In this episode, I am solo boondocking at Potts Preserve along the Withlacoochee River... for FREE, courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District, on our public lands. I'll give you a tour of my site, the river campground, show you the tent only section right along the river, and give my review and final impressions. In the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, while this was another beautiful and well kept campground, I just wasn't feeling it this time for some unknown reason. I examine this a little further at the end of the episode, but I must admit that for only the 2nd time since I've been car camping on my solo female vanlife journey did I debate packing up and leaving early! Did I??? I also start out the episode restocking on a few groceries with a mini Publix Haul. ==== My setup details **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: 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 collapsible tea kettle (700W): amzn.to/3XG5Rvd "C" table over bed: amzn.to/3Ki06AQ 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 string lights: amzn.to/3IxI3oW 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 USB mini fan with reading light: amzn.to/3EhsDCE bamboo breakfast tray: amzn.to/3GiXM8Q Hot Logic Mini: amzn.to/3YD1YbV glass Pyrex container: amzn.to/40MXfog 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 Alpicool C20 12V car fridge: amzn.to/3MHL9X1 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 LED flameless chargeable lantern: amzn.to/3lE8EVf 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 Outdoor rug: amzn.to/3yuV5Pv Folding camp table (aluminum): amzn.to/37GGGF2 Coleman Camp Chair: amzn.to/3L52sQg CLAM Quickset Traveler 6x6ft screen shelter: amzn.to/3G48ql8 privacy panels for screen shelter: amzn.to/3FALXus
That salad looked good, my new fav dressing is a chipolta ranch. I totally get not feelin it, Ive moved on many times when the spidey sense tingled.. It really sucks that they limit access to some of the sites but theres a lot of places you have to hike in, Paynes prairies tent sites are so close to the parking area but that doesnt really help when half or more of your "tent" is your vehicle.. I just ordered a queen size bed canopy that I think will drape my entire set up like a bug tent. Im thinking a few large magnets and it'll be an ez setup.. Unfortunately summer humidity has hit so unless I go to the mountains my overmights are on a hiatus
Chipotle ranch sounds tasty!! There was a Sriracha ranch I used to get all the time at the store, but they stopped carrying it, and I haven't been able to find another comparable one! And yes, there really wasn't a good reason I could pinpoint, but I definitely was antsy to pack up as soon as the sun came up and get moving!
I've been trying to eat better, but sometimes I still cave and make a backpacking meal or a cup of noodles here and there. I find I enjoy preparing good food more out in nature though so thats been a plus! 💚
Thanks, Heather; another great video. I camp mostly at FL State Parks for safety and electrical hookups. Will your Jackery 1000 cut off after 8-12 hours? I ask because I heard from another camper theirs does, but I wonder if it was a 1000 model. I have three Jackery 240s I bought a few years ago, and one no longer holds a charge. I had my Maxx Air Fan wired to run off a portable Jackery-type battery and am considering primitive camping at Goose Pasture (free) in Monticello, FL. It is part of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area (Suwannee River). But I will need to run my fans and fridge.
It really depends on what you need to use it for. Now that I'm only using Jackery 1000 for my fridge, it will probably last almost 4 days here in the Florida heat in summer. But when I was using it to cook and/or boil water for coffee as well, etc... I would need to think about charging up some after 24 hrs tops in the heat (maybe 2 days in winter)
In this episode, I am solo boondocking at Potts Preserve along the Withlacoochee River... for FREE, courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District, on our public lands. I'll give you a tour of my site, the river campground, show you the tent only section right along the river, and give my review and final impressions.
In the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, while this was another beautiful and well kept campground, I just wasn't feeling it this time for some unknown reason. I examine this a little further at the end of the episode, but I must admit that for only the 2nd time since I've been car camping on my solo female vanlife journey did I debate packing up and leaving early! Did I???
I also start out the episode restocking on a few groceries with a mini Publix Haul.
====
My setup details
**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:
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
collapsible tea kettle (700W):
amzn.to/3XG5Rvd
"C" table over bed:
amzn.to/3Ki06AQ
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
string lights:
amzn.to/3IxI3oW
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
USB mini fan with reading light:
amzn.to/3EhsDCE
bamboo breakfast tray:
amzn.to/3GiXM8Q
Hot Logic Mini:
amzn.to/3YD1YbV
glass Pyrex container:
amzn.to/40MXfog
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
Alpicool C20 12V car fridge:
amzn.to/3MHL9X1
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
LED flameless chargeable lantern:
amzn.to/3lE8EVf
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
Outdoor rug:
amzn.to/3yuV5Pv
Folding camp table (aluminum):
amzn.to/37GGGF2
Coleman Camp Chair:
amzn.to/3L52sQg
CLAM Quickset Traveler 6x6ft screen
shelter:
amzn.to/3G48ql8
privacy panels for screen shelter:
amzn.to/3FALXus
Love watching your videos lady. Keep singing 😊
💕💕
Smart girl to follow your intuition! So many times we talk ourselves out of our gut feelings and maybe shouldn’t. Proud of you!
Thank you! I'm still not sure why I was so uncomfortable there, but I was ready to start packing up before sunrise and get moving!
Sorry that site didn't work for you, but glad you followed your instincts. One of the best things we can do for ourselves. 👍
Thank you Anna! Agreed!
Stay safe. How about those sensor lights to scare off unwanted. Also use a back up inside for security ☺️
I've been debating whether I want some type of motion sensor lighting at camp. I can't decide whether too many smaller critters would set it off, lol!
~Heather everything looks so yum!❤
Beautiful! 🌲🐦🥙💚
The big trees are beautiful and inspiring.
I loved the trees here!!
Till the next video, thanks and be safe!
Thank you! 🙏
Cool us some salmon bean patties patties , oh boy bacon mash tatoes, you forget cinnamon bark crush with blender good with coffee
Yum! I better start jotting these down!!
That salad looked good, my new fav dressing is a chipolta ranch. I totally get not feelin it, Ive moved on many times when the spidey sense tingled.. It really sucks that they limit access to some of the sites but theres a lot of places you have to hike in, Paynes prairies tent sites are so close to the parking area but that doesnt really help when half or more of your "tent" is your vehicle.. I just ordered a queen size bed canopy that I think will drape my entire set up like a bug tent. Im thinking a few large magnets and it'll be an ez setup.. Unfortunately summer humidity has hit so unless I go to the mountains my overmights are on a hiatus
Chipotle ranch sounds tasty!! There was a Sriracha ranch I used to get all the time at the store, but they stopped carrying it, and I haven't been able to find another comparable one! And yes, there really wasn't a good reason I could pinpoint, but I definitely was antsy to pack up as soon as the sun came up and get moving!
Beautiful river!
Yes it really was - so peaceful!
Two thumbs up for following your gut! 👍 I would've felt/done the same just based on not being able to see who's near the campsite.
I think it was a combination of that & not having service. It just didn't feel warm & fuzzy! 💚
Maybe it was the gators giving you the vibe…Have fun stay safe.
Idk I'm usually pretty comfy with the gators!! 😉
@@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures not me I prefer Wolverines….
U eat good healthy food . I see so many vaners using dehydrated, processed, dry food.
I've been trying to eat better, but sometimes I still cave and make a backpacking meal or a cup of noodles here and there. I find I enjoy preparing good food more out in nature though so thats been a plus! 💚
Thanks, Heather; another great video. I camp mostly at FL State Parks for safety and electrical hookups. Will your Jackery 1000 cut off after 8-12 hours? I ask because I heard from another camper theirs does, but I wonder if it was a 1000 model. I have three Jackery 240s I bought a few years ago, and one no longer holds a charge. I had my Maxx Air Fan wired to run off a portable Jackery-type battery and am considering primitive camping at Goose Pasture (free) in Monticello, FL. It is part of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area (Suwannee River). But I will need to run my fans and fridge.
It really depends on what you need to use it for. Now that I'm only using Jackery 1000 for my fridge, it will probably last almost 4 days here in the Florida heat in summer. But when I was using it to cook and/or boil water for coffee as well, etc... I would need to think about charging up some after 24 hrs tops in the heat (maybe 2 days in winter)
May I ask, how tall are you? I'm wondering how comfortably an adult can fit with the bed side to side? Thanks!💛
I'm 5'2" (one of the few times being short has been a major advantage lol!)
@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures thanks! It's very nice for you to have the options to switch your bed up. I'm 5'7" , so I guess it's a no-go for me LOL.