In this episode I'm car camping back at Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida to hike 9ne of my favorite trails and search for wild bears to photograph (and any other wildlife I encounter). I'm also feeling festive & decorate my Dodge Grand Caravan micro camper for Christmas and have my own solo celebration in the woods. I hope you enjoy ciming along with me to take in some healing nature and holiday cheer. I hope everyone that celebrates has a wonderful holiday, whatever form that takes for you, and much love and gratitude to everyone else watching as well. ❤️💚 ==== Solo Car camping at Blue Spring State Park during the firefly event ruclips.net/video/4VSetKkT4B4/видео.htmlsi=8ZXyUt6a1gjfjyur Winter at Blue Spring State Park with over 700 manatees! ruclips.net/video/LZaha2ZJvGM/видео.htmlsi=cboMPEhirlqF19cW ===== **As an Amazon Associate, I do earn a small commission for any qualifying purchases made using the links below, but this is at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend the items I personally use and love. Using these links is a great way to support my channel and ensure that I can continue to deliver quality future content, so thank you in advance for your support - I truly appreciate it! Product Links for Indoor & Outdoor Setup/Items Used: hair removal tool: amzn.to/44BH9S0 salt lamp string lights: amzn.to/3yaK0VT new usb rechargeable lamp: amzn.to/3UQnMRC pink and beige pillow: amzn.to/4ai42L7 Jackery 240 Power Station: amzn.to/3wIiHgX Jackery 1000 Power Station: amzn.to/3lzmMyP Bluetti EB70S Power Station (800W inverter with 716Wh): amzn.to/3nhu0ft Shower bag: amzn.to/39LSDtM cup holder phone stand for watching TV: amzn.to/3Kk6veY disposable female urinals (Travel Jane): amzn.to/3EGHebl urinal/reusable no spill bottle: amzn.to/3Z3lWMM portable DVD player: amzn.to/3lLyZ70 Luci Light inflatable solar lantern: amzn.to/3YXvJ6U set of mini cooking utensils: amzn.to/3IdBlTD Lunatec pressurized water bottle: amzn.to/3KBgXyX macrame fruit hammock/bag: amzn.to/3lOlwLT Koonie 8" blades rechargeable USB fan with clamp: amzn.to/3lHxBCl cup holder inverter: amzn.to/41bpluz bamboo breakfast tray: amzn.to/3GiXM8Q Hot Logic Mini: amzn.to/3YD1YbV Dash Mini Maker Electric Griddle: amzn.to/413y6qF low wattage (300W) BalBali electric kettle: amzn.to/3YD96EV Aeropress coffee maker: amzn.to/3lLFKG5 handheld battery powered milk frother: amzn.to/3kat7DV mesh window screens: amzn.to/3GiXSxe magnetic window curtains: amzn.to/3G8TqAW metal utility shelf: amzn.to/3wF2tXp trunk storage unit: amzn.to/3wBFNXY Insulated cooler bag: amzn.to/38FK6IG ergonomic gel memory foam seat cushion: amzn.to/3wBLNjg boot scraper: amzn.to/3z1eaJc side slot cup holders: amzn.to/3wC6IS0 hands free phone cup holder stand: amzn.to/3sTLHS1 hands free phone dash mount: amzn.to/3G8Uvsu USB LED light bulb: amzn.to/3yVudZc stained glass "rainbow" decals: - phases of the moon: amzn.to/3WBaxm9 - mandalas: amzn.to/3hJXlfF magic mesh screen doors: amzn.to/41OXq3x mosquito netting: amzn.to/44aPhrU 1.5" memory foam topper: amzn.to/3EfMQZS Luci solar string lights: amzn.to/46mPF6X Mosaic solar lantern: amzn.to/3LDJpjb large storage hamper: amzn.to/3OVtO0S storage bins with bamboo lids: amzn.to/3oCcfbC chargeable hang led color change light amzn.to/41a5IUm
Manatees floating in blue green water?! Awesome 🤩 Scrub jays are funny people! I knew a mated pair who visited my Oregon garden for _TWENTY_ years 💙 One day he was gone and shortly thereafter she ceded the territory to their son 💔 legacy
Lovely video, Heather. It looks so peaceful there. Although if there was a bear to go along with the tracks, I wouldn’t feel peaceful. Lol. That’s the beauty of visiting these places with you. I get to be comfy and cozy while you do the hiking, and I am safe from bears, snakes and gators. Loved your decorations. The van looks so cozy and festive. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I look forward to the adventures to come. ❤
Lol, so true, and happy to bring you along for the ride! Thanks for watching my videos this year, I appreciate your support!! And Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you as well!!
78 degrees, I am so jealous. I miss those nice warm temperatures. It's 46 right now, but will drop down to 29 later tonight. South Carolina isn't supposed to have such low temps. I immensely dislike it. Lol. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas day tomorrow.
Even Florida has had more cold nights in the low 40s than we typically do in December, so I'm worried we're all in for a much colder winter this year! 🥺🥺 But those mild temps sure are nice, so I can't complain! Sending you warm thoughts!! 💚
Glad to see you out and about feeling so much better! That clinic was a blessing. Merry Christmas! Oh BTW, when I went camping at Blue Spring last summer all the water sports were closed...in the summer heat...at a "spring". Yeah.
Yes, I felt so bad for everyone that visited this past year - especially ones that had booked so gar in advance! They've been working on their restoration project since March I think (once the Manatee season ended) and now I think the boardwalk and swimming area are supposed to reopen April 2025, unless it's been pushed back at all. 🥺 Thank you for watching, that program really was a life saver for me! Merry Christmas! ❤️
Thank you, I really appreciate that!! I'm really hoping to upgrade my editing this year to make the experience more smooth & enjoyable for you guys, instead of using only my phone for everything! 🤞🤞
🤣🤣 four months I keep hearing a tapping like somebody’s tapping the finger on the side of my van and I know it’s not the wood Peckers cause they used to bang on my mobile home😂 the bird in the beginning of your shot that made the funny, tapping sound like someone’s knocking on the door. That’s what I keep hearing! Keep looking out the window and there’s nobody there I like what’s going on for months now they must be a whole bunch of the park. I go to thank you for videotaping that cause that’s a creep was messing with me.😂😂 and hope you had a Merry Christmas🎄🙋🏼♀️🌴🚐💕 Your East Coast Neighbor 😊
You’re the person who would be the best hiking companion - from identifying poo to tracks to species, you are amazing! BTW, I loved your “actual footage”! Great pun!
This is great advice, thank you!! Believe it or not, I had a (matching pink) shower cap with me for that purpose, but I can't seem to remember to ever use it! Hopefully I can get my act together next time, b/c I know it would be a huge help! ❤️
OMG! You are what I want to be! I have been contemplating minivanlife for a while now. I am a disabled veteran woman in Florida and I have doubted my abilities. I have agoraphobia, but hey, if I could bring my home everywhere I go then maybe I could get my freedom and life back! Like a snail 😂 You are an inspiration. Merry Christmas.
Thank you so much!! I can see how it would be helpful to have your safe, cozy space anywhere you were in that situation! You can definitely start out small until you get more comfortable and know what your best system for you is, and just do short trips for starters to give yourself time to adjust, too 💕💕
I haven't been back there in a few years, but it's back on my bucket list b/c I've never camped there before, and really want to! I'm hoping to get back this year during their peak azalea bloom, b/c I've never timed my prior visits right for it! 🤞🤞 You are right though, it's such a beautiful spot!
Hey Heather, Merry Christmas! Not sure if you are still in the area I used to live about a 1 mile from Blue Springs and grew up there mostly in Deland! There is a huge manatee festival around the 3rd weekend in January. They have had records over past several years upwards of 400-600 manatees in the run! Some other places I the area you may like to check out would be … Deleon Springs state park, Lake Woodruff Wildlife refuge, Hontoon Island (you can take a ferry over the river) even have very rustic camping too! Gemini Springs, sooo many more to list! these are just some of my favs in a 3-8 mi radius of where BSSP is… oh~Merritt Island Wildlife refuse off US ! South Oak Hill. Enjoy, let me know if I can steer in other areas to check out. happy AdVANtures as well. I say this all the time!
Thank you so much! Unfortunately I'm not still in that area, but I do make it to that vicinity quite a bit throughout the year! I've actually visited the other places you mentioned too, but I'm so glad you commented in case anyone else is reading the comments before a trip to the area, b/c this is an excellent list!! (Gemini Springs is definitely a little hidden gem park! I havent been back there in a couple years though, so I'm definitely overdue for a return trip!) We really have some amazing parks to explore, don't we!? 💚💚💚 Thanks again for this comment, and for watching - happy advantures to you too! 💕
Blue springs is on my bucket list! Your set up is opposite then my plan and i may like your better then mine lol and your steering wheel cover is so cute did you make it yourself? I just found your channel today on Christmas! Im from the panhandle of florida!
Thank you so much, and welcome to the channel!! I found the steering wheel cover on Amazon - my recommendations know me very well apparently, b/c when it popped up I couldn't resist lol! I love experimenting with different setups too - I think that's one of the reasons I love no build layouts. It's so fun to mix things up and try different ones lol!
You will definitely love Blue Springs when you go! Its been kind of a weird year to visit the park, since they've been updating the boardwalk & reinforcing the retaining walls around the main spring, but it should be back to normal in a few months, so definitely recommend a visit!!
Great video! May I ask what you carry for protection? I walk alot too. I carry a yaught horn and oil based mace. Thinking about a baton stun gun. I dont want to hurt anything, but want protection. Never had any problems in decades but I adopted a rescue and I am alot more serious about keepng her safe too! Merry Christmas Heather.
The baton stun gun isn't a bad idea, especially if you have a dog you're wanting to protect as well! I usually carry a multi tool with a decent blade on it, and depending on where I'm hiking I also carry bear spray as well (although I probably should always have that on me for just in case if I'm being honest!). And in a pinch I can use my tripod as well!
I really appreciate your efforts! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). Could you explain how to move them to Binance?
In this episode I'm car camping back at Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida to hike 9ne of my favorite trails and search for wild bears to photograph (and any other wildlife I encounter). I'm also feeling festive & decorate my Dodge Grand Caravan micro camper for Christmas and have my own solo celebration in the woods. I hope you enjoy ciming along with me to take in some healing nature and holiday cheer. I hope everyone that celebrates has a wonderful holiday, whatever form that takes for you, and much love and gratitude to everyone else watching as well. ❤️💚
====
Solo Car camping at Blue Spring State Park during the firefly event
ruclips.net/video/4VSetKkT4B4/видео.htmlsi=8ZXyUt6a1gjfjyur
Winter at Blue Spring State Park with over 700 manatees!
ruclips.net/video/LZaha2ZJvGM/видео.htmlsi=cboMPEhirlqF19cW
=====
**As an Amazon Associate, I do earn a small commission for any qualifying purchases made using the links below, but this is at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend the items I personally use and love. Using these links is a great way to support my channel and ensure that I can continue to deliver quality future content, so thank you in advance for your support - I truly appreciate it!
Product Links for Indoor & Outdoor Setup/Items Used:
hair removal tool:
amzn.to/44BH9S0
salt lamp string lights:
amzn.to/3yaK0VT
new usb rechargeable lamp:
amzn.to/3UQnMRC
pink and beige pillow:
amzn.to/4ai42L7
Jackery 240 Power Station:
amzn.to/3wIiHgX
Jackery 1000 Power Station:
amzn.to/3lzmMyP
Bluetti EB70S Power Station
(800W inverter with 716Wh):
amzn.to/3nhu0ft
Shower bag:
amzn.to/39LSDtM
cup holder phone stand for watching TV:
amzn.to/3Kk6veY
disposable female urinals (Travel Jane):
amzn.to/3EGHebl
urinal/reusable no spill bottle:
amzn.to/3Z3lWMM
portable DVD player:
amzn.to/3lLyZ70
Luci Light inflatable solar lantern:
amzn.to/3YXvJ6U
set of mini cooking utensils:
amzn.to/3IdBlTD
Lunatec pressurized water bottle:
amzn.to/3KBgXyX
macrame fruit hammock/bag:
amzn.to/3lOlwLT
Koonie 8" blades rechargeable USB fan with clamp:
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cup holder inverter:
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bamboo breakfast tray:
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Hot Logic Mini:
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Dash Mini Maker Electric Griddle:
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low wattage (300W) BalBali electric kettle:
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Aeropress coffee maker:
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handheld battery powered milk frother:
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mesh window screens:
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magnetic window curtains:
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metal utility shelf:
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trunk storage unit:
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Insulated cooler bag:
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ergonomic gel memory foam seat cushion:
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boot scraper:
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side slot cup holders:
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- mandalas:
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magic mesh screen doors:
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mosquito netting:
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1.5" memory foam topper:
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Luci solar string lights:
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Mosaic solar lantern:
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large storage hamper:
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storage bins with bamboo lids:
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chargeable hang led color change light
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Manatees floating in blue green water?! Awesome 🤩 Scrub jays are funny people! I knew a mated pair who visited my Oregon garden for _TWENTY_ years 💙 One day he was gone and shortly thereafter she ceded the territory to their son 💔 legacy
👍👍👍
❤️💚
Looks beautiful, Happy Holidays and best wishes to you❤
Thank you, and happy holidays to you as well!
Greetings from London Great Britain 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Greetings, international friend!! Thanks for watching!
Lovely video, Heather. It looks so peaceful there. Although if there was a bear to go along with the tracks, I wouldn’t feel peaceful. Lol. That’s the beauty of visiting these places with you. I get to be comfy and cozy while you do the hiking, and I am safe from bears, snakes and gators. Loved your decorations. The van looks so cozy and festive. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I look forward to the adventures to come. ❤
Lol, so true, and happy to bring you along for the ride! Thanks for watching my videos this year, I appreciate your support!! And Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you as well!!
78 degrees, I am so jealous. I miss those nice warm temperatures. It's 46 right now, but will drop down to 29 later tonight. South Carolina isn't supposed to have such low temps. I immensely dislike it. Lol. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas day tomorrow.
Even Florida has had more cold nights in the low 40s than we typically do in December, so I'm worried we're all in for a much colder winter this year! 🥺🥺
But those mild temps sure are nice, so I can't complain! Sending you warm thoughts!! 💚
Glad to see you out and about feeling so much better! That clinic was a blessing. Merry Christmas!
Oh BTW, when I went camping at Blue Spring last summer all the water sports were closed...in the summer heat...at a "spring". Yeah.
Yes, I felt so bad for everyone that visited this past year - especially ones that had booked so gar in advance! They've been working on their restoration project since March I think (once the Manatee season ended) and now I think the boardwalk and swimming area are supposed to reopen April 2025, unless it's been pushed back at all. 🥺
Thank you for watching, that program really was a life saver for me! Merry Christmas! ❤️
So nicely put together, your content is always so atmospheric and simply enjoyable!
Thank you, I really appreciate that!! I'm really hoping to upgrade my editing this year to make the experience more smooth & enjoyable for you guys, instead of using only my phone for everything! 🤞🤞
🤣🤣 four months I keep hearing a tapping like somebody’s tapping the finger on the side of my van and I know it’s not the wood Peckers cause they used to bang on my mobile home😂 the bird in the beginning of your shot that made the funny, tapping sound like someone’s knocking on the door. That’s what I keep hearing! Keep looking out the window and there’s nobody there I like what’s going on for months now they must be a whole bunch of the park. I go to thank you for videotaping that cause that’s a creep was messing with me.😂😂 and hope you had a Merry Christmas🎄🙋🏼♀️🌴🚐💕 Your East Coast Neighbor 😊
Oh my goodness, too funny! I've been tricked by a few birds myself like that over the last few years from time to time lol!
You’re the person who would be the best hiking companion - from identifying poo to tracks to species, you are amazing! BTW, I loved your “actual footage”! Great pun!
Lol, thank you so much! My mom always teases me about getting excited to find poo on the trail haha!!
Cool
Thanks!!
Your van is SOOO cozy! Love the new decorations!
Thank you!! 💕
you should put your shoes in a shower cap to keep most of the dirt out of your car :) Merry Christmas :)
This is great advice, thank you!! Believe it or not, I had a (matching pink) shower cap with me for that purpose, but I can't seem to remember to ever use it! Hopefully I can get my act together next time, b/c I know it would be a huge help! ❤️
@@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures lol...maybe make a sticky note and put it on your shoes :)
Merry Christmas! Looks beautiful. Christmas
🎄 🎅 🌲
Thank you Jan!!
And Merry Christmas to you, too!!
OMG! You are what I want to be! I have been contemplating minivanlife for a while now. I am a disabled veteran woman in Florida and I have doubted my abilities. I have agoraphobia, but hey, if I could bring my home everywhere I go then maybe I could get my freedom and life back! Like a snail 😂 You are an inspiration. Merry Christmas.
Thank you so much!! I can see how it would be helpful to have your safe, cozy space anywhere you were in that situation! You can definitely start out small until you get more comfortable and know what your best system for you is, and just do short trips for starters to give yourself time to adjust, too 💕💕
Rainbow springs is amazing too 🎉
I haven't been back there in a few years, but it's back on my bucket list b/c I've never camped there before, and really want to! I'm hoping to get back this year during their peak azalea bloom, b/c I've never timed my prior visits right for it! 🤞🤞
You are right though, it's such a beautiful spot!
Nice Christmas decor 🎅 beautiful camp & Wildlife
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 🌟🎄🌟🎄
🙋♀️🇦🇺
Thank you so much!! ✨️🎄💚❤️
Thank you. This was great!
Thank you for watching!!
Merry Christmas to you. Stay blessed
Merry Christmas 🎄. Love your videos! Looking for bears and bobcats oh no! I’m a chicken😂. Enjoy!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! One of these days I'm gonna catch one in real time for you!! 🤞🤞
😊 Merry Christmas 🎄🥂💜✨️
Merry Christmas!!
Lol we have the same alarm music
Too funny!
Hi Heather I absolutely love your van and your decorations! so cute. can you share your bedding
Hey Heather, Merry Christmas! Not sure if you are still in the area I used to live about a 1 mile from Blue Springs and grew up there mostly in Deland! There is a huge manatee festival around the 3rd weekend in January. They have had records over past several years upwards of 400-600 manatees in the run! Some other places I the area you may like to check out would be … Deleon Springs state park, Lake Woodruff Wildlife refuge, Hontoon Island (you can take a ferry over the river) even have very rustic camping too! Gemini Springs, sooo many more to list! these are just some of my favs in a 3-8 mi radius of where BSSP is… oh~Merritt Island Wildlife refuse off US ! South Oak Hill. Enjoy, let me know if I can steer in other areas to check out. happy AdVANtures as well. I say this all the time!
Thank you so much! Unfortunately I'm not still in that area, but I do make it to that vicinity quite a bit throughout the year! I've actually visited the other places you mentioned too, but I'm so glad you commented in case anyone else is reading the comments before a trip to the area, b/c this is an excellent list!! (Gemini Springs is definitely a little hidden gem park! I havent been back there in a couple years though, so I'm definitely overdue for a return trip!) We really have some amazing parks to explore, don't we!? 💚💚💚
Thanks again for this comment, and for watching - happy advantures to you too! 💕
Blue springs is on my bucket list! Your set up is opposite then my plan and i may like your better then mine lol and your steering wheel cover is so cute did you make it yourself? I just found your channel today on Christmas! Im from the panhandle of florida!
Thank you so much, and welcome to the channel!! I found the steering wheel cover on Amazon - my recommendations know me very well apparently, b/c when it popped up I couldn't resist lol!
I love experimenting with different setups too - I think that's one of the reasons I love no build layouts. It's so fun to mix things up and try different ones lol!
You will definitely love Blue Springs when you go! Its been kind of a weird year to visit the park, since they've been updating the boardwalk & reinforcing the retaining walls around the main spring, but it should be back to normal in a few months, so definitely recommend a visit!!
Great video! May I ask what you carry for protection? I walk alot too. I carry a yaught horn and oil based mace. Thinking about a baton stun gun. I dont want to hurt anything, but want protection. Never had any problems in decades but I adopted a rescue and I am alot more serious about keepng her safe too! Merry Christmas Heather.
The baton stun gun isn't a bad idea, especially if you have a dog you're wanting to protect as well! I usually carry a multi tool with a decent blade on it, and depending on where I'm hiking I also carry bear spray as well (although I probably should always have that on me for just in case if I'm being honest!). And in a pinch I can use my tripod as well!
@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures Thank you!
I really appreciate your efforts! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). Could you explain how to move them to Binance?