Vlog_070. MADE IT TO THE KEYS, Road Trip to Alaska starts tomorrow!!!! MERCH: Ryan2me.com HOW I FIND PARKING APP: www.ioverlande... JOIN MY DISCORD GROUP - / discord INSTAGRAM - / ryantwomeyy TIKTOK - vm.tiktok.com/...
@@BobBobbyIsReallyThatDudeFR a lot of RU-vidrs only post the best parts of van life. Ryan here is showing aspects that they don’t show like making sure you park in a spot that the locals won’t get mad at. Having to dissect whether he can stay or need to move to avoid getting ticketed by cops. I think it’s very genuine. Also reminding us that he needs to adapt to the environment he’s in thus having to break out the AC the first time in months, and having to use wipes to clean himself instead of getting a real shower.
Ryan, whenever you lock your bike up, you always need to lock it through the triangle part of the frame, and through the rear tire as well if possible. And remember almost every bike lock can be cut with a portable angle grinder in minutes. Just a heads up.
Shiiiet, seconds. 3/8th rod in 8 seconds. 1/2" maybe 10-15 seconds. (Commerical refrigeration, not a thief lol) Grinders kinda make every lock pointless. You would need basically a block of steel to stop them. That way its minutes of grinding.
I did the same trip back in '05. I circumnavigated the USA. It took me 1 month to do this & about $10K in cost. Mostly in food & gas, every 3 days I'd get a motel room to get proper rest & a shower. Do this in the summer. Bring extra spare tires! An assortment of spare parts & hand tools. Switch your clocks to the 24:00 hr. system, it will be easier to tell if it's day or night. Good luck, drive safe. 🤠
Me and my wife spent a week in Key West and loved every minute of it. We walked to the beach he was at. The place he got his burger is where we took cover from the , clockwork, afternoon storm. We stood under the overhang and watched lightning zip almost sideways through the palms, some of the most terrifying and exciting time we ever had. You could feel the heat, and the electrical charge from the lightning. We had a great burger and just as fast as it began the storm was over. So we had a very humid walk back to Duval to the truck. Great trip, I recommend it to anyone who ever give it a single thought.
I am from the west coast of Florida in Sarasota, more specifically Siesta Key. I can say that the beaches and water is much nicer on the west coast of FL. If you have the opportunity to go up the west coast you can catch US 41 ( Tamiami Trail) in Miami which cuts west over the the west coast and takes you up along the coast past Naples, Sanibel, up to Sarasota to Siesta Key. Sarasota is a great little town. Siesta Key is really nice. They have a great place called the Village which is shopping and bars and outdoor eating. Then if you get the chance continue up north and catch I-275 which goes over the Skyway Bridge across to Tampa. The west coast driving is beautiful in Florida.
I really enjoyed your tour of Key West and the visit to the beach. Haven't been to Key West since the early 60s. I was about 10 years old and riding in the back seat of my parents' big Chrysler sedan. My parents did not have air conditioning in it, and so had the windows rolled down as we drove south over the bridge to Key West. I remember it being so windy on the bridge that my mother's tube of lipstick flew out of her hand and out the car's passenger window when she was trying to apply lipstick as we drove.
We got the same exact e bike. I love mine. Why such a short time in the Keys. If you think 84 is warm, you haven’t lived in the south. I’m excited you are going to Alaska. How cool. Take care and safe travels. 😎
Florida has some of the most lax homeless laws in the country. I "stelth camped" (before it was a thing) in a publix parking lot in 2011 and even with security roving by.....they let me sleep all night. Florida also has public showers along the coast line, regardless of which coast side you are at.
You were lucky. I lived in south florida for a couple of decades and it has always been hard to overnight in a vehicle in the keys let alone Key West. The police are all over that place. I started going there in 1985. It has always been like that. Once I stayed in the Seashell Hostel when it was part of the IYHA (now virtually defunct). It was $10 a night. Now it is $99 / night. INSANE. Personally I think KW is way overhyped. But then I have been there so many times I have lost count. I have visited just about everywhere there is to visit. East Martello is my favorite with the creepy Robert the doll. I have my secret spots there but it is soooo difficult. Best way is to go out of town and find a bridge with parking. Then put a 5 gallon bucket outside your door with an old fishing rod or two. The cops will assume you are overnight fishing and leave you alone. KW is a money extraction zone. One visit in your life should be enough. Or not. I mean how many $10 beers can you want in Captain Tony's or Sloppy Joe's? Then there is the expensive art galleries. Plenty of Keys like places in Florida don't get hung up on KW. It is super expensive for most people. Mallory Square has turned into a freak show all about money. It used to be a hippy deal. People are often very nasty and territorial and money is their only concern. In fact the whole of Florida is a pain. The only thing good about iot is they get a bit more sun. It really isn't that different in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. As for KW I would say New Orleans is about 100 times better.
I used to camp down in the keys when I was going to school in the 70's. I had an old station wagon I slept in. Before they widened the highway there was a spot by Missouri and Ohio key on the water, I'd sleep at. I always had a fishing line in the water. About half the time around 3am a cop car would come down. It was always the same drill. "Are you camping or fishing?" "Fishing" "OK, have a good evening" Times have changed
2 uploads 2 days in a row lets go! That daily uploading in December really grew on you ey? Lol, no complaints these videos brighten mine and many others day. Much love and omg that E bike is so perfect for key west it reminds me of those old Electric scooters I used to have but on steroids I need one. Shrimp and Key lime pie for dinner, that is the perfect fit for the location.
Hi Ryan! You should get an oscillating fan to put in front of the a/c. It should spread the air around the van. Thanks for the ride It was nice to visit Florida with you. Publix has great key lime pie too. Safe travels❤
Nice suggestion BUT there's just not enough BTU's in that small AC to cool that whole space it's only like 2500-3000 BTU's. it would just spread the little bit of cool air too thin. Most van and even standard car AC's are like 10x or even 20x the capacity of that tiny unit.
Love your videos. Your van is awesome. A suggestion about keeping the van cooler: Try putting a windshield sun visor up and cut some reflectix to fit the front side windows. I think that will help keep some of the heat from accumulating due to sunlight, at least during the day.
Most van owners typically have a full set of those. The problem is that when you put them up they scream "smart person maybe SLEEPING in here"... which turns into a knock. He's in stealrh camp mode.
I'm from Colombia and I've worked with American companies for the past 8 years, I thought I knew a lot about America but you have shown me so much more, love it. Best of luck with this adventure, I'll be looking out for your videos 🤍
Hey bud love the content …… one piece of advice when stealth camping like this is having some mountain house meals that can be made with hot water …. Good thing to have as a just in case
I did this in an '87 vanagon back in 2010 or so. Kayak on the roof helps for stealth camping at 24 hour boat ramps. Just say you're waiting on the tide to change etc.. if anyone asks.
What a beautiful place. Thank you for documenting this and allowing us to live vicariously through you. It is greatly appreciate and super entertaining. Also, behind the bed looks good for the surfboard
I lived in Marathon for 2 1/2 years. I was 19 when I flew down to Orlando, walk the coast to Cocoa Beach. Worked at a hotel for a month, then hitchhike down to the keys. Got a job the next day working with the crew building houses. Later, I was a security guard at night watching the equipment on the new 7 mile bridge that was being built.
If you're going to Alaska, pick up a copy of The Milepost. It's a comprehensive travel guide to the northwest. Even last years issue would work. The '23 edition won't be out till late Feb.
Super cool video!!! Keywest is super expensive. You did it right!!! Although there are a couple camp grounds a couple miles just before Keywest $70-$100 a night. But you did it honorably and super stealth!! Cheers!
I live in my van..I spent 6 years in Florida for the winters...there was a lot of suffering..it's tooooo hot...now I'm spending winters in Nebraska....I'll take sleeping in 40 below...without running my heater....over those dreadfully hot buggy nights any day.....there's nothing better than hunkering down in a cozy van in a snow storm...florida really is beautiful and amazing..but it ain't for everyone.
I've stealth camped for the last 5 years, and I can guarantee that you don't get a good nights sleep if your "iffy" about your location. I ONLY stay where it's 90% or better to stealth camp safely, without getting "The Knock". And because there are now too many stealth camping people around the many places in America, I'm gonna keep the safest and best spots to myself. Word is getting out and cities are passing ordinances of No Sleeping in your vehicles. Plus, my vehicle doesn't even look like a Van or Camping vehicle so it's way less conspicuous, which helps me a lot. Best of Luck, folks!
WOW Ryan's channel is really BLOWING UP, He had 60K subscribers when I first started watching. The algorithm Gods are showering there blessings on Ryan's platform 😂 He's gonna be able to buy a house and some property, and live in the van just for content, like Mav!
You’re living my (and my wife’s) dream. This video popped up on my feed, we love Florida and hope to soon build a van so I had to watch. Definitely subscribing!
I wish when I was younger and without a family I could do what you do. Something about changing scenery driving wherever you want seems so fun. Keep up the good work
It is fun...it's a free way of living...I've lived in my van for 10 years...there's a lot of hardships but it's so worth it..I wouldn't have it any other way...hopefully one day u will b a van dweller too!
Good to see how that zero breeze performs in a van. I guess its not enough just to cool down the interior, you have to put it under the sheets. Have you ever thought about putting up a curtain between the bed area and the living area to see if it will cool that whole space?
You have a soothing voice, at least to me 👊 also thanks for the videos I really love watching these. One of my dreams is to get one of these vans and build it so I can travel all over Canada. Thanks again 👊
Key West Is Beautiful And Fun, Back In The Day. But The Heat And Humidity Is To Much. And The Winters Are Even Warmer Than Years Ago.Have Fun!! Glad To See You On The Road Again.
Hey Ryan , I live in Anchorage Alaska if you’re up this way and you need a place to overnight and hook up to some power and fill up on water. I got room in my driveway.
Gimme a bed, broadband, and a truck stop. I am good. I'm an HVAC guy and I like your cooling setup. Obviously park in the shade when you can. It's way less load. 13:00 Do Walmarts still let you chill in their lot? And I use rags, bucket of water, scrubs WAY better.Then you can dump, hit the laundry next day.
I didn’t realize how much I miss visiting Key West. I used to go 2-3 times a year until 2016 when I had to stop. Now that I live only a 5 hour drive away and am definitely going to take a day trip, maybe an overnight. I’m glad you are not rushing out in the morning. East coast is Atlantic Ocean, waves and sunrises. West coast is calmer and warmer gulf waters and sunsets. I moved to the east coast in 2021 and adore it, but the west coast is super special too. Enjoy the drive up the west coast I hope you are driving through alligator alley on your route. Stay safe!.
So the way you counteract that is book a fishing trip and tell them you are coming down overnight and then just arrive whenever you arrive in their parking lot and stay. Most of these marinas that have fisherman coming out of them are expecting vehicles to be there super early in the morning.so you can just let them know that you are a paying customer. It works every time.
Hey mate . Just came across your channel. Like your content. We have a spot in Naples if you need to plug in for a day or 2. We also have a self converted promaster 😃 Looking forward to seeing more vids from you. Cheers, Toz
Parking ticket in KW is $45. Camping starts at $90 and goes up from there and that's if you can get a spot.... Take the ticket. If a tow truck backs up to your vehicle, get out and greet them then get back in your vehicle. Its against the law to tow a vehicle with someone in it.... Its then just a waiting game and the tow guy will usually go find an easier target....
Maybe some night you ought to drop the cloaking shield and go non stealth. Be obvious AF and show us what happens. I mean, have a backup spot, of course, in case you get the knock. Just spit balling.
Hey Ryan the water in south Florida (west palm thru Miami and the keys) is actually probably the clearest water in the state. North of that on the east coast it gets real murky, and there are definitely some clear spots near the Tampa area but for the most part south Florida is actually the clearest water
I stealth camp when I work 12 hour night shifts. I too have the zerobreeze mkii, but just recently ordered a 24v parking AC mini split from aliexpress. Wish I had gone minisplit to begin with. Since I sleep during the day the zerobreeze just doesn't cut it in my van. If you're concerned about energy I recomend tying the AC into the DC system to save a little bit so it doesn't have to convert DC to AC back to DC. The mkii runs on 24v. and you can buy barrel connectors or order the cable from zerobreeze. Cheers to the adventure.
"There is a chicken in the road just screaming at people." Lol. That made me laugh. BTW it was a rooster doing the yelling. They are all over the Keys. Thanks for posting.
I recommend having blinking lights on the front and back of your bike when riding at night. Can get a pack really cheap on Amazon. Be safe! Otherwise great video! My wife and I have been watching your videos since the beginning.
👍🏻great video, I stayed in my van for 3 weeks in the keys with no issues at all, I parked on the street by that big hotel every night, can’t remember the name of it but I was able to walk out on the Pier and take a dip late at night to cool down before bed, I loved the Keys. Best of luck on your adventures and safe travels.
You should invest in a skid plate for that van if going to alaska. I drove a 98 promaster 3500 and many times in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota I had to take dirt and gravel trails. Both engine and transmission oil pans sit low. I put a skid plate and saved the engine and trans numerous times. You should also throw some all terrain tires once there. I had regular LT street tires. Threw cooper A/T tires and even in snow, it handled great.
I have made that drive about 6 times … and parking anywhere in KW is crazy. Oh, I have stories. 😬 But it’s gorgeous. Eat at Pepe’s or El Meson de Pepe’s or 5 Brothers (best Cafe con Leche). My cousin lived on KW for 7 years. Not to burst the bubble there, but that’s not the Southernmost point.
My wife and I did full time van life for a couple years. Can't believe I'm just now finding your channel. I dig it. And. Prudhoe bay is pronounced proo dough. We are Alaskans. ;)
The keys are my happy place. We have a couple houses about an hour from the keys in Marathon. Love driving over the 7 Mile bridge it's such a beautiful place. Actually just spent two weeks there back in December
Such a cool portable A/C unit. Definitely will look into that. Not needed as much in the Pacific Northwest but sometimes we get surprised here and get over 90 degree weather in summer.
Hey Ryan, why don't you invite your friends to go as far as they can with you, and catch an flight or train back at said points they need to turn back on, and meet you same way.. I think it would be a cool set of videos. Hope you stay in each spot a few days Andale some good videos for us to see each spot you visit. Glad you posted again. Safe journey.
Best time ever, dude. Great ride. Your solitude now becomes the gift to another you could never have acquired in the company of others. You don't get to be or become that guy any other way. Not just a little jelly over here, man. Bov V!
I have the same bike and lock. You may need a cable lock around large poles. I use a small disc lock too, but sometimes I forget to bring them, so I use the folding lock.
Hey Ryan, Great work on another video! I may cross your path when I head over to the VanLife campout outside of Tampa. I will wave or give you a light flick when we pass one another! Thanks for showing the Coast Guard Cutter, as a Coast Guard veteran, I appreciate it!
You know you could have just went to a public beach and their bathrooms have showers, just had to wear a bathing suit is all. All restrooms on the beach have showers and even some of our rest stops on the interstate have showers as well. I hope you at least went through the forgotten coast of Florida (north west), they are probably the most beautiful unpopulated beaches Florida has to offer.
Well I generally don't follow this site but I ran across it so I thought I would check this video. From what I could see you had a very nice van. I checked it out for the main reason that I used to live and work in Key West. I worked on the shrimp boats during in the shrimping season. I can't believe you didn't show yourself going into sloppy joes. When I went into sloppy joes and sit down at the bar I wasn't paying attention to the people at the time. When I started kind of looking around at people and checking things out it just so happens I set down beside of Jimmy Buffett and didn't realize it until I started checking people out and that just flipped me out. I didn't stay real long time but Jimmy and myself both talked about being out on the ocean it seems that we both really enjoyed the serenity of the ocean and the excitement of the storms although he sailed and I worked and I mean I worked my ass off on a shrimp boat there were times in between dragging the Nets that it was relaxing. I didn't stay that long at sloppy joes because at one point in my life I was in the music business and most people that were really popular didn't like to talk very much about what they do only what they like that was basically the only way you can really carry on a conversation with a popular musician. So you might keep that in mind if you ever meet one. Anyway even though you showed going through the streets pretty fast I could still recognize a few things. You didn't say whether you went by Ernest Hemingway's house and as you went so fast I really couldn't tell that. Again anyway not a bad video hope you enjoy your trip stay safe because in the very near future trips like that won't be that possible. Think about it. Stay vigilant! PS I just remembered that you poured out a lot of water from your little AC you didn't know it I suppose but you can drink that water especially after filtering it and it's also a way to collect water even when you're not trying to cool down. I'm sure you seen the little short ads about making water out of thin air well that's how you do it. Think about it all you got to do is filter it
Hey Ryan you can go to a TRUCK STOP some of them have showers, if there isn't a Planet Fitness around. Also most gyms give a FREE 1ST VISIT, when you sign up online. Most all Big gyms have that promotion. Just in case a Planet fitness isn't around.
