Jonathan Dickinson SP

A year ago we bought svIntuition while visiting Beth's relatives in Florida. Johathan Dickinson State Park is the first place we stayed and a perfect spot to return to for a repeat of giving thanks and enjoying togetherness with family. Only 3.5 miles from relatives, the campground couldn't be much more convenient. 


The two distinct camping areas are very different from each other. The only area open this year is near the entrance with big, open spaces suitable for large rigs. Four miles further in, the River Campground is wooded with smaller, shaded sites. Currently closed to upgrade the facilities, we look forward to camping there in the future. 

The Park has many bike trails and we took advantage to allow a little extra room for turkey. We managed to ride  from our campground down to the river and back each day.  For the more adventurous, mountain bike trails and a Pump Track wind around ponds and palm trees. If you don't want to pedal, horses are available for trail rides. Along the way we noticed warning signs about the local reptiles. The first sighting was of a gopher tortoise. The next was a wee bit larger and our first alligator sighting of the trip. The pond was just off the bike trail. We made it a point to stop and check in on him (or her) every day as we pedaled by. Our workouts were made better by gusty breezes blowing in from the Atlantic. It would have been a miserable time to be out there battling a northeast wind in the gulf stream. Here in the park it was a welcome relief from the warmth of the day. At night, the wind (20-30 knots) all week was enough to rock the van and remind us a little of living on a boat.

The park has much more to offer, so we will make more posts on history and the river.

  

Windy enough to blow over both bikes when we stopped at the river.