You guys are so funny! Loved hearing the FT is probably your fav trail!🧡🫶🏽 Also yes our state parks are pretty awesome. We love exploring all of our state parks. This is great! Looking forward the future videos.
Matt - I'm still trying to figure out if you are an optimistic pessimist, or a pessimistic optimist!! Followed you through the whole east coast adventure, and really loving this series - thanks for sharing.
In the canoe paddling course I took some years ago the teaching was that the back paddler provided the majority of the steering and maintained the direction. The forward paddler's job was mainly forward movement only. The J stroke was useful for the solo paddler primarily or the back paddler when 2 are involved. This worked very well for us.
That's pretty much what we concluded on this trip. Which also has the added benefit of putting me in front to get footage, includes Taters in the selfie shots, and lets me more comfortably lay out with my back on the portage packs...
The Alapaha River (flows into Suwannee further down) is a bigger low-water challenge. It disappeared into a cave in the side when my brothers tried canoeing down it one August. Mom waiting downstream wondered why they never showed and finally drove back to the put-in to find them. We used to canoe the Suwannee in the 1970's before all the facilities. Locals didn't appreciate us City Boys (from Jax) on their river. The limestone cliffs are neat. We imagined them an Indian burial ground.
Taters, take it from personal experience, if the knucklehead in the stern of the canoe doesn’t keep the canoe going in the correct direction, your paddle can splash a lot of water on Ma… I mean, the stern dude, to wake them up and do what they are supposed to do.
I live in South Florida, but grew up in central Florida camping and canoeing ij the springs. Was up visiting family over Christmas and thought what great weather I should be camping! I did the White Springs section of the Suwannee in April 2021... The whole river is still on my to do list. During my paddle I was also pleasantly surprised about the FT being so close by!
Yeah, learned paddling in Georgian Bay in Canada to turn the boat over at night! Partly to keep it dry, but also to hide the food. If a bear tries to get at it (we had aluminum boats--the old indestructible Grumman boats--so the bear would have made a real racket turning it over and we could come chase it away. At least that was the theory. Other than those two bears you saw on Day 2, was it? Any new spottings? Enjoying the fun as you cruise/careen down the river! Paddle on! Tortoise
I have cold foot problems because I'm diabetic. Extra socks, gloves, and a knit hat are musts. I bought a couple of the Zippo pocket heaters(like we had when I was a kid 50+ years ago). I haven't tried the new ones yet. They used to put out a lot more heat than the chemical ones do now. Lashing everything in is good planning, not paranoia. Mat, steering is your responsibility. Have fun. Good Luck, Rick
First, I wouldn’t let Jen go into town for resupply any longer. If she had turned left after leaving the park in White Spring and walked less than 100 yards, you two could have been snacking on a nice delicious Hunt Bros. Pizza, and to boot, they sell hiker wine 🍷! Glad you guys are having a good trip. Take care and be safe! NANOOK
Tatars gets a Seal of disapproval for dissing Old Folks at Home , but we still quiver in anticipation of the Day she can return and hike are most beautiful Florida Trail! 😅 ( And visit our beautiful Stephen Foster parks)
I need to go back and watch some of your ECT videos. I live in Tallahassee and the FT is NOT my idea of a pleasant hike. Of course the closest sections to me would be St Marks and the Apalachicola NF, with the infamous Bradwell Bay. Yikes
OMG! The covid feet! I never put that together for me. I had symptom free covid but ever since my feet will ache so bad like they are freezing! But they aren't really cold to the touch. Sleeping in socks in 70°!
I think the rings on the shaft of the kayak paddle are to make water drip off the paddle instead of running along the shaft and making your hand/lap wet. They should be located so they don't dip into the water, but far enough out so they don't drip into the boat.
I’m familiar with the paddle rings and we have them on our kayak paddles. These were positioned right in the grip position though and not big enough to really block drips
Cold feet to me means cold all over. And poor Jen getting all wet. But she’s a trooper and I enjoy her laughter. Y’all are so much fun. Matt, do you think your feet will be warm when you’re back to hiking?
It was an issue on the CDT after winter park hence why I had my parents order those down socks. So I suspect it’s just my new reality now unfortunately
@@ripvanrevs I’ve had participants with that on my Sierra / desert trips so I’m somewhat familiar with it. I don’t have the white skin on my cold toes though
I was gonna criticize you for saying 20k for the battery, but that is how the companies market them. It’s oldd because it’s 20,000 mAh, so it’s actually 20Ah.
Yea, standard terms are 10k and 20k so that’s how I refer to them shorthand but your correct about the units. I assume it was done that way since it sounds bigger
Apologies for the delay but we haven’t had reception worth a damn for the last 5 days or so.
You guys are so funny! Loved hearing the FT is probably your fav trail!🧡🫶🏽 Also yes our state parks are pretty awesome. We love exploring all of our state parks. This is great! Looking forward the future videos.
Matt - I'm still trying to figure out if you are an optimistic pessimist, or a pessimistic optimist!! Followed you through the whole east coast adventure, and really loving this series - thanks for sharing.
In the canoe paddling course I took some years ago the teaching was that the back paddler provided the majority of the steering and maintained the direction. The forward paddler's job was mainly forward movement only. The J stroke was useful for the solo paddler primarily or the back paddler when 2 are involved. This worked very well for us.
That's pretty much what we concluded on this trip. Which also has the added benefit of putting me in front to get footage, includes Taters in the selfie shots, and lets me more comfortably lay out with my back on the portage packs...
I’m really enjoying this trip and the amount of banter between you both.
The Alapaha River (flows into Suwannee further down) is a bigger low-water challenge. It disappeared into a cave in the side when my brothers tried canoeing down it one August. Mom waiting downstream wondered why they never showed and finally drove back to the put-in to find them. We used to canoe the Suwannee in the 1970's before all the facilities. Locals didn't appreciate us City Boys (from Jax) on their river. The limestone cliffs are neat. We imagined them an Indian burial ground.
Taters, take it from personal experience, if the knucklehead in the stern of the canoe doesn’t keep the canoe going in the correct direction, your paddle can splash a lot of water on Ma… I mean, the stern dude, to wake them up and do what they are supposed to do.
Thanks Stitch ;) I’ll keep that in mind
I live in South Florida, but grew up in central Florida camping and canoeing ij the springs. Was up visiting family over Christmas and thought what great weather I should be camping! I did the White Springs section of the Suwannee in April 2021... The whole river is still on my to do list. During my paddle I was also pleasantly surprised about the FT being so close by!
I think you guys are talking about the “J-stroke”. It corrects steering so one can paddle only on one side of boat.
Yeah, learned paddling in Georgian Bay in Canada to turn the boat over at night! Partly to keep it dry, but also to hide the food. If a bear tries to get at it (we had aluminum boats--the old indestructible Grumman boats--so the bear would have made a real racket turning it over and we could come chase it away. At least that was the theory. Other than those two bears you saw on Day 2, was it? Any new spottings? Enjoying the fun as you cruise/careen down the river! Paddle on! Tortoise
Years ago when we were much younger the wife and I use to ride a tandem road bike. Wife always complained that the view from the rear never changed
Yup- sleep tandem, paddle solo!
Steering from the front: "pry" manuvier or "sweep". Good for making adjustments. Firgure 8 to move laterally
I have cold foot problems because I'm diabetic. Extra socks, gloves, and a knit hat are musts. I bought a couple of the Zippo pocket heaters(like we had when I was a kid 50+ years ago). I haven't tried the new ones yet. They used to put out a lot more heat than the chemical ones do now. Lashing everything in is good planning, not paranoia. Mat, steering is your responsibility. Have fun. Good Luck, Rick
First, I wouldn’t let Jen go into town for resupply any longer.
If she had turned left after leaving the park in White Spring and walked less than 100 yards, you two could have been snacking on a nice delicious Hunt Bros. Pizza, and to boot, they sell hiker wine 🍷!
Glad you guys are having a good trip.
Take care and be safe!
NANOOK
Tatars gets a Seal of disapproval for dissing Old Folks at Home , but we still quiver in anticipation of the Day she can return and hike are most beautiful Florida Trail! 😅 ( And visit our beautiful Stephen Foster parks)
I need to go back and watch some of your ECT videos. I live in Tallahassee and the FT is NOT my idea of a pleasant hike. Of course the closest sections to me would be St Marks and the Apalachicola NF, with the infamous Bradwell Bay. Yikes
The hike through Florida is just so unique. Personally I would repeat the FT before I would the AT.
OMG! The covid feet! I never put that together for me. I had symptom free covid but ever since my feet will ache so bad like they are freezing! But they aren't really cold to the touch. Sleeping in socks in 70°!
It’s been a real struggle. I had to invest in some sturdier mud boots for the Mississippi and some knock off UGGs/Uber socks for being back in the van
@@FirstChurchofTheMasochistHikes I believe you. Painful!
Still watching... welcome to Fla, Ya'll... 🥴🥳
Signal hype! Go bars goo
15:53 the river has covered bridges at times.
I think the rings on the shaft of the kayak paddle are to make water drip off the paddle instead of running along the shaft and making your hand/lap wet. They should be located so they don't dip into the water, but far enough out so they don't drip into the boat.
I’m familiar with the paddle rings and we have them on our kayak paddles. These were positioned right in the grip position though and not big enough to really block drips
Loose dogs, gunshots, and big-ass spiders--welcome to north Florida!
I'm in clearwater & it was cold as hell, I know you all were cold when the artic blast hit......safe paddling
🦋
Cold feet to me means cold all over. And poor Jen getting all wet. But she’s a trooper and I enjoy her laughter. Y’all are so much fun. Matt, do you think your feet will be warm when you’re back to hiking?
It was an issue on the CDT after winter park hence why I had my parents order those down socks. So I suspect it’s just my new reality now unfortunately
@@FirstChurchofTheMasochistHikes I got Reynaud's syndrome in my fingers around 40 years old. Fortunately, my toes don't get cold.
@@ripvanrevs I’ve had participants with that on my Sierra / desert trips so I’m somewhat familiar with it. I don’t have the white skin on my cold toes though
Jen, you are good with the J stroke. Try writing a letter C backwards 16:28 with your paddle to help with steering.
Thanks!
Have you considered using a head-mounted GoPro for filming while paddling?
Try the J stroke😂
I was gonna criticize you for saying 20k for the battery, but that is how the companies market them. It’s oldd because it’s 20,000 mAh, so it’s actually 20Ah.
Yea, standard terms are 10k and 20k so that’s how I refer to them shorthand but your correct about the units. I assume it was done that way since it sounds bigger
the arctic cold front was real.... suspect you know that by now....
Taters needs to use draw and pry strokes for steering, which should be used in a kayak too.
Thanks! I’ll practice those
Steering is always from aft not the bow
Sandwiches, wth. What happened to nachos?
You are the coxman;stroke,stroke,stroke😅