Episode 116: Get out there and Hike the Florida Trail

In this episode of the podcast we talk about one of the best kept secrets in the nationwide system of hiking trails – the Florida Trail, a 1,300 mile trail that runs across the state and is very accessible to RVers.

Plus news about a rowdy bull moose in Montana, self-driving RVs and an update on the devastating fires around the Great Smoky Mountains National park.

Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast.

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Complete Show Notes for Episode #116 Dec. 1, 2016 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:

JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK

In small RV’s, storage is always at a premium. Where do we keep all the things we need?

Listen up.. here’s one idea:

Peggy Bechtel suggests using a shoe bag attached by a tension rod for extra storage for pockets to store small items. [spp-timestamp time=”6:05″]

You can find these shoe bags at WalMart, on Amazon or, as Peggy suggested, at Camping World stores. Another great idea we all can use!

 

And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.

If I use your tip in the podcast, we’ll send you a free Roadtreking hat!

I love hearing from you!

Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes.

LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:

• A listener asks about RV shows and which ones we think are the best. [spp-timestamp time=”11:29″]
• A listener asks about winterizing his RV and whether be should run antifreeze through his water heater or bypass it [spp-timestamp time=”17:24″]
• A listener offers a suggestion about using an extra solar panel when its cloudy out or the RV is parked under trees. [spp-timestamp time=”19:23″]

Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations.

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

The Florida Trail (FNST) is a congressionally designated National Scenic Trail.  It is approximately 1,300-miles long, and is intended to offer a continuous, permanent non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities.  Over its length, it showcases the incredible biodiversity, history, and rich culture of Florida.

The Florida Trail begins on the edge of the everglades ecosystem in Big Cypress National Preserve.  It’s end point lies in the white sands of Gulf Islands National Seashoreat historic Fort Pickens. The Florida Trail is one of the United States 11 National Scenic Trails, and offers an experience that is unique to Florida. No other trail in the world compares to the Florida Trail.

In this week’s episode, Mike interviews Alex Stigliano, the trail program director, who tells the Roatreking audience about how hiking this trail can enhance your RV experience the next time you visit Florida. [spp-timestamp time=”22:52″]

A great guide and app for hiking the trail can be found at floridahikes.com

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK:

We have four stories for you this week: [spp-timestamp time=”38:56″]

Devastating fires hit Great Smoky Mountains National Park area

Erwin Hymer Group NA announces pilot program for autonomous RVs

RVIA Show in Louisville highlights booming industry nearing 40 year high

Bull Moose Rattles Montana Camper

This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde  the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV

TRAVELING TECH TIP:

Verizon's Steve Van Dinter reports on traveling tech gifts for RVers [spp-timestamp time=”48:54″]

Road warriors and travel junkies alike know you can’t have a successful trip without involving tech! And this year there are more gadgets than ever to make sure your trip is a smooth one…and you stay at least a little connected to home!

First up…Google’s Pixel phone. With this phone you’ll want to take plenty of pictures and you can store unlimited numbers of them thanks to its unlimited cloud storage. Plus, find out where the locals go to eat by simply asking the Google Assistant. It comes in two sizes as well – so it’s perfect whether you prefer large screens or smaller ones.

Next we have the Ellipsis 8 HD tablet. With an 8 inch screen it easily fits into carry on luggage or your lap. It also has front facing speakers, a low light camera and a full HD display. I’m guessing this quickly becomes one of your favorite travel companions.

Finally, we all know there’s no place like home so wouldn’t it be great if you could check in and see how things are going back there while you’re away? With the Nest Cam, you can! Simply set this camera in the room you’d like to monitor and now no matter where you are you can check in with your phone or a tablet and see a live HD stream. Plus let Nest Cam lets you hear audio and even speak back to your home as well – because sometimes even the most independent of cats likes to know someone is still watching!

You can find all of these ideas and more at any Verizon store or at VerizonWireless.com.

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon, which operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT –  Palm Brooks State Park and Kitch-iti-kipi springs

Mike shares one of his and Jennifer’s favorite stops in the Upper Peninsula and one of Michigan’s most alluring natural attractions — Kitch-iti-kipi — The Big Spring. [spp-timestamp time=”52:03″]

There is no camping here but it’s a must see any time you are in the area, no matter how many times you have seen it. Two hundred feet across, the 40-foot deep Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. Over 10,000 gallons a minute gush from fissures in the underlying limestone.

The flow continues throughout the year at a constant 45 degree Fahrenheit.

There’s a self-piloting raft that takes you slowly across the spring, allowing you to look down in the crystal clear water. Huge lake trout circled below us as the bubbling spring created ever-changing shapes and forms.

Palms Book State Park is open year round so visitors can see the spring any time of the year. Snowmobile and cross country trails are nearby so winter visitors on skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles will find Kitch-it-kippi about 300 yards down the Park's unplowed road where you will find a most memorable sight – Kitch-iti-kippi bubbling away in the middle of winter. No wonder the Indians thought the spring was magical. Michigan State Park Vehicle Permit needed for admission.

http://www.michigan.org/property/palms-brook-state-park/

RV CALENDAR

Here's what's coming up this month: [spp-timestamp time=”54:56″]

Fall Clean Sweep RV Show

December 2-4
CenturyLink Sports Complex
Ft. Myers, FL

Palm Springs Area RV Show & Sale
December 8-11
Riverside County Fair Grounds
Indio, CA

For a complete list of RV shows this weekend and for the rest of the year, click here.

Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review!

Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave me your review.

Here’s how:

First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top
> From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast.
> Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page
> From there (see photo above), you can…

1) Subscribe

2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much.

3) Leave a written review.

Thanks to all for the kind reviews we’ve received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review!

And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

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