The Journey of the Gitt n Go Duo

——————

‘In Ontario, Canada, adventurers Jay and Beth have spent over 30 years embracing the great outdoors. Their YouTube channel, Gitt n Go (Get In The Truck N Get Outdoors), captures their camping escapades and culinary skills in nature. From childhood camping memories to exploring serene lakes and trails, their journey is one of love and adventure. As they balance work and family life, they inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural beauty they cherish, sharing dreams of future bushcraft and backcountry camping adventures.’

Background

——————

I was born in Peterborough Ontario Canada but grew in the Durham region area of Ontario Canada.

Beth was born in Scarborough Ontario and also grew up in the Durham region of Ontario.

Life for us growing up was like any typical 80’s kid with the freedom of roaming outside all day and popping in for meals and snacks but when the streetlights came on, we knew it was time to be home. Beth and I have been together for 30 years now and have two adult daughters. We now live in a small town within Northumberland County where we are out in the country now where it is less busy and way more room to enjoy the outdoors.

Can you share with us when you first started to get into these camping adventures? Or have you always been an outdoors person?

 ——————

As a kid my parents were always into tent camping and fishing where we spent a lot of our vacations outdoors or on a lake somewhere.

Beth and her family were more like trailer park kind of people where they would spend most of their summer weekends at the trailer park. She actually spent most of her time staying in the trailer staying away from all the bugs. So, she really never got into camping and fishing until she met me. Since then, she has been hooked.

 How do you decide new places to explore and what factors influence your decision?

—————— 

Depending on the amount of time we have off work; factors in how far we get to travel and explore. We love checking out different Provincial parks more in the early spring and fall seasons when they are less busy. During the summer months we spend a lot of time exploring old logging roads and trails to find new quite small lakes to camp at.

A Lot of what we Canadians call Crown Land. (public land)

I am also lucky enough to have a friend with many acres of forest on their property and allows me to hunt and spend time wild camping in the woods.

  How often are you able to get out and go camping?

 ——————

With both of us working full time it’s hard for the 2 of us to get out together.  Beth being a Registered nurse works a lot of weekends whereas I work through the week and get most weekends off. I personally try and get out at least 3 weekends of the month especially since starting my YouTube channel.  We’ve had a great response with our channel which drives me to get out there and make more content for our subscribers.

Once you’ve found a great spot, can you share with us what your usual camping setup looks like?

 ——————

Well, I mostly camp out of the back of my pickup truck bed. So, it’s a simple quick set up. Pull into a spot, drop the tailgate, pull out the awning and open the camp chair. However, when Beth comes along with me, we have a SUV tent that opens up to our truck bed topper for more living space but still sleep in the covered truck bed.

I also have a hammock tent I bought last year and have been out with it a few times. It’s also a simple set up with a lot less gear to bring.

My newest challenge has been the hot tent I purchased last winter and have had a great time camping out in the cold snowy winter weekends with. 

I bring a little more gear than the hammock whereas I can inside by the wood stove to cook and warm up.

The less set up the better I am noticing the more I get out.

So besides what we sleep in there is always a fire pit close by and some relaxing chairs to just sit, relax and enjoy being outdoors.

What sort of gear do you feel is indispensable in your camping trips?

 ——————

Depending on the time of year will determine what kind of gear we actually need. 

All and all a good shelter and sleep system is a must. We have sleeping bags that are rated for -30 degrees Cellus for our Winter camping.

A good cooking system.  Again, depending on what kind of camping we do but I always have a mini wood burning stove and a jet boil cooking system.

A good Camp knife is always a must have on any camping adventure. 

I have various knives for different applications.

A simple fire-starting kit.

First Aid Kit is also a must have for any kind of camping we do.

Then there are always the personal hygiene kits that we bring every trip.

I feel besides what all i have mentioned everything else is a luxury to have camping.

And we do have our  luxury gear when we truck camp.  Portable fridge, shower, power station and sometimes an electric for Beth during the colder  months lol.

 What does a perfect day outdoors look like for both of you?

—————— 

Waking up on a cool morning to catch the sunrise while drinking a coffee or tea by a morning fire.

Then we normally have a big hearty breakfast.  I love a good breakfast at camp.

After Breakfast we load up the fishing kayaks then head out on the water for a full day of fishing. Beth loves nothing more than being out on that water fishing.

If we are not at a lake fishing, then we usually head out to find some hiking trails or check out what sceneries the parks have to offer. 

Once we get back to camp, I normally do all the cooking, so I like to relax for a few minutes with a few adult beverages then start getting dinner ready.  I always seem to make the best meals while out camping and also a good time to try and make new meals we’ve never tried before.   The cooking seems to make great content for our videos as well. 

After dinner we try to go out again for an evening fish or we just get the campfire roaring and relax while closing the night off with a few more adult beverages before heading to bed.

Do you presently have an all-time favourite spot?

—————— 

We do have a favourite spot we like to go to the most.  I cannot mention the name of the lake as it is crown land and the more people that are finding out about this place the less peaceful it is becoming. But I can say it is in the northeastern part of Ontario.

How I know about this lake is because My father and Uncles came across this lake one time while out riding the trails. Since then, it became my whole family's go to spot as I was growing up.  It has beautiful scenery and great bass fishing. All of our family reunions were there where most of us would stay and camp for a week.  As time went on the family stopped going there due to the growing popularity of the place. 

People were disrespectful to others and the land itself, still to this day you get the odd weekender that will come party hard and trash the place.  Most of the regulars I guess you’d call them end up picking up after them to try and maintain the beauty of the land.  I have met some amazing people there throughout the years.

Both Beth and I have caught our biggest fish from this lake.

Another reason this place is close to my heart is that I spent a lot of time there with my brothers as kids. We lost one of my younger brothers a few years ago. My Dad, remaining brothers and friends all went up to the lake one weekend and honoured him by spreading some of his remains into the lake.  So, it’s a good place to go to celebrate his life and remember the fun times we had together as kids swimming and fishing in this lake. 

What outdoor activities do you hope to try in the future? 

 ——————

More bushcraft in the woods. I would love to learn some more bushcraft skills.

Both Beth and I have been talking a lot about trying more extensive backcountry camping.  Something like kayaking or hiking into some more remote campsite and living off minimal gear for a few days.  It's all about challenging ourselves.

Beth is going to actually try the hot tent camping with me for the first time this winter.  I think she’ll do fine.  It will just be a little more work on my end lol.  Lots of firewood will be needed lol.

What has been your most memorable outdoor adventure together?

 ——————

For us the best times were always when the kids were with us. They both loved camping and fishing especially when we got our new boat… Our youngest has since grown away from it but our oldest still loves to get out there camping and fishing when she can. They both work a lot these days and are unable to get out much.

One of my best memories is when Beth caught her biggest fish at our favourite lake.  Oh, if I had been doing videos then lol.  The excitement she had on her face while fighting that fish and reeling it in was absolutely priceless. As mentioned earlier we both had caught our biggest fish out of this lake.

Words of Wisdom

——————

Always leave it better than you found it. And leave nothing but footprints behind.

To continue following our explorers Jay & Beth’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with them on the following accounts:

YouTube

youtube.com/gittngo

Facebook and Instagram

@gittngo

For business or collaborations gittngo@gmail.com  

Get In The Truck N Get Outdoors! (GITTNGO)

Help support The Roamers Trail by following us on social media