Surprise Destination: Dead Lakes Recreation Area, Florida

Thanks to Campendium!

After the holidays visiting with our families in Georgia, the plan was to head west to Arizona. Bah! Silly us! Plans- why do we make them? They always change!

With our Ford Explorer hauling our Casita, if Google Maps says 10 hours to get somewhere, it will take us double time to get there. We plan for a 20 hour trip. With tax season in full swing, for Adam that wasn't the best decision. 

We re-routed ourselves and headed south to Florida. We never expected 2017 would keep us in the Southeast.

A photo posted by Adam & Lindsey Nubern (@nuventuretravels) on Jan 17, 2017 at 4:05pm PST

Yes, we're 30 and snow birds already. We're claiming it!

Our destination in Florida: Camel Lake Campground in Apalachicola National Forest.

Why? It was a green spot on the map and only $10 per night. 

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Morning Fog at Camel Lake Campground, Apalachicola National Forest, Florida, USA

We've learned too much research and too many decisions burn us out. So,  we make a decision and are flexible. Anything can happen along the journey.

We arrived at dusk and learned- no Verizon coverage. We never thought of ourselves as being "those" people attached to the internet when we're out in the woods. To live this lifestyle, we are. That's the reality.  

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Dusk at Camel Lake Campground in Apalachicola National Forest, FL

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Next Destination: Dead Lakes Recreation Area, Wewahitchka, Florida

Success! Four bars of Verizon. And, only $14 per night for water, power, fire wood, and laundry.

Lesson learned: Check out coverage at campsites before you arrive on Campendium! And, we called to triple check.

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It's the perfect spot out in the middle of "nowhere." (It's only thirty minutes to Panama City, Florida if you want to get some activity.) It's the perfect spot to land for a lot of quiet time and little distraction. And- for photographers and fishermen/women.

The Apalachicola River changed course killing the trees in this area reasoning the name Dead Lakes. The bird watching is amazing here! Haven't seen gators- yet! 

The folks in the campsite have welcomed us as family and have been wonderful to us. Thankful for this gem near the Forgotten Coast of Florida.

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Check out more photos from our Florida adventures here.

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Watch a video of a Friday morning on the dock. 

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Your turn! What are camping lessons have you learned the hard way? We all live and learn, eh?

Camper Turned Glamper: Tiny House Remodel Before & After

You ready for this before and after? Woop woop! Let's do this! I've been so excited to share!

We took a video touring our new camper the day after we bought our 2009 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer. You'll see my excitement! 

We had just come from five months living out of a campervan (ahem, minivan) in New Zealand. The bed served many purposes: bed, couch, kitchen counter, and as the kitchen table many days.

Living Tiny in New Zealand

Our campervan, Bernie, in New Zealand.

My Aunt Janet visiting our camper. She was a great sport!

Adam cooking on the bed frame.

Our campervan bathroom situation? Public showers and campsite drop toilets. Yuck! After five months of this-- you'd be this excited about your own bathroom, too!

The bathroom logistics aside, campervanning New Zealand changed our lives. So much so, I wrote a book for other travelers on how to do it: How to Buy a Campervan in New Zealand.  

Our lifestyle was on the move every day seeing NZ's beautiful sites. We were living tiny, with only what we needed, and the outdoors became our extended living space. By being pushed outside, we saw the southern lights and an eclipse at random! We loved it and we were hooked.

When we returned to the US, we wanted to continue this nomadic lifestyle-- as long as I had my own toilet and shower. I was firm on this and stood my ground against Adam's "truck stop shower" solution.

The arguments over the bathroom situation were real! You can watch how it went down on our episode of HGTV's Tiny House Hunters as Backpackers Go Tiny here.

Okay, you ready to see the before and after? Here we go!

Before:

Here's a tour of our 2009 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer the day after we bought her. Welcome to Bernadette! Her name comes from being lovelier and classier than Bernie our NZ campervan. 

Now, nine months later... a few things have changed!

After: Camper Turned Glamper

Check her out! 

The view when you walk in.

The bed area.

The breakfast table nook.

View from the bed in the back toward the front door and bathroom door.

The bathroom door open... the toilet and shower are still in there:)

View of the kitchen with the sink, stove top, and refrigerator.

Our kitchen sink with two burners.

Aerial view of the kitchen space between the front door and bed.

She's our home! Photo credit: Charlie K Media.

What Really Happened Between Before & After?

1. Bed Space

We initially thought we'd use both tables a lot. Since making the bed for the first time (by collapsing the big table down), the table's never been back. It's too much effort. So, we keep the big table down as our bed and couch, and use the little side table for all the meals, working, and craft making. 

Breakfast in Bernadette- our favorite part of the day!

2. Tow Vehicle

We're towing our Casita with our 2002 Ford Explorer. Her name's Shugs, because for her condition (200,000+ miles and she's on her fourth transmission) she's been super sweet to us. 

Sunset in Texas. Daggum!

3. Making Her Our Cozy Home

My mom came to the rescue. How was I going to turn carpeted walls and faux wood cabinets into our home? Well, we did a lot of brainstorming, crafting and shoppin' til we were droppin' together! Thank you, Mom! 

My study guide? Glamping with Mary Jane. It was gifted to us from our friends, the Thompson's. I read this book front to back.

Gosh! It was so nice to be validated that what I really want is okay. To live nomadically, but still feel like a lady with my own toilet, shower and decorative pillows and bunting!

I gave roughing it a valid go. On our #nuventures, we've lived in a tent for five months; a minivan for five months; and we backpacked for six months. We did everything as low budget as we could to keep traveling. Many of you even hosted us on our journey. Thank you!

In our camper, we can travel in comfort and we have everything we need. 

Now, that we have our own space in the world, we can host folks. Aw, she's not too tiny. 

Please come on over! You're always welcome and we'd love to have you!

4. A Change from "Experiment" to "This Feels Right" 

When we first bought our camper, we knew this was an experiment. We had no idea if this was the right lifestyle for us or even the right size camper. We're living in about 100 square feet.

Our tentative plan was to live a year living this lifestyle. If it didn't work, we were ready to adjust and make a change. Honestly, we had no idea what we were doing (emptying tanks, getting water, how to get electricity), but we were curious and excited (obviously).

After nine months of living in Bernadette, she's our home. We've even started planning what Year 2 will look like traveling and living in her.

Through just going for it and experimenting, we figured out we love this lifestyle! 

Cheers to more glamping #nuventures! Come on over and join in!

On the road again...

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Travel Woes

Introduction to the Past Week

They say, "Everything comes in threes."

But, they also say, "When it rains it pours."

This last week, the challenges have been pouring on us

Because, it hasn’t been three it’s been four. 

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1. Where's the Car?

5:51 PM. August 18, 2016. Bay Street. San Francisco, CA.

Where’s the car?

I don’t see it. This is bizarre.

Tow Zone

No Stopping

No Standing

4 to 6 PM

My heart is racing.

Now I can’t stop pacing.

This was the place.

The pin and pics he sent show this space.

6:01 PM

Where’s the car?

I don’t see it. This is bizarre.

“Excuse me, Mr. Towman.

Is my car in your tow can?”

“Why yes, we have it.

It’ll be $520 to get the outfit.”

“What? I cannot believe

I need that kinda money to retrieve…”

6:05 PM

“He said it’s at 450 7th Street.

Wasn’t there stuff in the backseat?”

“How do you use Uber?”

This has gotta be a blooper.

My phone’s dying.

I wanna start crying.

6:28 PM

Where’s the car?

I don’t see it. This is bizarre.

“Are you Marko?

We’ve had a big sorrow.”

“Oh, I know where to go.

I take so many, I’m a pro.”

“Heck, I’ve even been towed.

Get ready, cus they take all your dough.”

7:34 PM. AutoReturn. San Francisco Police Department. San Francisco, CA. 

“Here’s the $520.

This has gotta be plenty.”

“There’s your car in the metal thicket,

And an additional $95 parking ticket.”

“What? A thirty-minute mistake.

Please give us a one-time-offense break.”

“I don’t have authorization

To relieve you from this citation.”

Well this just takes the cake

Now I gotta tension headache

Now, where’s the car?

I don’t see it. This is bizarre.

8:07 PM

Well, my wallets $650 lighter.

Now I’m a certified nail biter.

SF parking ain’t no disco.

Looks like its time to go.

San Fran this is how you treat your guests?

You’ll be getting our protests.

Now, where’s the plane?

The Nubern’s are on that train.

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2. Intruder! Intruder!

I pulled out a box to reorganize odds and ends.

Brown pellets? When did this become a trend?

Oh, no, we have new friends!

I spent four hours following the trace.

So many pellets all over the place. 

This was real. I was on an official mouse chase.

Unpacking, scouring, cleaning and scrubbing.

There’s so much poop. On what was he grubbing?

My anger is boiling. I’m ready for a slugging.

Discovery- Oh no! He made a nest.

Not in our flannel sheets in the winter chest!

Oh, that little pest!

I have to say, he does have good taste.

But, those sheets have to be replaced.

This is too much, his piled toxic waste!

Mouse poop is nothing to play.

Didn’t they carry the bubonic plague?

“Let me find him!” I prayed.

I’m after this intruder!

These aren’t old walls of a tudor.

This is a tiny RV and absolute pest excluder!

I scoured every nook and cranny.

Could it be an Annie or a Danny?

He’s lucky I couldn’t find his little fanny.

Well, did we ever find the little bugger?

Why yes, it was an ease catching this mugger.

That stinky, dumb, little sucker.

Through our laughter watching Sisters and the noisy AC

I heard a scrambling beneath me.

“Could this be him?” I thought with glee!

We turned everything off.

I held my breath not to cough.

I knew we were about to have a mouse standoff.

I silently put my ear to the cupboard

It was loud like a ruckus of buzzard!

Watch out, boy! We’re not Mother Hubbard!

I opened the door slowly not to induce

The beast to run off and be let loose

But, all we found was a cute, fury, little goose

poking his head up to see “Hey, what’s the news?”

Adam carefully took the trash box out

and quickly tied the plastic bag like takeout.

We couldn’t hurt the little sprout.

Adam let him go like a good boy scout.

I sighed relief. Done was the pursuit.

Gosh, he was so cute!

How could I have harmed the fury little newt?

I had been ready to prosecute.

“Where’d he run to, our newest pet?”

Adam pointed to the big rock next to our kitchenette.

“I’ve seen him hiding there by his tiny sillouette.”

“Oh, no,” I said “He’s still a threat.”

“He’ll be back.” My hopes crashed.

So away I went stationing a trap next to the trashed.

It’s been three days now with peanut butter and metal clashed.

I hope I won’t find him smashed.

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3. Moldy Fridge

I opened the fridge with a blast to the nose

The smell of rank hit me like a blow

I saw spots of mold growing all over in trios

Thankfully there were only condiments to go

But I cleaned down those splotchy walls

Bernadette can't be smelling like bathroom stalls!

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4. The Leak is Looking Bleak

We need a professional plumber

These rains from the summer

Are making us crazy.

No, we haven’t been lazy.

We can’t find the leak.

We’ve taken more than twenty peeks.

It’s not just a slow pitter patter.

It’s a serious matter.

There’s a lake forming at the the door.

To wait there is such a bore.

We gotta fill the invisible hole.

Or our heads are gonna blow.

We need a professional plumber.

These rains from the summer

Are making us crazy.

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Conclusion

Poetry can be healing

When the emotions are up to the ceiling

And your brain won’t stop wheeling.

It’s joy your thoughts are stealing.

Challenges will come up spontaneously

Making hot anger your radiancy. 

If you take a step back

From the anxiety attack

You see your blessings way over stack

All the current negative whack

So protect your joy and don’t let it be easily hijacked.  

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True stories of #nuventures. Who knew deep frustrations would lead to an outburst of poetry? I guess the pursuit of making it rhyming comedy is my coping mechanism.  

How do you handle the tough moments when you feel like everything's crazy and out of control?

Faces of the AT: Meet Deb + Karen. They Ditched Their Husbands to Build Muscle

I set out at 2 o’clock with my camera and a pen and paper just to see what would happen. I left our campsite, crossed the single-lane bridge, and walked toward the coffee shop in Damascus, Virginia.  This is a popular spot in town with a gear shop, coffee shop and Subway all in a row. It's the spot to get everything you need as an Appalachian Trail hiker- rest for the weary legs, gear, caffeine, and cheap food!

As I was opening the door to go inside, two ladies came out. Sporting colorful bandanas, I knew they were hikers. 

“Are you thru hiking?” In an exhausted tone, they answered, "No, section hikers. We just finished."

"You just finished?!? Can we chat?"

Turns out, I crossed paths with these sisters at the perfect timing! Deb, 58.5, and sister Karen, 60, had just finished a 24 day section hike of the Appalachian Trail walking 231.1 miles from Davenport Gap, Tennessee to Damascus, Virginia. Sa-weet! Nice job ladies!

Meet Deb and Karen!

They had time to kill while waiting for their much deserved bed and breakfast to come get them. We all took a seat at the table and they let me have it recounting their entire month together on the trail. We talked for over an hour. 

Here I was sitting with these two powerhouse women during the moment they had finished their goal. I was in heaven listening to their stories. I kept thinking, "I want to be you when I grow up!" 

The most shocking moment in the entire conversation was when Deb said, "My husband didn’t care as long as I wasn’t dragging him along!” Bahaha! These ladies ditched their husbands for a month to set off on their own adventure of what they love to do: backpacking. Go girls! 

The two had hiked together with their husbands for five days on the Ozark Highlands Trail last year. Once it was over, the guys made it known backpacking wasn’t their thing. The sisters, on the other hand, loved it and wanted more! They set a date on-the-spot for May 1, 2016. They wanted to take off on a long hike. It wouldn't be about the miles though. Karen said, "We wanted to find out about ourselves wherever our strength would take us."

Their three main missions:

1. To test their strength as backpackers and see when they’d get their “trail legs” on a long-distance hike; 

2. To get experience being fully self-contained if the either of them ever want to do a solo backpack in the future; 

3. To experience the beauty and variety of the woods. 

Over the 24 days, they accomplished everything they set out to do.

First, they set out to test their strength and see when they’d get their trail legs on a long hike. Did they get their “trail legs?” Deb said ”I don’t think so. I can’t climb 2,000 vertical feet and still not know it. I'm still sucking air.”  But, both agreed they got stronger. They could go longer and weren’t as stiff in the mornings as the month progressed. 

Second, the ladies wanted to test their backpacking skills by being totally self contained. They each carried everything they would need without sharing the load. These ladies have their gear down to a science with Deb’s pack never being more than 25 pounds including the food and water inside. However, when considering if they’d do a solo trip in the future, Deb said, "I don't think so," and Karen chimed in, “It’s just so nice to share the experience and views with someone else."

Look at those tiny packs! Everything they needed for food, water, shelter, and clothing for a full month!

Third, the ladies totally immersed themselves in the wilderness and watched spring unfold on the trail around them. Their timing was perfect. They started on May 1 as planned. The trees were leafing. Before fully emerging, the buds were brown and orange creating the feeling of fall. Then, as the days progressed they were starting to see all the leaves unfold. The wild flowers bloomed showcasing the colors of springs with the greens, whites, and pinks. Karen rattled off  the names of the flowers they'd seen. "We saw trillium, delphinium, geranium, irises, azaleas, magnolia macrophylla..." My fingers couldn't keep up with her extensive list. Can you guess Karen's trail name? Flora! 

In order to really experience the beauty,  the sisters realized they had to be very intentional and protect their main goal: the experience. 

They noticed there are three types of folks on the trail:

1. People who are focused on the beauty and the experience

2. Hikers who are focused on finishing the miles each day

3. Folks focused on the social aspect of the trail

They realized you risk experiencing the beauty around you when you focus on the miles and the numbers. At breakfast, they would hear hikers say, "I'm feeling 27 miles today. I'm gonna do it." The sisters realized when you focus on the numbers, you miss the beauty around you. 

To protect their mission and not be rushed to race through the days, they gave themselves ample time to complete the 231 mile stretch so they could stick to an enjoyable pace. They averaged about ten miles a day finishing several days ahead of schedule. Way to go!

They were happy they gave themselves enough time, because they were amazed by several landscapes guide books didn’t warn them about. The most surprising view on the trail: Laurel Falls in Tennessee.

Then, the conversation moved to Deb's most frenzied “out-of-her-comfort-zone” experience on the trail. I wondered, "Was it with a bear? A snake? A spider?" No, it was with people in the shelter on Mt. Roan!

The shelter is the highest shelter on the entire AT. It sits on top of the mountain and has four walls like a cabin. Most shelters on the AT only have three walls. It was the sisters' only night choosing to stay in a shelter, because the weather was calling for freezing rain over night and it would be even colder since they were on top of a mountain.  The sisters were the first ones there and took the loft area in hopes of having some privacy. As the night progressed, more and more people started showing up and settling in. As more people came in, Deb's discomfort rose. More hikers meant more sleeping bags and less space. It was getting so cramped other hikers were setting up their sleeping bags only a few feet from her pillow! She didn’t know what to do. The panic was setting in. Karen chimed in, "She was so worried she was rocking back and forth." Deb replied, "I know! How could I sleep so close to a stranger and his wife?”

As the older sister, Karen was laughing but tried to comfort her sister. She offered to switch places. She even offered for the two to leave the cabin and set up their tents in the freezing cold outside. Tight quarters didn't bother her from her experience in the Army. Deb was tempted by her sister's offers. She wanted to get out of there and be in the comfort of her own tent. But, she couldn't let her discomfort cause her sister to freeze. So, she overcame the moment and lived through a night in the shelter.

However, one of the other hikers had his last straw with the trail that night. He couldn't handle the freezing cold and cramped shelter, so he called his wife and bailed from his thru-hike under the same circumstances.

Deb's story had me rolling. I was imagining her sitting back reading and relaxed for the night. Then, I could just see her eyes getting wider and wider as strangers starting claiming spots in the loft inching closer and closer to sleeping bag. What should she do? 

I know the claustrophobic, panic stricken feelings of sleeping shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers on both sides. I've spent the night on roach infested overnight Thai ferries and New Zealand backcountry huts. You feel like you have to close your eyes tight, crawl into a ball and collapse within yourself just to get through it. Your worst fear is waking up and staring into an unfamiliar face inches away from your own. Or, realizing you are spooning or being spooned by strangers. Ah! What a nightmare!

I think Deb had the upper hand on this experience. After smelling some of these AT hikers coming off the trail who haven't seen a shower in a week-- Oh! The smell-- it's so sour! Just thinking about so many hikers hunkered down in one small cabin has me gasping for more air. 

So, Deb who chose to walk and live in the woods for a month pushed through what so many people would never do. Most folks would never choose to hike 10 miles for 24 days all while sleeping in a tent in the woods with rain, hail, bugs, bears, spiders, steep mountains and using the bathroom behind a tree. I’m one of those! I think after Day 7 I’d even say, “Okay. I’m good! Where’s the shower?” 

This shows no matter our experience or age, there's always room to push our limits and grow.

Cheers to Deb and Karen! Congratulations! You did it!

Thank you for letting me jump into your big moment of finishing and for sharing your inspiring story. I’m amazed at how intentional you were in setting your goals to push yourselves further, and how you prepared yourselves to do it.  Way to go!

Now, what's the next big adventure?

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I sat across the table amazed at these two. "What do I want to challenge myself in? I wanna work towards my own big adventure!" I know you're feeling the inspiration from these ladies, too. Share Deb and Karen's story with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. And, leave a comment below to let them know your thoughts and cheer them on:)