Jonathon Dickenson State Park

Brian and I got in one more camping trip before our BIG 2018 SUMMER ADVENTURE.  We packed up and went to Jonathon Dickenson State Park near Jupiter, Florida.  I thought it would be a "relaxing at the campsite" type of trip.  Instead, there was so much to see and do that we didn't get to do everything I planned.

Sightseeing Outside the Park

We visited two interesting beaches, Coral Cove and Hobe Rocks Preserve.  There are plenty of traditional beaches in the area, but I enjoyed these unusual sights.  At Coral Cove there are large worn limestone ridges between the sand and water.  It was fun exploring the pools of water for shells.

Another day we visited the Hobe Rocks Preserve at high tide to watch the waves crash.   It was relaxing to watch the waves crash on the rocks.  I would definitely like to come back and spend more time here.

We climbed the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.  Climbing lighthouses are a challenge for me on two levels.  The physical part of climbing is a little difficult.  But my fear of heights and enclosed spaces is the biggest challenge and adds to the adventure.  The view from the top is worth all the pain.  The climb down is what gets my palms sweating and my heart racing.  But then, I can't resist stopping to take pictures.

Brian and I participated in a nighttime turtle walk to watch a loggerhead turtle lay eggs on the beach (Loggerhead Marinelife Center).  I appreciate the sea turtle conservation efforts.  And I found the information about the turtles interesting.  However, I didn't enjoy the evening.  It was too late at night (close to midnight), too many people in the group to see everything, plus after an hour I got bored!  The best part was watching the large 400 pound sea turtle walk back into the ocean.  I don't have any pictures because you could not use any lights or a cell camera.

Fun Times Inside Jonathon Dickenson State Park

I was amazed at all the activities to do within the park.  The park is over 11,000 acres on the Loxahatchee River, the first Florida river designated a National Wild and Scenic River.

I hiked every day (a good way to get in my 10,000 steps).  There are plenty of trails, some with geocaches.  I thought the caches would be on the trail...but NO...I had to bushwhack my way through the brush to find the caches.  Luckily they were nice sized ammo containers, so once I got the to coordinates, they were not hard to find.

The river's name, Loxahatchee, comes from the Indian words for turtle and river.  I definitely saw turtles both hiking and on the river.  Most of the turtles were adult sized, but I noticed this little baby slider on a path.  I also saw lots of birds...scrub jays, osprey, mocking birds and hawks.

Also on the hikes, I started noticing the wildflowers.  It would be interesting the change in the flowers at different times of the year (one of my reasons for wanting to come back to the park).

The park has miles of off road bike trails for the adventurous mountain biker.  It is a popular area and I always saw riders on the course.  I only biked on the road and paved trails...very comfortable and scenic.

Brian and I climbed the observation tower on top of Hobe Mountain (the highest point in southern Florida at a whopping 86 feet).

There was so much to do that we never went kayaking.  I know it is hard to believe. But we couldn't leave without getting out on the Loxahatchee River.  On our last morning, we took a pontoon boat ride on the river with a stop at Trapper Nelson's homestead. 

We will return to this park...

So much to do...and not enough time  

A Walk in the Swamp

Brian and I spent a few days at the Collier-Seminole State Park on the west side of the EVERGLADES.  The highlight of that trip was a SWAMP WALK.  We took a guided tour from the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery.  It was a private 2 hour tour with our guide, Scott.  I was a little concerned about the walk when I booked it.  The usual concerns...alligators, snakes, bugs and walking in water.

It was a blast!  We spent two hours walking through water from ankle deep to hip deep.  Walking was very slow.  Even though the water was clear, you have to test each place you put your foot down to watch for roots.  In the two hours we probably only covered a half a mile.

It is beautiful in the swamp, the lichen and algae decorate the trees, the air plant blooms were everywhere and we saw several native orchids in bloom.

There were young alligators, swimming in front of us.  One was a group of three and they took off once they saw us.  Another small alligator was swimming in front of use for a little bit.  Eventually he got irritated that we were following him and he took off.  Brian noticed a fish spider, probably 4 to 5 inches.  The spider was very patient and stood very still while we talked about it and took pictures. 

Another fun time was when a catfish and gar swam past us...the catfish brushed my pant leg. 

We didn't see any snakes.  I really don't like snakes, but I was so comfortable in the swamp that I was disappointed not to see one.  I was so into the moment during the walk that I didn't remember to take many pictures.  It was that much fun.

The SWAMP WALK was the highlight of the trip, but it wasn't the only thing we did.  Brian and I arrived at Collier-Seminole State Park at the tail end of Subtropical Storm Alberto.   I am not sure if it was the storm or the time of the year, but there were plenty of open campsites.

The storm left lots of water...good for our swamp walk...not good for the bugs.  I did get some mosquito and fly bites.  I was surprised to hear the park only considered it "Moderate".  I don't want to be around when the meter says "Donor". 

Another fun and educational adventures was the Shark Valley Tram tour.  The tram travels through the EVERGLADES.  Halfway there is a stop at a 45' tower with great panoramic views.

Our tour guide, Kelly, did a great job of describing the EVERGLADES and the different ecosystems within it.  The EVERGLADES begins south of Orlando where water feeds from a chain of lakes into Lake Okeechobee.  The water overflowing from Lake Okeechobee forms a slow moving river through the limestone all the way to the Florida Bay.  Water from Orlando will take a year to get through the EVERGLADES, a vast and unique region...one of a kind in the world!

When I think of the EVERGLADES, I think of sawgrass marches, also called a prairie.  That makes up for most of the EVERGLADES, but there are also hardwood hammock (raised land where palm trees and hardwoods grow), pinelands, cypress swamps and mangrove swamps.

Urban development, agricultural chemicals and exotic invasive animals (pythons) have created challenges to the EVERGLADES.  In the 1970's the importance of the EVERGLADES was recognized and restoration plans were started.

Of course with all the water around, Brian and I kayaked...in a mangrove swamp.  There was no wildlife on this kayaking trip...no alligators and no birds.  That didn't stop me from taking pictures of every mangrove root and flower.  Still, any time kayaking in calm water is relaxing and enjoyable.

One afternoon we went to Marco Island and visited Tigertail Beach.  I picked up a dinner to go of grilled shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce and black beans at Lee Be Fish.  This meal should get a Michelin Star.  It was that good.  The shrimp was fresh and perfectly seasoned.  The homemade cocktail sauce was unique...tangy, fresh with a bite of horseradish.  The black beans were also homemade...lots of toppings for a nice flavor.

The EVERGLADES is not a park that takes your breath away when you first see it (like the Grand Canyon or Mammoth Cave), but the more I experienced it, the more I love it...except for the biting bugs of course.