The lady who gave y'all the beers was my mother! I seen you guys walking down by the white church before you get to the aucilla River (mount Gilead baptist church down in Eridu) and I ran home to grab you guys some drinks and stuff and turned around but I didn't see y'all again so I told my mom to be on the lookout because she was still driving around, and while I was driving back to Georgia that evening, she said she stopped and handed y'all two natty lights out of her car lol. she got out of a little blue car. Her name is Carla.
That is so cool. After all the scary denizens of the swamps and what not, I was seriously feeling off about this trail. Seeing people like your mother and yourself being so kind though, puts it right back on my list of trails to try "someday" if I'm ever so lucky. Thanks for the show of kindness.
Thank you, Dixie. I am so thankful you came past our doorstep. You are an incredible person and have positively impacted our lives so much through your short stay. Especially Abby and Jack's life, and for that, I am forever grateful. Our doors and hearts are always open to you and yours.
Takes one to know one! Many people treat us like we are homeless and it’s okay because it is humbling. You have a lot going on, but still found time to extend hospitality and kindness to us and it meant the world to us! You’re a great mommy and have an awesome heart. Give Abby & Jack a hug for us 🥰
Being that I was born and raised in Florida, it’s nice to get some recognition for us being hospitable and not just crazy. Thanks y’all for the great videos.
I have to agree with other commenters, this was one of the best videos you have ever made. I think it is because of the variety of nature and creatures combined with the kindness of strangers. The positivity could be felt just by watching this.
Just want to agree with all those who commented on all the good people in the world. We don't find those people by watching the news. We have to get out and live. This video is much more representative of how people are than the media would have us believe. Thanks for the reality check.
Hey, Shaina's parents here. THANK YOU Dixie. So happy God puts good folk together like this to inspire each other to pass on the positivity!! lol I am friends with a past Florida Trail Association president, Margret Scruggs...95 years young! She is going to show me a picture of her on the Ocala, Florida section of the trail. She was the first to hike it she told me. Please stop by again!!
I went hiking in Nepal in 2000 we were way of the tourist track. there was very little in the way of even basic shops. After a hard days hike i crashed out and said id die for a coke....one of our lovely Nepalese sherpa team overheard me and ran to the nearest village another hour or so away to get me one lol. I was mortified but very grateful. Bless him!
This trail offers a whole new set of amazing critters! And, I have to say I have missed this: you walking the trail, talking to us like we’re walking right beside you, and you say, “we stayed in town too long and we gotta get goin’ because, well, Canada.”
What kind, kind people. 🌷🤗 Prayers for the little 9 month old and his family. 🙏🏼. That was very cool that you could stand on that bend in the land and see both sides of the state. Nice! 👍
I’m just so excited that I’m in a world where I’m watching a Dixie thru hike video in real time!! Another awesome episode!! You’ll never understand how much you and your videos have helped me find myself again and also discover myself a little for the first time!! You are an inspiration and truly one of my favorite life savers!
I’ve watched each of your releases for awhile and you are one of the kindest, honest to a fault, emotionally generous souls I’ve witnessed. For any of my bad days or for that matter, any good days your presence always makes them a lot better. Thank you . . .
Woohoo! Gotta look that up right now. I've done chilkoot pass and resurrection pass, johnson pass and crow creek pass, ready for a longer trail here in AK!
This was by far the best. The people, the amazing scenes. The bugs, lol. You bring sparkle to your vlogs and peace. Thank you Dixies. One thing is for sure, I need to stop watching so much news. Get out and live life.
Another amazing adventure. I have seen many piggyback baby spiders but you captured the absolutely best video footage I have ever seen. We so enjoy your childlike awe while witnessing new things. Never let it go. You are going to be an amazing mom. We would adopt you in a heartbeat. Thank you for doing great things.
I told you, ALL trail angels are born in Florida then the fly up north to the AT. Happy Birthday Dixie! Also I will pray for Shaina and Baby Jack for grace and healing. My heart went out to them with compassion, I know what it is like to be dealing with a long term illness, my wife is battling breast cancer.
You see so much terribleness on the news and it can make you despair and lose hope in the country but the truth is just turn that crap off and get outside. There are kind people everywhere and so don't let media and social media make you think there isn't.
I love, love, love all of the trail magic and people connections you all have had on this trail ❤️❤️❤️. Your ability to spot the tiniest of bugs doing amazing things is astounding!
It really seems you two have been blessed. The trail does provide. I'm encouraged for our future by such kindness and generosity displayed by those good folks that have shepherded you along the way. This video series has been phenomenal! Thank you for sharing it with us.
In this craziness of a world, there is still good people, starting with you Dixie! Thank you for finding and showing the rest of us good natured people! Keep safe on your thru hike!
So awesome to see how the Florida Trail community is so supportive and growing. God bless all the trail angels . Hope to run into y'all someday soon. And "Welcome to the hiking world Abby". No doubt this experience is gonna make her the next generations "Dixie". Cant wait for the next video.
Happy birthday late Dixie! I love that you love FLA. Me too. You're not getting older, you're getting better. It shows with every new video you share. Thanks for bringing us all along.
I have been following you for awhile on your other adventures and have gotten hooked on this one too, Imagine that! I really enjoy the time you take to connect with nature around you and to share that with your community. Excellent photography which I know detracts from miles accomplished but then the trail is about more than just reaching the end. Thanks for smelling the roses and sharing with all of us.
My favourite episode of this trail experience,. It's giving me faith in people. So much kindness and good people helping each other out. Thanks for Sharing!
I’ve been following your adventures for years, I love your fearlessness and how you are able to share your love for nature and people with us, always humble and grateful. Today’s video left me with a happy heart, seeing how people helped you without knowing you, they opened their house to y’all. ❤️❤️
so nice to see a Florida spring fed river with its eel grass still in good shape. so nice to see my home state again after being away from home for years 🥲
I've followed all your trail adventures from the git go. I think this was one of the most soul satisfying episodes you've done. From friendly folks along the trail and the pepsi machine, to wildlife and beautiful vistas, it had it all. Those were some good lookin' birthday oysters, made me hungry.
I enjoy your choice of classical music ... your macro shots are always fascinating ... amazing how you keep meeting friendly folks along the trail ... yes "almost too perfect" ... thanks and keep on trekking!
Tell Shana to start a gofundme so people can help her back (for helping you) to relieve the $tress of the care for Jack.. Just an idea. Thank you for sharing the video. They always make my day and I love trail magic :)
Off topic: I just spent a day in my new Altra Lone Peak 5, I bought them 2 EU sizes too big and I don’t see myself ever going back to boots🥰 All thanks to your reviews. Thank you 😊
yall are having a wonderful hike , glad to see the southern hospitality is alive and well ,great videos i have watched and liked them all , looking forward to the next one . the yellow flies are out in force in north Florida .
Hi Dixie, I've been with you for a long time now and have enjoyed every minute of everything you've so generously shared, but this is the best yet. Very inspiring. Some spectacular critter footage reminded me of Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" and the synchronicity of your birthday in happy town and beers from heaven were like something out of Forest Gump. You couldn't write this stuff. It's amazing how, by slowing down to a walking pace, albeit a determined one, you create the time to notice the small and wonderful things, in nature and in our fellow man and by so doing, express your own beautiful spirit. Looking forward to you and Marde visiting us up here in Algonquin Park some day soon.
All the wonderful trail magic and folks helping out along the way are a direct result of good karma. You get what you give and Dixie you have given far more than you take! Happy trails and as always I look forward to the next one! Come back to Oregon and hike with me 🤗
The hike from Freeport up Hwy 331 seems to be mostly a road march along a 4-lane road. I think the trail is on the western side and is unshaded. Going up the eastern side in the morning might offer some shade, but the trail on that side would not be continuous and may cause you to need to cross a busy 4-lane more than once. An afternoon along this section would give you the best chance for shade. I didn't see any water on this stretch--over 5 miles from the highway 20/331 junction. Once you leave 331 and turn into the Eglin Range there is water within a mile. A very little stream called "Switch Cane" and a little further is a better water source called "Moccasin Creek". This is very enjoyable, nearly flat section of the trail. Opposite the trail turning into the range, on the eastern side of the road is a fire station. When you see the station , you will see the range entry.
hiking in florida is very different than the others. you have to see whats in front of you (or on the ground) instead of looking for the vistas. I started hiking when I was working in Arizona and thought that my home state had nothing to offer... but this video proves otherwise.
@@anniesshenanigans3815 Maybe it's because I've only backpacked the Southwest, mostly in Arizona, that I find the Southeast generally not appealing. Whenever I do visit relatives back east, I ogle at all the water. The ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks, rain, puddles, pools, swimming holes and springs are usually surrounded by an abundance of the color green. Those are two factors (water and the "green-ness") are not part of the terrain around Tucson. I'm sure I could get used to it, but I'm not sure I want to. As far as keeping your eyes on the trail, that really applies in the mountains were all of the trails are rocky.
Amazing stories! You both are true Magical Manifestors. I love how when we are in the flow with life it provides us exactly what we ask for. Also I have hiked that section of the Florida trail near the Aucilla river where it disappears underground. :-) It is beautiful! So glad you had a great time in St Marks for your birthday. I know this was probably shot a month ago and your birthday has past but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday Dixie! Loving this series for sure. Do lots of day hikes in FL and enjoy the ecosystems for sure, so different from the rest of the US. Stay safe and take care of those piggies!
One thing I find amazing about this trail is the amount of wildlife on it! So much more than the eastern mountains I know. Not that I want that wildlife crawling over me! And Dixie, your videography skills have gotten SO GOOD. Happy birthday!
Beautiful pictures. I love all the close-ups of the bugs. Especially the spider with the babies on it's back. I've never been able to see that close. I knew they were on there but never could see what they looked like.
Making a mental note that if I ever decide to hike the FT, I will need to add additional days for sitting and watching. ✅ Once again, great video with great interactions and scenery. Thanks for bringing us along. Happy Belated Dixie!!!
What a great episode, thanks for sharing your journey and showing the wonderful acts of kindness these strangers did for you. Belated Happy Birthday Dixie, it sounded like a wonderful way to have a birthday!
Once you enter the Eglin Range from hey 331 there will be a small square sign telling you that you must have a permit to enter the range (this is not for Florida Trail thru-hikers, but for other people just visiting). Just past that sign is a small wooden bench to rest and enjoy escaping from the highway. Next to that bench should be a styrofoam cooler with some small trail magic. If people have been nice and left it alone, there will also be an envelope addressed to you two with a personal thank you inside. Please feel free to leave any trash you have accumulated in the trash bag and we will be by to pick it up later. We have enjoyed your trips so much and I want to thank you for taking us along. Not to mention all the trail advice videos you have done for us. If you have passed this "waypoint", please just say "past" in a reply.
Happy birthday! What a way to spend it 👍 Looks like you've met some amazing people along the trail. Gives me hope for the world. And I just gotta say...that river just disappearing like that has my mind all twisted trying to figure it out. It's crazy!
Those gators and turtles at the spring! So beautiful! 😍. And what a wonderful collection of trailside people you met. Exploring the river by boat sounds perfect. Belated happy birthday!
Wow - another fantastic episode on the Florida Trail courtesy of Amazing Dixie and her trusty companion Marde! Trekking through some an incredible part of the country, seeing some amazing creatures & sites and meeting some wonderful people who extend kindness to our dear Dixie & Marde. Thank you to those kind people and thank you Dixie for sharing another amazing experience. Please take care.
