HIKING 80 MILES OF FLORIDA BEACHES (The Barefoot Mailman)

This January I hiked from Palm Beach to Miami, tracing the route of the Barefoot Mailman. Before there were roads in South Florida, mail had to be delivered on foot by mail deliverers who walked the route. It took them three days to walk 68 miles south, and three days to walk back north. A famous book was eventually written about them, specifically James Hamilton. James mysteriously died while swimming across one of the inlets to fetch his canoe.
I chose to walk this path because this book is quite popular in South Florida, however I couldn't find anyone who had recently hiked the route. Many monuments have been made for the Barefoot Mailman, including a hotel, statue, bridge, historical signs, and the book by Theodore Pratt.
#beachcamping #barefootmailman

[@pestlund]

Well done!

[@stevenrozansky530]

Loved the video and the history behind it!

[@patriciaguzman586]

Thank you for sharing your walk. Very informative, and waiting for your next adventure. Patty

[@jacobsladder3619]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@danmitchell1665]

I found your channel today and watched you hike in the Ocala National forest and this video. I was sad to see it has been a year since your last video. I really liked the style and just down to earth style of your videos. Not sure you will ever see this comment, but I hope you still having some amazing hikes / travels.

[@jacobsladder3619]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comment! I don’t get to take as many trips nowadays, but am still doing them every few months. I do intend to make more videos but right now I’m enjoying the trips without it!

[@danmitchell1665]

@@jacobsladder3619 I understand. I traveled a lot in my 20s and early 30s, then I had a special needs child and my life changed. Now it is not wandering around with a backpack, but usually a hotel or cabin stay in some city he wants to explore or driving around the state I live in. Hope to see more adventures in the future.

[@JaydubyaX]

"There's like 6 words.." (trying to mention Von D Mizel Eula Johnson State Park) That cracked me up. It used to be called John Loyd state park. I now pass that park daily on a tour boat, and struggle equally to get the name right, cause im so used to the old name 🤣. Cool trip you took, woulda bought you lunch if I had known you were here. 🤙🏽

[@jacobsladder3619]

Thanks for watching! It was a crazy trip and I was in bad shape at the end. Glad I did it but wouldn’t do it again. And yes that state parks name is not rememberable 😂

[@ilenegoldstein7494]

Very informative journey!! Thank you!! You should speak to the school students and teach them all this history!

[@jacobsladder3619]

Thank you! New video coming out today on the yam el yam in Israel :)

[@adolfoochoa265]

Im a scouter. And every year first friday- sunday. I take part on the barefoot mailman hike with bsa. We usually begin hike at pompano beach ( a1a/atlantic ) but what ever i use for hike ( sleeping bag, tent , food , water ) i carry it in my backpack ) as a rule we cant buy, any food during hike. If caught you get disqualified.

[@jacobsladder3619]

Awesome! Glad the bsa are carrying on this tradition. Enjoy and have a safe trip! Share the vid with any scouts who might be wary about the journey :)

[@lifebyhailey]

What a beast!

[@tylerroberts8619]

Awesome video Jacob! I remember having to read this in school.

[@jacobsladder3619]

Thanks Tyler! It fits right in with The Land Remembered and River of Grass books. Bought the Barefoot Mailman after spending an hour in the Stuart history museum downtown. I was most surprised to find out that Palm beach was originally Palm City.