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Free The McGees
США
Добавлен 22 апр 2020
The Great American Road Trip has made a comeback, but with a twist. We'll show you how to travel the United States and take in the National Parks and State Parks while making travel more affordable. With our minimalistic approach to van camping, we'll show you how to do more in less time and we'll share a few hacks along the way.
Today's traveler is more cost conscious than ever. Long gone are the days of staying in sleezy roadside motels or paying through the nose for some fancy hotel you only sleep in. Their solution is the return to car camping. Some do it with a tent, some a truck, and some a hammock. We started out in our 2005 Dodge Durango and recently upgraded to a 2008 Ford Econoline Van.
Like many in our generation, we started late and we're trying to make up for lost time. But, like most everyone else, we work full-time.
What we've discovered is you can travel with health problems, hold down a job, live and travel simply and live your best life ever.
Today's traveler is more cost conscious than ever. Long gone are the days of staying in sleezy roadside motels or paying through the nose for some fancy hotel you only sleep in. Their solution is the return to car camping. Some do it with a tent, some a truck, and some a hammock. We started out in our 2005 Dodge Durango and recently upgraded to a 2008 Ford Econoline Van.
Like many in our generation, we started late and we're trying to make up for lost time. But, like most everyone else, we work full-time.
What we've discovered is you can travel with health problems, hold down a job, live and travel simply and live your best life ever.
Places to Camp & Hike | South Carolina | Table Rock State Park
Welcome to Table Rock State Park, South Carolina’s natural masterpiece! Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this park offers breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails for adventurers of all levels.
In this video we’ll show you some beautiful views of the park from the easier hiking trails as well as show you a typical campsite inside the park.
Table Rock State Park
158 Ellison Lane, Pickens,
South Carolina.
(864) 878-9813
GPS coordinates 35.0147° N, 82.6928° W
Timestamps
00:00-00:47 Campsite 78
00:48-06:53 Carrick Creek & Lakeside Trails
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ABOUT OUR CHANNEL
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We are a couple of part-time van ...
In this video we’ll show you some beautiful views of the park from the easier hiking trails as well as show you a typical campsite inside the park.
Table Rock State Park
158 Ellison Lane, Pickens,
South Carolina.
(864) 878-9813
GPS coordinates 35.0147° N, 82.6928° W
Timestamps
00:00-00:47 Campsite 78
00:48-06:53 Carrick Creek & Lakeside Trails
________________________________________
ABOUT OUR CHANNEL
________________________________________
We are a couple of part-time van ...
Просмотров: 26
Видео
Cheap & Easy Camp Meal Ideas | Beef tips, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and rice
Просмотров 3521 день назад
This is a simple, but tasty camp meal idea. It can be cooked over electric, fire, or gas. Versatile enough to be made for meat eaters and herbivores alike! We're in a state park and have access to electricity, so when in Rome we use our portable burners. amzn.to/4ihTscj They are convenient and unlike out cast-iron double burner amzn.to/3ZdfGDS they cool down so quickly. This makes late arrival ...
It's Been a Rough Week: If you travel with your dog watch this video and read the description below!
Просмотров 582 месяца назад
Please learn the signs and symptoms of bloat in dogs. Especially if you have a large breed or barrel-chested dog like our Dobbie girl, Boxers, Great Danes, and the Shephard breeds. However, bloat can affect any dog breed and is a life-threatening condition that is fatal in as little as 1-2 hours if not treated. You have to act quickly. The most common signs of bloat are retching (vomiting witho...
We made it home What's Next
Просмотров 113 месяца назад
After leaving Alabama and cutting our trip short, we've made it back home safe and sound. So what's next for us? Well that depends on the amount of catastrophic damage Helene does to the panhandle.
Our next campsite is in the path of Hurricane Helene!
Просмотров 843 месяца назад
You've got to be flexible during Hurricane Season.
Hiking the trails of Stone Mountain | Places to Camp & Hike | North Carolina
Просмотров 539 месяцев назад
Stone Mountain State Park is located in Alleghany and Wilkes counties, approximately 60 miles northwest of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This park boasts a 600-foot granite dome, which has been designated as a National Natural Landmark. Additionally, you’ll find the historic Hutchinson Homestead, a beautifully restored mid-19th-century farm situated at the base of the mountain. We skipped the ...
They started biting all at once - What a Fish Tale!
Просмотров 589 месяцев назад
The secret? We think it's our bait. When saltwater fishing we use a combination of shrimp and Fishbites. It's a concoction that has worked consistently for several years. (Bait & Equipment links below) Our reels are Okuma Avenger Series reels and as you can see, they take quite a beating. Our rods are Quantum Blue Runner medium action rods from the big box store in our neighborhood. We have to ...
Northrup Falls - a little bit of paradise!
Просмотров 3910 месяцев назад
Northrup Falls drops over 60 feet into a deep pool that is perfect for swimming and it's just.a short hike through the Colditz Cove Natural Area. This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Tennessee and the trail to the falls passes through rock walls and lush vegetation that make you feel like you are in a rainforest. There were very few people on the trail and for most of the morning w...
He blamed it on his pants! | Bouldering & Slots at OBED Wild & Scenic River
Просмотров 10810 месяцев назад
What an AWESOME place to explore! We’re a little to old for bouldering, but John did some anyway! And the little slot canyon was a blast! The trail is right off the Lilly Bluff Overlook parking area. Boulder Trail 36.1028750755649, -84.72123333135818 Timestamps 00:00 - 01:27 Hermit Cave? 01:27 - 04:16 Slots 04:16 - 05:07 Boulder Field 05:07 - 06:48 John Tries Bouldering! ABOUT OUR CHANNEL We ar...
We Got to Meet SPARTAN! | Obed Wild & Scenic River | Lilly Bluff & Potters Falls
Просмотров 5411 месяцев назад
The Obed River System is a rare example of a wild and free-flowing river in the Eastern United States. It has been protected as the Obed Wild and Scenic River since October 1976, when it became part of the National Park System. The river offers scenic views, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities for visitors such as hiking, bouldering, white water rafting and fishing and hunting. Loc...
A Peaceful Day Walking in the Woods
Просмотров 3411 месяцев назад
A simple walk in the woods reminds us to practice mindfulness, laugh, and enjoy the present moment with a thankful heart and much gratitude. This was the first stop on a two-week road trip through the southeast states of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. So be sure to come back and see where we went next! High Falls State Park Address: 76 High Falls Park Dr, Jackson, GA, 3...
Places to Camp in Georgia | High Falls | Waterfalls | Ruins
Просмотров 70Год назад
In this video we'll show you the largest waterfall south of Atlanta in Georgia and take you for a hike along the river's edge. We'll show you the ruins of an old power plant and goof off a little like we always do. This was the first stop on a two-week road trip through the southeast states of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. So be sure to come back and see where we went ...
Florida Springs | Juniper Springs | Swimming & Hiking
Просмотров 69Год назад
Spend the day with us at Juniper Springs. Situated in the Ocala National Forest the Juniper Springs Wilderness Area is a great place to visit if you love spending time in the Florida outdoors. Timestamps 00:00 - 01:13 Camp Breakfast 01:13 - 03:00 Florida Scenic Trail (section hike) 03:00 - 05:25 Swim Juniper Springs 05:25 - 07:04 - Camp Cook 07:04 - 07:25 - Night Crawler 07:25 - 08:08 Breakfast...
Places to Camp in Florida | Juniper Springs | Park Overview | Bear tracks | Camp Cook
Просмотров 52Год назад
The most beautiful spring we've visited so far! Juniper Springs and the surrounding Juniper Springs Wilderness Area are great places to visit if you love nature and adventure. You can swim in the crystal-clear spring water, hike along the scenic trails, or camp under the stars and maybe even spot a few bear prints in the sand. There are also canoe and kayak rentals available, so you can explore...
Wild Florida Cracker Horses | Endangered | Paynes Prairie | Places to Hike & Camp | Florida
Просмотров 612Год назад
Wild Florida Cracker Horses | Endangered | Paynes Prairie | Places to Hike & Camp | Florida
Morning Hike | Endangered Whooping Crane | Paynes Prairie | Places to Hike & Camp | Florida
Просмотров 86Год назад
Morning Hike | Endangered Whooping Crane | Paynes Prairie | Places to Hike & Camp | Florida
DIY | Firestarters | Vanlife Survival Gear | Be Prepared for the Unknown
Просмотров 534Год назад
DIY | Firestarters | Vanlife Survival Gear | Be Prepared for the Unknown
Barely a Bison Spotting | Paynes Prairie - About the Park | Places to Camp | Florida
Просмотров 37Год назад
Barely a Bison Spotting | Paynes Prairie - About the Park | Places to Camp | Florida
Wekiwa Springs | Hiking & History | Places to Camp | Florida
Просмотров 214Год назад
Wekiwa Springs | Hiking & History | Places to Camp | Florida
Wekiwa Springs | Water Activities & Campground | Places to Camp | Florida
Просмотров 214Год назад
Wekiwa Springs | Water Activities & Campground | Places to Camp | Florida
Whitewater Rapids at Big Shoals | Florida State Parks
Просмотров 88Год назад
Whitewater Rapids at Big Shoals | Florida State Parks
A Beautiful Hike through Providence Canyon | East Coast Hikes
Просмотров 51Год назад
A Beautiful Hike through Providence Canyon | East Coast Hikes
Beautiful Waterfalls | Van Camping & Hiking | Desoto State Park, Alabama
Просмотров 72Год назад
Beautiful Waterfalls | Van Camping & Hiking | Desoto State Park, Alabama
Easiest Non-ADA Cave Tours | Mammoth Cave National Park
Просмотров 130Год назад
Easiest Non-ADA Cave Tours | Mammoth Cave National Park
Van Life Tips | Portable Toilet Gels, Pellets, Pads & Litter Test | Van Life
Просмотров 33 тыс.Год назад
Van Life Tips | Portable Toilet Gels, Pellets, Pads & Litter Test | Van Life
Camper Van Table | Adjustable | Lagun Style Mount
Просмотров 332Год назад
Camper Van Table | Adjustable | Lagun Style Mount
Simple Improvements to the Camper Van | Van Life | Camper Van Builds
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.Год назад
Simple Improvements to the Camper Van | Van Life | Camper Van Builds
Standing Stone State Park | Tennessee |
Просмотров 1992 года назад
Standing Stone State Park | Tennessee |
Van Life Camping Tips | Portable Toilets | Things to Consider
Просмотров 15 тыс.2 года назад
Van Life Camping Tips | Portable Toilets | Things to Consider
FREE! 3 Days 14 Easy Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains NP
Просмотров 1812 года назад
FREE! 3 Days 14 Easy Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains NP
Your dedication and hard work are so evident in every video. You’re an inspiration!
No history here.
My personal preference would be to get rid of the music. 🤷♂️
We want to thank our girls for leading us to this beautiful place!
I don’t believe that that was a very fair test. you used an ounce of dry stuff and half a gallon a liquid. thats not a real world test and I think that this whole video you did was totally biased towards the lasyl stuff because you’re an Amazon affiliate for that product. Nobody pees half a gallon at one time and that’s not actually how regular people use the dry material that you used when they are out camping or enjoying the outdoors. I know I can’t be the only one that saw how ridiculous and biased this test was.
Cassette toilet , cheapest way overall.
I just use 4 gallon trash bags with the pull tie. And horse bedding pine pellets from Tractor Supply. Been using this system for 7 years. The pellets soak up the liquids and cover the solids. No leaks because there is no liquid because the pellets soak it up. Works great in my van. Just tie it up, and toss in the garbage.
10 cent a bag at the grocery store. It used to be free.
I use pine pellets for our cats. Once used they turn to saw dust. I set the saw dust in old pillow cases out in the sun to air out. Then we use it in the bag for #2 and it works great. We use a separator and pour the urine out separately.
What came of the poo odor nuetralizer tests?
Brilliant
Vinegar + water with a few drops of essential oil is best for odor control and the cheapest solution. I found adding coffee grounds to the pine pellets is the best for controlling smells to cover #2 (and the timing usually works out :) Biggest cost savings and amount of waste sent to land fill would be from simply using a urine diverter and not solidifying your urine. It's beneficial to dispose of urine on plants if you are in nature and easy to dispose urine in public toilets if you use smaller vessels for collection and you use a good amount of vinegar to remove the odor.
The five gallon bucket is top heavy, as you mentioned, and the height make storage more challenging. I found a shorter bucket with the same opening at the top, so the snap on toilet seat fits perfectly. I picked up the short bucket from an oil recycling center a number of years ago.
Great video. I have used the pine pellets with urine in a plastic bottle and even after a week in the hot desert, only a pine smell emitted from the container. I have not experimented fecal material, but I have heard countless times not to mix the two (fecal and urine) if you wish to control odors.
Did you report the sighting on eBird? It would help the scientists track it.
I reported it to U.S. Fish & Wildlife and to the WCCA, although I never heard back from either so I'm hoping I did it correctly. Is ebird where I should report sightings if I should be lucky enough to see another in my lifetime?
Thank you for such really good tips!
Wow, great video, sold
Thanks for the information. I personally rather use the pine pelets, you just have to use more. They can be used on the lawn afterwards as compost for non edible plants...
how is the lycel disposed of
You can throw it in the trash just as you would any diaper, dog waste bag, puppy pee pad, or adult incontinence product. The product is degradable.
Two things: 1. I believe the pee-pads did as well as they did because they are filled with a product similar to the Li-syl (at least my dog's are). 2. You tested water, not urine, so might the chemical reaction for both pellets and litter be different with urine versus water? Still, I appreciate that you did some testing for us. Thanks😊
Because we use the lysal on a regular basis I can attest to the reaction with urine being consistent with the reaction with water. We use the pine pellets in the bottom of our animal cages and there seems to be no different of a reaction with animal waste either. And I agree, my assumption was the same as yours as to why the puppy pads performed so well. I know the test is not perfectly scientific, but I did the best with what I had to work with. 😉❤️
.@@freethemcgees Thanks for the input
thank you for the video .... just to clarify, the lasyl DOES work to contain /dehydrate / solidify poop? I use the pine pellets for cat litter do I already had those on hand and yes those trap oder well and dehydrate poop for a faster compost and breakdown of bacterial
IMHO the lasyl does NOT do an adequate job controlling poop odor at all. It's awesome for urine, and extremely compact, but pine pellets are the best for odor when it comes to 💩. We'd hoped to find a more compact and lightweight solution, but nothing does the job any better so far.
@@freethemcgees thank you very much! I too was looking for a more space saving option. I guess I will stick with the pine. Appreciate it. Happy travels
I fill my potty with the skulls of my vanquished enemies! (and kitty litter)
Oh My! That's hilarious! This has got to be the funniest comment I've read so far!🤣🤣🤣
Wow that is so cool!!!! Thank you for posting, I didn't know about that product. ❤❤❤❤
You're welcome! It has performed great for us. We hope you have the same success!
Thanks, very informative analysis. Just got a standard minivan and will have many things to buy over time to do self sufficient trips. Lasyl could be a game changer for its weight, space. Eager to watch your video on bags next.
A minivan! That's fantastic! Minimal is the way to go. We've learned just how much stuff we don't need by traveling light. We hope you have some great adventures!
So beautiful
Why would you want to solidify urine? When you solidify it you need to throw it out. That just adds to waste in a landfill. Why not just collect your urine in a container and dump it in the weeds? And just use pine pellets for #2. With cat litter the end product is too heavy compared to the pine pellets.
Good question, as I know a lot of people do this. Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile and poses a public health safety risk. Urine contains any of over 100 identified bacteria; these bacteria can cause disease outbreaks and effect biodiversity. Biodiversity: Urine should be diluted with water at a rate of 1:5 to 1:8 to reduce the risk of damage to vegetation and when this is not reasonable one should do their business on rocks or gravel. Public Safety: Due to the contamination risk in high use areas enough concern has been generated that the NPS and BLM have issued statements concerning the proper disposal of ALL human waste products and not only encourage, but at times (in sensitive areas) require that all waste including urine and paper be a part of your leave no trace practices. I hope this answers your question. And YES! Strongly agree with you that pellets are superior to Kitty litter!
Girl, the music has gotta go.
Aww. I was enjoying the spooky vibe of the impending zombie apocalypse! LOL!
Put ur bucket in a small square crate. Bungie up and secure crate. Simple
This is a clear example of minimalism and utilitarianism in design. The aesthetic aspect is not emphasized, but the functionality is prioritized over the appearance. This is a reasonable choice for some as function is the primary concern - form is more about personal appeal and therefore highly subjective. 👍💯!
Absolutely wonderful and cool video! How much lasyl do you use? Also, what bags do you use for toilet? (Sorry if I missed in video)
We use 1 capful at a time and that usually does the trick for the entire day plus. We have a video on how I make the bags we use here: ruclips.net/video/K2pyyADRERc/видео.html
What a beautiful and enchanting trail my friend! Place looks so exotic 🥾🥾
Much gratitude! There's beauty in the most unexpected places in all of nature.
Your videos are so so sooo helpful! Thank you. Love it.
Thank you! We're glad you found some of the information useful!
Good information! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching and the kind comment!
Is this a place I could camp for free with a small pull behind camper
No. This is a paid campground and since making the video they have started a reservation system here as well, but you can reserve same day. You could easily get in a pull behind. We've seen full sized Class A campers in this campground.
We are testing a mixture of the pine pellets and gel combined to make a single product that also controls odor from #2. So far we are not impressed with the results but will continue to test with varying measurements. The next test will be to use the two products independently. Using the Lasyl as the base for solidifying urine and urine odor control and then sprinkling the pellets that have been converted into sawdust over #2 when required. We'll keep you posted. 🚐🚽Edit: This test is designed for those of you who do not want to deal with a urine diverter and prefer a one bag method.
What good was the smell test with just water??
You're right! Absolutely no value other than to see if we liked the smell before the product becomes contaminated! Great point! LOL!
Thx!
Hey, have you ever tried sawdust? I heard many times that it adsobs very good and it ist of course very cheap. Sorry my english, thank you fpr your vid! Greetings from far away Germany/Cologne-Bonn
Hello to Germany! We are currently testing a formula where we turn the pellets into sawdust (the pellets are a compressed form of sawdust) and mix it with the urine absorbing powder for added moisture absorption. We also threw in a bit of lemon scent using a carpet freshening product scented with essential oil because we really liked the lemon scent of the expensive Eco Gel we used to use. We're allowing the "used" product to sit in the sun in a closed container to see how well it does with odor control long-term. If the test is successful, we'll post a video with the results.
Pellets! easy and cheap
Yes they are! A little on the heavy and bulky side but definitely the cheapest option.
A little dab will do you dont need alot@@freethemcgees
Wallpaper paste granules?
That's a new one for us! Have you tried it? If so, how well did it work?
This is the best option I have found to date! Tried many different ones and yours is the best! Thank you! Thank you!
Great to hear! Thank you for the positive feedback! 😁❤️
Thank you for doing this. I'd love to see what the pine pellets do with more of them. Also what a mix of pine pellets and Lysel does.
We recently made a mixture of the pine pellets (after we turned them to saw dust, as recommended by a viewer) with the Lysol and a little carpet freshener (strictly for the pleasant odor). We're testing them for absorbance and odor control for those who don't want the hassle of dealing with a urine separator. We'll post the results after testing it a few times.
@@freethemcgees thank you
In use them in my class b rv rather than water going in the black tank. Two scoops last 24 hours with no odor or leaks, and the texture is like damp sand. I line the toilet bowl with a good quality trash bag. But, for space, I may try the Lasyal.
Nice thank you
Thank you very much, it was quite enjoyable, watching and learning your methods. Looking forward for More.
Possums come visit my house all the time… I have a scrap food spot and they love my leftovers…
My boi was asleep and yall woke him up.
OF MY OWN TESTING ***FOR SMELL ONLY***...1 CUP OF PINE PELLETS NEUTRALIZES 1 GALLON OF URINE... LOTS OF GREAT INFO...THANKS FOR SHARING!!
Absolutely magnificent! Magical.
Yes! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.😅❤ God bless.
Too long for such a simple subject.
Hmmm, I'm wondering if you happen to have unfortunately picked up a bad bag of pellets because we've been using them for a couple of years and they not only absorb quickly but a lot! However, that was quite a lot of water, imo, and I think it would have been more fair to use the amount that most people put out each time they do "number 1". Our "Luggable Loo" gets used many times/day and the pellets always absorb and expand. Sometimes we have sprinkled a few more in but again, they continued to expand with every use and I also noticed that when you went back and gave each container a shake, that the pellets looks almost completely dissolved which is something I have NEVER seen them do and why I wonder if you may have just gotten a bad bag. Normally, they would have been totally expanded. We had also initially tried the kitty litter and you're right, it failed.
Thanks for your thoughts, and sorry for the long response. I hope to explain why the test was performed in the way it was. I hear what you are saying, it did seem to be an unfair test due to the amount of water, but to use less water just so the pellets would perform better, would not have been a controlled experiment. The reason I say this, is that the puppy pee pads (equal weight) and the powder (half the weight) had no problem absorbing that amount of water, whereas the kitty litter and the pellets (with equal weight to the puppy pads and double the weight of the powder) could not. The point of the experiment was to find out which product was the most absorbent overall by weight - as to figure out the other factors, (cost per ounce needed & end volume of solid waste produced) and I thought the results were pretty conclusive. As for the amount of water I used, I explained that it was equivalent to the amount of urine produced by a single person in a day. So yes, pellets would work, but you would have to keep adding them, as you said, meaning the weight of the material needed to absorb the same amount of liquid would have far exceeded the puppy pads and powder. This would result in much more product having to be used, and a larger volume of material to be discarded by the end of the day. Since I had to decrease the amount of powder product by half to perform the test in a half gallon jar also demonstrates that its absorbency rate is superior - even to the puppy pads. That said, the pellets win the smell test hands down and for covering the odor of #2 - nothing we have tried comes close! I even use them in the bottom of my Iguana enclosures at our home, given iguanas have a very low liquid discharge, the pine pellets last quite a long time and their habitats do not smell like a zoo. We also use them (or cedar shavings) to help mask the smell of #2 in the portable toilet in our van, by sprinkling them over the top. As suggested, by a viewer, this works best if you turn the pellets into a powder first. And also, they are cheap, albeit bulky. So, I agree they serve a purpose and definitely have their place in the portable toilet world - lot's of people use them - it's just not the most practical or compact go to for urine. All of that said, for urine, which is the bulk of our solid waste (we attempt to only #2 in an emergency as there are usually bathrooms at trailheads, stores, gas stations, parks, restaurants, etc., this helps us keep odor control issues in the van to a minimum) we have yet to find a product that performs as well as the powder. I hope this brought a little clarity that may not have been explained sufficiently in the video. Happy Travels!
@@freethemcgees Got it, thanks!
😎 Are these one time use bags with #2 and #1 in it or how many uses would you say of both #1 and #2 does your system give you before you change out the bag? Thanks! ✌️
How long you can use them is a personal preference, depending on how many people are using the system and if you take extra measures for odor control when #2 is involved. Personally we use them for 2-3 days before changing the bag and try to limit using them for solid waste when possible. When #2 is involved, we usually change the bag ASAP as a courtesy to the other sharing the space. Hope this helps.
@@freethemcgees Yes that helps quite well. So what is your containment solution if you are out boondocking for a week and cannot dispose of the bags. Let's say you don't have any other bathroom situation and you go #2 each day, which gives you several bags to contain onboard your van. How do you handle this?
The situation dictates. If we're not near a disposal receptacle, we use cedar shavings and use the bag more than once for #2 if necessary. But usually we just put the used bags by the back tire outside the van until we move on. It's not a perfect solution, that would be a class A, B, or C with holding tanks and chemicals and deodorizers, but we're not ready to make that investment yet!. Maybe when we're older and full-time. Lol!