To Florida Or Not To Florida| Appalachian Trail 2025 | PCT Book Update | Explore Chattanooga

[@jillaubin481]

I was 58 when I thru hiked the AT. I wish I had started long trails earlier in my life. I loved hiking solo as well as having a tramily. I think solo hiking is very different than hiking with others. Personally, I would go for it. You really are animated and excited talking about going. What a cool hike if you go from Florida all the way to Canada on the AT. There is also the international AT. So many long trails when you start looking into it. The Arizona Trail and the PCT just opened up the rest of the country and world. No regrets. You will have that haunting you if you don’t do it.

[@billcannon6405]

You two helped motivate me. I just got pct permit approved.

[@TravelWritePaint]

That is awesome! Congratulations!!!🎊 🥳

[@Go-zi1py]

I bet Roadrunner will hike it with you...girls trip!!!

[@Hikingin70sshorts]

Get Roadrunner to hike the Florida trail with you and then all of you continue doing the Eastern Continental Trail all the way to New Brunswick. I could see another book, and can you imagine Bobby’s paintings! Bobby said he paints from videos, he could even paint from your videos of the Florida Trail. Just a thought.

[@jenspencer9906]

Hi boss bae, im a trail angel on the florida trail. Kick off at big cypress is january 1st. If you hike this beautiful trail, you can assure bobby you will be taken good care of in my neck of the woods around mile 300. ♥️ Hope to see u on trail!

[@mikeyhikes]

YES!!! We lived near Big Cypress and I agree ... Regardless of the potential issues from the hurricanes further north on the Florida Trail, I HIGHLY recommend Big Cypress and even the Ocean to Lake Trail for a couple smaller bites of the entire trail.

[@loisfreeberg-hagen616]

Go for it! You are young enough, no kid obligations, fit, and your mind seems in the right space. I shall Follow your adventures in the wilds!

[@TravelWritePaint]

Awe thank you!!! 😊

[@Two.gingers.adventures]

Do it all!!!!

[@TravelWritePaint]

For reals!!

[@luannmack-drinkard8498]

Florida Trail…wet, muddy, alligators, snakes both venomous and not, bugs, bugs, spiders and their webs, mosquitoes, deer flies, rain, really hot sun. There’s more, of course and good, too. I grew up in north east Florida with no immediate access to the FT. I did some mountain biking on it and a few hikes. Road Runner posted a video of an attempt for a section hike after she finished the AT that you could look up. But if you are driven to get on it, do it!! Looking forward to the book.

[@InspiredWellness21]

Right after watching your video, one of RR’s old vids came up next and she was doing a FT day hike and turned back. It was super swampy and alligators. She said “this is definitely not a fun trail and I don’t know why people do it for fun, it’s scary.” I don’t know anything about it and on the surface sounds fun to me too but maybe talk to your friend, RR for more perspective.

[@TravelWritePaint]

Yeah I heard it can be brutal. It sounds like RR had a less-than-ideal experience! It's always good to get multiple perspectives before you make a decision!! Thanks for the advice 🥰

[@jenspencer9906]

@@InspiredWellness21 emmmmm gator tail 🤤😋 yummy!!!!!! 😜

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Congratulations upon that major step of getting the manuscript out to the editor! You two have worked so hard on this project! The FL trail is something else. I’ve watched a few hikers successfully do that trail. It will be exciting to watch you of you decide to do that.

[@vikmarquez]

Wait for Bobby highly recommend 👍🏼💪🏼

[@TravelWritePaint]

Yes I think you’re probably right! 💪

[@downeastxg]

I relate to all of the writing and hard work that goes into writing a book, I say that as a writer and published author. A huge congratulations to you! I was lucky that my mate's daughter was a publisher at one time, and spoon fed me as a writer who did not like the immense details involved in getting the actual book out there. It is far from an easy process, so good going! As far as waiting for your husband to join you in a hike, why not? What's the rush? Weather choice of winter in the South? Hiking Dancer also comes to mind for some reason... as I saw her vids on the GA Pinhoti trail and her talking of heading down to FL. If your life has become all about the hike, then get out there (but it looked like by the end of the PCT you had well enough and matured in a different way), but if it's just for a meet-up, you need to ask yourself why. Also, in saying that, no one should hike alone.

[@mrslauri60]

👏🏻 Appalachian Trail!

[@susietopspin]

So excited for all your news…. Book… YAY….AT….. double yay…..expect lots of trail magic in New York. As for the Florida trail, I’m with Bobby but ultimately down to you… HYOH right☺️. Exciting updates and happy trails.🤟🏻🥾🏔

[@karenward3542]

Yay for you both on the hike next year you to are so truly blessed ❤

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thank you 🥰🥰

[@kristymoore7052]

Congrats on the book. I personally do not understand anyone wanting to hike the Florida trail, but I’m from CA., and just don’t understand or care for the gators and snakes and marsh. AT, absolutely.

[@TravelWritePaint]

Each to their own! 😁 I totally get it. I can’t really explain my desire 😅

[@lisawood2548]

Yes! Do the Florida Trail. I think you should hike up to the AT and Bobby can meet you there.

[@TravelWritePaint]

🤗 that’s awesome

[@mamawelder]

Woo hoo!!!🎉awesome! 📖 Florida or not? Flip a coin.

[@musingwithreba9667]

Congratulations on getting the manuscript out! How exciting 🎉 The Florida trail is not something that interests me in the least. Aligator and mosquito infested swamps are just not my thing. 😂 But I did watch Dixie's and Kelly Hays' hikes when they did the FT, and they enjoyed it, so if you've got the time and the wherewithal, why not!?

[@LionessHiker]

Yes, I watched both of them too! Kept praying they would be safe from gators 🐊!

[@debrahsawicki1589]

I “met” y’all through Roadrunner. Thrilled to hear you will be hiking the AT. I’m also looking forward to my copy of the PCT Field Journal My trailname is Luckymoon and I am the hostess at Boots Off, mile 428. I can hardly wait to see y’all’s smiles come up our driveway! Class of 2025 is going to be a big one!

[@TravelWritePaint]

That is awesome! We will make sure to stop by. 🥰🫶

[@MinaS-dp6zf]

Congratulations on getting the book to the editor. 🎉 I’m so excited about y’all doing the AT! I can’t wait to follow along your journey. 👏🏻

[@lisacasper7823]

I think you should hike the Florida Trail and follow all the connecting trails that lead up to the Appalachian Trail and meet up worh bird call at the beginning of the Appalachian trail! Yaaaaay another adventure!!!!

[@LionessHiker]

Congratulations on finishing your editing of the book! I am happy you have decided to hike the AT. I am super excited you will hike the Florida Trail too! I watched Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust and 9 Lives - Kelly Hays do the Florida Trail. Now, I get to watch you hike it too! Watching them walk through such deep water scares the bejeebers out of me! I kept expecting an alligator 🐊 reach up to grab one of them and drag them down. I know it is an irrational fear and I may just have to hike it just to prove to myself that a gator is not going to jump out and get me. You go girl!

[@TravelWritePaint]

🥰🥰🥰 I'm excited to share it with you!

[@Maureen.walkdontrun]

Congratulations on getting your book to your editor. Go for Florida solo! Do this amazing stuff while you are young and fearless. I’m exactly twice your age and walked the Camino Frances with my partner last year. Of course much shorter than the PCT or the AT but I did carry my bag and walked every step of the 800km hilly trail in Spain. I’m now walking the Camino del Norte solo in March/April because he has no interest. I’m so damn excited, this will be my first solo hike (along the northern coast of Spain)and it won’t be my last 🙏.

[@GoFar_RoamFree]

Yes FT!! Do it! Then connect to the AT and meet Bobby!

[@richardtevaarwerk7141]

Followed you guys on the whole journey! Enjoyed the videos on aswell after the trail! Could you perhaps do an episode on the costs of the trail? Keep it up and good luck with the book!

[@TravelWritePaint]

Yes! Definitely!

[@ronaldmittelman2054]

Good luck. Definitely different terrain. Will be looking for your posts.

[@jeckslynne]

Keep being awesome guys! Look forward to reading your book!!

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thank you! We're working hard on it!

[@karenward3542]

Yay 🎉🎉🎉❤I can’t wait love to get one to read soon so excited for you bless ❤

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thank you!! 🙏

[@wendypelaez9305]

I’m a trail angel on the Florida Trail in the St. Marks area.

[@TravelWritePaint]

Awesome! We're so grateful for trail angels, y'all make such a difference!

[@highonlifealone4332]

Hmmmm,,,,,,well, it is not our decision, and we think the most important person you need to come to terms and agreement with is your husband. As we wrote many months ago, we switched to watching your channel for the PCT thru-hike, because you both were doing the hike as a married couple. But from the other comments we can see that they love solo hikes.

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thanks for the feedback! 😊 I would really miss my husband!!

[@robertligas250]

Congrats 🎉🎈🎊🍾 to you two wish you the Best

[@vshybeej8756]

Awesome video!!! Good news on the book and congrats on the next step. Follow your heart with Thru-Hiking. Also be sure to budget for the FT along with the AT for you and Bird Call!!! Loving the videos! Keep em coming! - Shybee

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@WalkingwithWendy]

Congrats! That must feel great!!!

[@mikeyhikes]

❤ virtually met you via Roadrunner on the PCT and have followed since! Although originally from the PNW, we recently moved from Florida after 24 years. We have hike parts of the Florida Trail and you are RIGHT! It is NO JOKE and gorgeous in its own way! I’m still part of the local hiking groups on FB and the word is that the 2024 hurricane season created a horrible mess on the Trail. I might absolutely recommend a few sections, but as a thru-hike I’m not sure it will be doable this year. Hopefully I’m wrong and they are able to get it cleaned up before you’d go.

[@TravelWritePaint]

It’s great to meet you! Thanks for the heads up about the Florida Trail.

[@suzannemarshall7458]

fantastic on the book process work. It will be great

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thanks, we're so excited about it too!

[@aliciageth8033]

Congratulations on the upcoming book! You are both awesome😊. Do the FT it’s so different and diverse in its fauna and wild life😅Live with no regrets and do it while you are healthy!.

[@olddad67]

You guys are amazing. Looking forward to your Appalachian trip. That’s gonna be cool. I’ll follow you every step of the way. I’m an older guy. You don’t know how lucky or maybe you do to have each other and experiencing this together wow. ❤ oh my best to both of you.

[@SilverVagabonds]

Do it! Do the Florida Trail! Plan it and do it…..make your decision and commit to it!!!!!

[@TravelWritePaint]

Hells yes! I love it!

[@lindacummins9888]

AT yay

[@catherinebrown1343]

Do it!

[@TravelWritePaint]

💪🥰

[@JohnBishard]

Congratulations on lol also I would enjoy watching you hike Florida trail. I’m sure you will find some others on social media to hike with if you wanted to. lol maybe hiking dancer will.

[@sandpine99]

Do it. FT great for solo hiking. Lots of town to resupply. Not sure about starting in the keys though. I've only section hiked and seen vids of others doing it from the keys. Those roads can be brutal. Good luck.

[@TravelWritePaint]

We will keep that in mind! I appreciate the advice.

[@RolandKrastins]

Congratulations on completing writing your 📙 book!🎉😅 You need to research AT carefully. Large parts of the trail got destroyed by hurricane 🌀, flooding and landslides. It will take long time for those parts to be repaired.😊

[@TravelWritePaint]

That is very good to know! We are still in the planning stages and will make sure it’s safe.

[@JasonCaster]

I’ve hiked some short jaunts here in Florida and I hiked the PCT in 2015. Other than the fact that you’re hiking there are pretty much zero similarities. The Florida Trail has a lot of underwater sections, invest in a good pair of shoes that do well in water. You’ll also be covered in bug bites the entire time you’re out there so keep that in mind. Other than that I’d say it would be a positive experience. Check with RoadRunner and see what she has to say about her brief experiences on it. If you do end up hiking it I’d be happy to drop off some trail magic at one or two of your road crossings!

[@jillaubin481]

I’ve been to the civil war display you are at with my thru hiker tramily member who lives in Hixon. Great update on your book.

[@keithpeverley3869]

🐊

[@aceonthetrail1888]

Will you do a flip-flop of the AT since starting late April or May? Also, maybe Roadrunner will do the FT with you if you’re looking for a hiking partner?

[@CampfireJubilee]

Girl… hike the Florida trail!!! How awesome it would be to hike from Florida to Canada (even if done in a couple “sections”). If you can do it, go for it! We will be behind you. I hiked the AT in 2019, and dream of adding the Florida Trail, the Pinhoti, and the IAT north of Katahdin to into Canada one day to section hike essentially the whole East Coast, one trail at a time!

[@TravelWritePaint]

I know it!! I absolutely love the idea of connecting all the trails. I wish my hubby didn’t have to work 😭😭 oh well. Still on the fence

[@soniaholland3912]

Pinhoti Trail sounds more plausible. You could hike and then have a break before the AT… just my thoughts! lol. Follow your ❤

[@TravelWritePaint]

I hear ya! 😉

[@MaxZomboni]

I think it's a cool idea. I'll watch for sure. I might add one thought. You might want to consider starting your hike north of the Overseas Highway, probably from Big Cypress National Preserve, instead of from Key West. Reason being the Overseas Highway is 113 miles of mostly bridge walking just feet away from bumper to bumper traffic the whole way. If you decide to do it anyway be prepared for 113 miles of pavement and heavy traffic. If you can deal with that it should be a beautiful experience. Also if you decide to start from Key West, book your accommodations well in advance. You are not going to like the prices. A dormitory bed in a hostel in Key West is going to cost you well over $100 a night. That is about the cheapest option you are going to find. Stealth camping is pretty much impossible there. So you will probably have to budget at least $1,000 just for the Overseas section. If you decide to do it, I'm looking forward to watching. 😎👍

[@elizabethcoates3916]

Congratulations on getting your book to the publishers. As for the Florida Trail, that would be a no for me. I have done some sections of it, not a fun hike. Too wet, too sandy and too many bugs for me. The Pinhoti and the AT would be great though.

[@TravelWritePaint]

Thank you 🥰🥰🥰 Haha, good to know! We appreciate the input.

[@cheesecake1003]

I would watch you on the FT and then the AT. I'm a trail angel and section hiker and have found there is lots of support for hikers here on Florida, where I reside.

[@TravelWritePaint]

That’s awesome!!! I would love to get some trail magic from ya!

[@cheesecake1003]

@TravelWritePaint I'm in central FL. I service Bear Pond Trailhead and Cassia Trailhead. Both are in Seminole State Forest. Good luck in your decision making. It's not easy being separated from a beloved partner.

[@bartetzenhouser2943]

American Trail. Key West to the tip of Newfoundland.

[@aandpforme]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Slimtheteach24]

You and Roadrunner should do it!!

[@TravelWritePaint]

🤗🤗🥰

[@umreeh]

How long is a typical journal entry in your book?

[@TravelWritePaint]

About a page ish. The entire book is almost 300 pages

[@williamsaeger5883]

The AT is really torn up. Many sections are closed and will not open, perhaps until 26. I would wait until 26 for that adventure. Check out the CDT.

[@TravelWritePaint]

True true!! The CDT is definitely on the list!

[@caryrobinson664]

Pinhoti trail better to solo than Florida

[@TravelWritePaint]

True 🤔

[@rondawil2845]

If you have the courage to solo it...go for it...but I think you're going to miss Bobby...and Him you..

[@amypatenaudegunn3322]

Is your body healed and healthy?

[@TravelWritePaint]

🤔 healed, debatable 😅 but I feel healthy!

[@riverrat82]

If you have an itch you better scratch. Don’t put it in the shoulda coulda woulda file. Go and see what it is all about. Gators and glaciers are about the same 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TravelWritePaint]

Heard that!! I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be in the east so I’m feeling the fire!

[@Galinda64]

How about Key West to Newfoundland?

[@TravelWritePaint]

🤔 that would be interesting!

[@dmottley]

Doesn’t roadrunner live in Florida If you do February start make sure you do early February. It gets warm fast

[@johnganshow5536]

She's moving, right now in Vermont with her mother...

[@jilltaylor4932]

Brilliant progress getting the book to the editor. No wonder you are on a ‘high’. As for deciding whether to go to Florida or not I cannot say, bit I will be with you all the way whatever you decide ☺️

[@bkbland1626]

I've done enough of the Florida trail ti KNOW that I will NEVER hike the Florida trail. No hills and way too much swamp walking. Bleah.

[@TravelWritePaint]

lol ya sound like Robert 😅😅 I don’t blame you (or him) at all