video! I could tell you really loved that warm weather! Question: When you kayak through the canals, are alligators a danger? Could they flip you? Not sure I could get past my fear! But it looks soo relaxing!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We did not see any alligators here. From our experience alligators want bother you if you don’t bother them. However, Maggie might look like a tasty meal so a lot of time we have to leave her in the RV.

[@ricksmith6537]

🕺🏾😀

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

👍

[@greygooseadventures5212]

Hey, lots of kayak time, so what happen to the broken strap on the one I was in? Did you get it fixed? The manatee was very cool. Down from us there is a neighborhood dock that Juanita has run a hose onto a manatee. He drank that fresh water up. Another great vid.. ❤❤

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Owen did fix the kayak and so far it is holding up well. That is pretty cool that Juanita is watering the manatee, I’m sure it’s amazing to watching.

[@michaelbecnel63]

Looks like the place to be if you're into water activities. It looks like this week's video will probably cost me some money....my wife saw the kayaks for the first time and said I think I'd like to look into those....Happy Trails 🐕

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

They are a lot of fun. We will do a review of the kayaks soon.

[@meadowbrookguideservice8359]

Maggie is too cute! Thank you for another great video. Would love a review on your kayaks.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We talk about the kayaks a lot in upcoming video’s but we will try to do a full review. I will say they are not the best at tracking, we did add a fin to the bottom and that helped a lot. But for the ease of putting them together and being able to store them in the Ekko they are worth some of the short comings. We’ll go into more detail in the review.

[@meadowbrookguideservice8359]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Thank you

[@granddaddyrap]

Great video. Maggie better stay out of that water. Who was the female singer on this video. Wife thinks it is your wife’s voice. Happy safe camping to you. Thanks for great videos.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I only wish I could sing that well. The song is called Love a Little Harder and singer is Christine Smit.

[@ad886710]

i see that you guys are using Oru Lake kayaks. Have you done a review of them? If not, thoughts? We are thinking of getting a couple as our tandem inflatable is just little too much of a PITA to set up, so curious as to how these are working out for you? thx

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We will try to do a more intense review in an upcoming video. Like with anything there are good and bad points. The good… they fit in the back of the RV, they are super fast to set up and tear down, they are somewhat affordable. The bad… they do not do well in rough water as far as tracking, we did buy a fin and it does seem to help some. A tandem or one of the more expensive ones might do better. That being said they have allowed us to get on the water a lot more on this trip and that is something we both really enjoy doing so for us we can live with the short coming and have really enjoyed using them. One more thing we have also had inflatable paddle boards and it is a lot of work so we do appreciate how easy these things are to get in the water.

[@thomashaas3671]

Hi Owen, We are liking your Ekko and looking for recommendations are you liking your Ekko ? We have been looking to get a little more room but NO SLIDES . Do you think your van would do well in temps down to 32d if heat was on ? Can you bed be made into one big bed or is it just 2. any info would help Thanks

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The EKKO does would do well in low temps. We were well under 0 in December and did not winterize… just kept the heat on. We do have a video on that . You can make the bed into one big bed but the middle cushions only cover 3/4 of that part of the bed. We hope this helps let us know if you have any other questions.

[@amydelpiere9315]

This got me wondering about pups swimming in salty waters. I’ve always lived near fresh water. Do they get crusty and need rinsed off like we do?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Yes, they do get a little crusty and it’s always a good time to give Maggie a bath.

[@robertwilliams2684]

Just wondering why you guys don’t wear life jackets in your kayaks?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The reasons we don’t wear life jackets are not very good one… they are not very comfortable and we didn’t feel the water was deep enough to need them. Thanks for the question.

[@dremein]

OK Owen you've gone a touch too far! Pineapple on a burger? Here I thought ya had more sense than that.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You may be right but it’s always good to try new things.

[@dremein]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Each to his own I say. Hope you enjoy that sacrilege of a burger😄 Keep up the great videos.