Solo Camping & Kayaking | Fort De Soto Park and Shell Key Preserve 

I am battling that "go alone" as well. I do get a little fearful but its time to enjoy and not wait on others to do adventures. 🥰

Gary is a Cormorant. He looks for fish all the time. Under the kayak he likes the shade and low glare to see better and hide. Gary's friend is also a Cormorant. I love the nacho pan. I would need at least one all to myself. Also I would get a 7' light salt spinning rod, a two or three piece one and a Shimano reel. 14# line and some white bucktail jigs. Also chartreuse. (Fish bite on white. But you can't lose with chartreuse) There could be some tasty snapper or cobia or a grouper under the sea. Worth a try here and there. Plus you are already there! Also a couple 1oz. sinkers and some #4 or #6 Owner octopus hooks on a redneck rig with hooklears. (Just in case you happen on some hermit crabs or minnows for bait. I can't help it, I'm a Cormorant).

I love that Gary and his friend took time out of their day to spend it with you, usually the wildlife is too busy!!! So many things to explore down there, thanks for sharing!

The awesome thing about doing things alone is that you tend to meet other people doing the same thing... some of them are weird and you realize why they're alone, but others are really awesome and you end up making the friends that do the things you want to do - instead of feeling like everyone is too busy to come hang out. Love your channel, btw! You're hitting a lot of spots I know or want to check out!

I always told people that said it is so dangerous… sitting on the couch is more dangerous.

Kelly, I'm loving this Florida Series. I'm a Native Floridian and enjoying your first time experiences to seeing it for what it truly is... I forget sometimes how beautiful Florida is due to the changes and population explosion I have seen in my life time. I actual paused the video to comment. The "TOLL lady" is correct. "Don't be stressed, YOU are in Florida!" People forget that. It's suppose to be a laid back no hurry place. Also, I recommend getting a "Sunpass" for the TOLL roads. I also noticed the shark/dolphin correction. Very good. Loving this series. Keep up the great work and HAVE FUN doing it. Now back to your video.

Man there’s so much to love about this video! Gary, nachos, Ft DeSoto, the sunset, your perspective, awesome work.

Love it! Thanks for reminding me that I don’t have to beg people to go with me. I always want to go places no one else wants to go and I don’t go because of that. Ugh! Encouraged. :)

Your videos are so entertaining! Gary, the bird was awesome. You are my favorite you tuber. 💛

I just took my brand-new paddleboard out by Fort De Soto (tbh, because of this video) and Gary and his friend joined me! They're still out there, looking for that sweet underwater shade. Thanks for filming all these wonderful places that I'm not too far from!

at 6:31 those were 100% dolphins. Sharks have straight fins. "If it's curved, just swerve. If it's straight, you finna get ate." That's how I remember it lol

You are right life is short, you’ll never know what tomorrow brings. Take it from someone like me who is recovering from two strokes. I am on my sixth year and still can’t move my legs, the first year I couldn’t control my left eye I couldn’t focus with one, couldn’t swallow because I did not know when to breath or swallow. So you’ll never know what going happen one day you are kayak fishing the next you are bedridden because of a stroke. So have fun enjoy your life make everyday count.

Never live in fear… I have traveled the world most of my life - alone! Yes as a women. Chase after those dreams! If things feel off you’ll know… then just pack up and leave. Having company is fun but sometimes being alone is better 😁 enjoy every minute God grants you

For tolls.

Lol that looks like soooo much fun I wanna go kayaking and camping in the keys 😮❤ I’m gonna have come hang with you and Gary sometime lol that was pretty cool… I totally agree I stopped living my life on someone else’s schedule, I have since got use to doing things alone too.. my life was always the same always waiting on someone to go do something I wanted to do now I actually enjoy my solo trips doing the same thing hiking, kayaking, and camping…

I liked your video and it didn't was clean and didn't show you undressed and I like that .God bless you Chaplain Dale Stearns

What a beautiful campsite. I was happy to see your PFD on your kayak. Did it get any cooler air in central Florida like we did up here in northern FL.? Stay well and be safe.

I am loving the Florida videos, maybe even more than the AT. Can't wait to see where you go next. Have fun and be safe.

This the state of Florida and yes you are aloud to carry a gun for self defense, there is no reason not to do it... :)

Yep porpoises not sharks. Those tag along birds are cracking me up. At least you didn’t have to talk to yourself all day lol

Go alone comments were interesting. I’ll acknowledge different for a female. Although great to do with friends, life is simpler when alone.

The jumping fish are mullet. DOLPHINS love mullet.

If you are going to live in Florida, you need to get an SunPass so you don’t have to stop for tolls.

I think the bird at 4:38 and following you around is a cormorant

Loved "Gary" your water stalker, not to be confused that Land Squirrel from Texas...!! LOL. And your take on life and doing things on your terms, alone, if need be is so true. In my travels thru the 80's across this country and in the US Navy, I realized I didn't have any tokens or pictures to validate my travels. And it occurred to me I did it for me, not to show as an accomplishment or achievement to validate my own happiness. Don't get me wrong, I wish we had cell phones back then to help navigate and take quick pictures. But in the end, it was the experience and how it enhanced my understanding of the world that mad me feel happy and satisfied I did it. So, thank you once again for taking me on your little trip... BTW - your tin foil meals were a staple of my summer meals in the teenage years. Great way to throw things together quickly and chow down... Happy trails!!!!

I’m totally hungry now. Btw, the bird was a cormorant, the flower was a morning glory.

Loved the adventure. And I especially love your life philosophy regarding travel and doing things. Bravo.

We are really enjoying your weekend adventures in Florida. It's great that you're going to nature places that typically tourists don't even know about. Gary (I think that's what you named the bird) was a funny, unexpected, & uninvited delightful visitor. You have a great way of including unexpected things/animals in your videos. That also makes me think of the mud you had to go through while carrying your kayak. I'm glad you include stuff like that. I don't know if I remembered to comment on the video you took at the hospital during the hurricane. It was interesting and a different point of view than I saw on the news. I appreciated you sharing your accommodations too. Finally, I appreciate hearing from or about James. We know he is special to you and important in your life so it's great that you include some aspect in your video.

So glad you made it over to Pinellas County and Fort DeSoto Park. Gary and his friend were happy to show you around Shell Key...LOL! He certainly wasn't camera shy! A great campsite with a beautiful view, you'll have to come back with James! Those nachos looked awesome!

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Great video Kelly! Thanks for sharing your adventures. As a kayaker, I can relate to wading through the muddy muck more times than I care to recount. A couple years ago, my kayaker buddy died unexpectedly and none of my other friends cared to go as much as I did. As painful as it was, I had to start all over with a new set of liked minded adventure friends because as you say, life is too short to sit at home.

Kelly, thoroughly enjoyed your video but wondering if you carry a life jacket with you when kayaking? 2nd question: what is James doing on his weekends?

Thanks for sharing this adventure. I love hiking and want to camp and be outdoors more and my husband isn’t really into it. This is inspiring me to look into some solo adventures. Plus, Ive lived Florida (most recently st pete) for 12, maybe 15 years and never considered camping at fort de Soto like this. Now we are on our own adventure…. We sold everything and have been traveling around USA (via airbnbs and furnished spots), for 18 months now. Thank you so much for sharing this.🧡

love Gary!! what a great solo trip. I love doing stuff alone dont have to worry about other ppls schedules! I'm researching BA tents right now, I guess you recommend??.🤣

That’s my favorite local camping spot :) Lithia Springs and EG Cummings are also some awesome spots nearby.

Nice!!! I'm glad you liked my recommendation 🙂. I was just there last weekend with my wife and son. I need to bring less gear next time, I may have went overboard with the glamping. Need to keep the family comfortable. I wonder if we were there at the same time. I was in campsite 11. I was the loud person snoring haha.

Great video! I have been trying to get a water RV site at Ft Desoto for a while now! What is your secret? I go to the state park reservation site and everything is always full! Gary is an Anhinga…or also called a snake bird. He was looking for food you were stirring up with your paddle. Love seeing your adventures here. I too need to quit waiting on friends and just going it alone.

Dawwww freakin Gary!! Probably thought you were going to fish haha. What a cool kayak sesh!

So you like to camp, hike, kayak, explore, food, adventure your an all round perfect, fun to be around girl. Why can't more girls be like you. As always brilliant content showing us first-hand what places are like. We all thank you. Keep them coming take care and best wishes

Meal looks delicious Kelly enjoy

Great video thanks for sharing and you made me hungry

Well great. Now I want some nachos. That bird following you had me rollin'. Great video!

Your friend is hilarious! We went to Ft Desoto once. It's beautiful! Great camping spot! That campfire dinner looks delicious! Looks lilke Florida life is agreeing with you! You look very happy Kelly Hays!

That is a beautiful area up there. I am 63 and I've been tent camping alone for 42 years I have never been afraid of wildlife but for the last 20 years crazy humans have kept me on edge but I am well prepared and trained to handle situations.

Give those pesky animals the paddle / oar to chew on. (If they get too close). 😊 ||| What a nice camp site with a million dollar view.

That meal you prepared looked awesome. I think Gary and friends were Anhingas - a.k.a. snake birds.

Totally enjoyed your adventure. Enough so that I was paying more attention to it then the spreadsheet I'm supposed to work on. Yikes. Beautiful place and so relaxing. Well done and thanks for sharing.

You packed a lot into your weekend. And life truly is short. Glad you had your life jacket but Life Jacket Worn, Nobody Mourns.

Wow,,you virtually had the place all to yourself. The island .

Gary was great. Loved your dinner, yummy. Love you guys. California Joanna

Gary seemed pretty cool.Nice camping spot too.Those nachos had my mouth watering.

Great video, very interesting to see Shell Key and the fort. Those nachos look good, will have to try them.

Kelly, that bird is a Cormorant. It's a fish eating diving bird and it's feathers will get water logged and has to sit in the sun with it's wings spread to dry out so that it can fly again. Those weren't sharks, they were dolphins. A sharks dorsal fin is more vertical and straight where as the dolphin's is more rounded and pointing rearward. When you get out to walk around wear shoes or sandals and walk shuffling your feet so that you don't step on sting rays and the shuffling will send then swimming out in front of you. Keep you eyes open for sharks as they like living out around those shallow islands and most shark attacks are in knee deep water. Don't be afraid of the water just learn what can and can't hurt you. I was afraid until I learned what was dangerous. What a great attitude! I live by three sayings. 1. If it ain't fun, why do it. 2. Everyone who died this morning had plans for this afternoon and 3. Make memories, not dreams. If you want to do something, just do it!

Just love your adventures. !! Gary is adorable …

Awesome tour! So beautiful nature around! Pretty cool views!

Site 5 Ft DeSoto my fav. Close to bathrooms. 😊

New sub here. Man, you couldn't plan a better trip! Thanks for sharing!

Wow, you have a knack for camping, that’s for sure! First that campsite, it doesn’t get much better than that. In CA you’d have to be on a year long waitlist to snag anything close to that. Then the camp setup with the fire pit, tent, hammock, expert level. Finally the camp nacho’s OMG those looked so good and the cast iron pan would keep them crispy. You might have to share a link to the recipe, or, we can rewatch the video and pause 😂 Really enjoyed it!

You didn’t know you had a bird stalker huh??? 😂

Nice looking kayak Kelly

It much better going alone than not going at all. I have always had a hard time finding Action Adventure friends because most are too lazy to do what we do. Especially Mountain Biking and Canoeing/ Kayaking/ Camping / Hiking. South Georgians like motorized… easy fun. At 65, I’ve had to slow down some myself.

You’re one adventurous girl 👍 just stay safe out there. ❤😊

I truly enjoyed this adventure and can only imagine how you enjoyed it in person!

We met today! Love your thoughts on this video. Make sure you get a chance to try out the map I left on your Car :) And if you want to do some of the Florida trial, I love to help!

You are right gotta get out there I do things alone to life is to short not to hope everything is well with you live it up girl you doing it

You are an amazing young lady. I love that you said why should I make my plans a round someone’s else’s day. At 67 years old I am still doing that. I need to start doing it on my own. Thanks for sharing your trip with us and my next camping trip I am going to try your recipes.⛺️🍁🪵💕

Hi, I think your videos are great, camera work, editing, personality! Keep up the good work, stay safe!

I have seen a kayak rack that fits on top, but slides back and tips down for easy loading and unloading. Trying to find a link.

Loved Gary. He was a cutie. Loved the video

That was so funny... ur friend gary!

The swimming birds are Cormorants, probably followed you around as your kayak stirred up fish which they like to eat. 😊

You're gonna love Florida after you get familiar with the hurricanes and heat and humidity..Thanks for the video and you look happy and healthy..

Good to see you made it to Ft. Desoto. Fun video. We were out there a couple times last week.

Desert looks delicious

The bird is a comorants. Their pretty cool.

that would be awesome! love your new friends

Damn girl, it's 11:00 pm and watching you make that nacho thing is making me Huuuungry! Lol, looks like living in Florida agees with you.

Nice campsite Kelly. Those nachos looked amazing!!

Great video Kelly

Girl, I just moved down here as well with my daughter. I wanna do all the things. Hard meeting folks but adventuring is so fun. I just need to go get my doggone kayak and hit it, stop being so scurred. 😀 lol that bird went underwater playing hide and seek with you, cracked me up.

Nice, you went to Shell! When you camp out there next time don't go around the front of the island, go to the back side. There are a few points where you can park your kayak and take a path through sand dunes to the beach side. We usually camp right at the edge of the bird preserve area. There's a path from the back right there.

The next time you're in town, just drive further up, first right past the toll both and launch from there. Butler hole is absolutely disgusting.

I've been meaning to do a solo kayak and camping at SHell Key Island. Need to do a site survey first. Love Fort Desoto.

Loved your video. Glad you are enjoying FL and taking advantage of all the great places to see and do. I admire your willingness to do things alone. Stay safe and have fun.

"Ju-lap-n-o" YES!!!! I knew we were sisters!!! 🤣

With each paddle stroke you were kicking up little minnows, crustations, etc for Gary to snack on. Gary is a smart Anhinga

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That's too cool live your best life

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I really look forward to your vids. I’ve been following your journey since u first did the gear review before u did the AT,, you have amazing energy keep shining

Just found your vids. All awsome. Is there any chance you can leave the states and visit me in the highlands of scotland 🤷🏼‍♂️😂 love what you do. Freedom ✌️🧘🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I know exactly what you’re saying. Most of the time I prefer to do things by myself cause then you don’t have to worry what someone else wants to do or when they want to do it. BTW, Florida is totally Badass!!!!!!! Which kinda’ sucks………… CAUSE I LIVE IN OHIO! 😠

Looks like a wonderful time outdoors Kelly. Yor adventure really got me curious to learn how to Kayak now ;)

I love your adventures and channel. Much respect from Michigan ❤

Young lady, I just started watching your channel. All I just want to tell you is that you got more ⚾🏀🏈⚽🏐's then many man watching your channel. Also you should trade your SUV for a small 4 door pickup truck for easier in and out and storage your equipment. Be safe and protect yourself, and stay 💪🏼

I hope it doesn't go Jurassic Park with a bunch of those birds coming out of nowhere.

Gary is using you to flush fish for him to catch. I love Ft DeSoto campground & have stayed there countless times. FYI; the waterfront sites can be plagued by wind that keeps tents , tarps, & hammocks constantly flapping.

According to Social Blade your monthly subscribers are up 250% so just keep posting videos and you will continue to grow. The whole secret to RU-vid is just keep putting up the content you will get the people.

... Gary ...too funny ,, bird is a Cormorant ,, some call it a Water Turkey ,, they eat their body weight in fish per day .. careful around them , they have wicked talons ...

Great place. Serious talk about having the right life jacket and wear it every time you kayak. Round these parts people drown all time, and I just want you to be safe. Girl, those nachos were awesome lookin... great times always!