By Tom Mulliez
Last month, I talked about an amazing trip I had with my daughters that changed their life the iTrekkers way and created memories they will talk about for a long time into the future.
It got me thinking. As the weather is starting to cool, why don’t we get more people to camp out on the spoiler islands up and down the coast, from Cedar Key to the Everglades? It just makes sense! In Florida, we may not have the mountain ranges to the north of us, but we still have amazing beauty at our fingertips. The Intracoastal is full of small to medium sized islands that we are allowed to camp on. Yes, the heat can be a factor in the summer, but we don’t have to deal with snow, allowing us the opportunity to sleep under the stars when others can’t. So let’s take advantage of this, get unplugged from our day-to-day lives and get outdoors!
So how would you go about doing this? The first step is to plan the weekend by outfitting your boat or kayak with all your camping essentials. Tent, sleeping bags, mess kits, food, drinks, small portable stove, maybe a hammock or two and lots of water. I recommend getting a waterproof bag that can fit the bulk of your “must-be-dry” gear. This way you ensure that you will sleep dry.
Another thing we recommend is layers of clothing. It may be warm during the day, but as the sun goes down, adding thin layers will keep you comfortable. Firewood can also be a problem on these islands. Smaller wood usually exists to get a fire started, but larger wood could be an issue. So bring some wood along. And yes, there might be mosquitos, but are you really going to care that much when staring at the stars next to your warm fire, drink in hand? I think not.
And don’t forget your fishing gear! A lot of these islands are home to great oyster beds and drop offs, perfect for trout, snook and reds to be hanging out on. A cast net can help you get live bait, as it should be plentiful in the shallows.
The time has come for us to think about outdoor adventure in a different light. Let’s take it up a notch, get of our comfort zones and go do things we usually don’t do. As you know by now, iTrekkers is all about “unleashing the outdoors,” and we will do everything in our power to get more people to experience the amazingness of the outdoors. If you think this is too much work for you and your family to achieve, or if you think this is an amazing idea but don’t have the gear to embark on this type of adventure, fear not. iTrekkers.com offers camping and will soon offer these types of experiences all over the state of Florida. You book online and show up. We do the rest. We bring the gear, we set up the sites, we teach you about the nature around you and even cook for you if you would like. Our outdoor guides are ready to help make your adventure come true.
Tom Mulliez is the founder of iTrekkers.com. Their mission is to “Unleash the Outdoors” to aspiring explorers everywhere. Reserve some of the best guides in Florida for your next adventure, backed by a 100-percent money-back satisfaction guarantee.
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