THIS IS A GREAT STATE PARK

Bike trails were always exciting at this state park.
Link to this state park

Beautiful Surroundings

Maggie loves her outings.

State Butterfly

Cacti are blooming this time of year.

Female cardinals were numerous on our camp site.

The wonderful sight of this huge gator was so often, we called him

"Johnathan".

This wetland was his favorite location.

On the move!!

"I bet that scared them!"

Local markets were always a great experience.

This local bird said this was a good source for fish.

Banyan trees marked the road to the beach.

What an unique tree.

Hobe Sound Beach

Great Beach

Views from the tower in the park.

Colorful visitor in the park.

Route to our camp site.

Blue heron on the 

Loxahatchee River Tour.

Roaming gator close to the swimming area!!

Evening view from our site.

Slider Turtle

Arrival at the Trapper Nelson site.

Trapper Nelson was known as the Florida Tarzan since he lived most of his colorful life in the wooded area on the Loxahatchee River.

Guide tour of the Trapper Nelson Site.

The trappers trophy room.

Local Osprey on the river banks.

Manatee flowing our boat.

A Blue Heron on the wing.

Wild boar on the road side.

Woodpeckers at feasting time.

Local strawberry festival.

Not only were the treats great, they also had a number of thrift booths.

We will miss our visits with Johnathan.

ARRIVAL JDSP

 Driving to and from the Keys has  to be one of the best drives in Florida.

Even this Kmart store is a celebration of the ocean setting.

 The seven mile bridge is a thrilling adventure.

Everyone should do this on a 10spd bicycle during high winds and rain, as was the case in the 80's when I biked from Fort Launderdale to Key West. 

 Many of the old bridges are now used as biking trails or fishing piers.

 This is part of the old railway route built in the early 1900's.

 We were lucky to book in for two days at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This state park is located at the start of the Keys. We have stayed there numerous times over the last thirty years and each visit has seen many changes in the park.

This small houseboat was at the dock and owned by an elderly couple who trailed and cruised most of the water ways in North America.

The next day we were off on the tour boat for a "glass bottom" view of the reefs.

Mangrove banked channel to open water. 

Birds in the channel.

Underwater view.

Heading for the open sea!!!

 It was a little rough and as we were heading out many boats were heading back.

This is not a good sign!! 

 Chris and I laughed as I pretended to be sea sick.

My pretense quickly turned real.

While over the reef, I discreetly "dumped fuel". The result of my actions brought in a record number of sea life species to the viewers on board the glass bottom boat. Not one passenger thanked me as I was alone with my very green face and trying to toss myself overboard!!

 AH! HOME FROM THE ABYSS!

 This park poster shows a huge "Christ of the Abyss" statue located on a reef a number of miles off shore at the state park. In the 1990's Paul and I snorkeled over this statue as it was then located in a small lake in the park. At that time I lost the keys to our rental car and Paul dove down and recovered the keys since the rental company could not provide a replacement set for two days.

I think a plaque should be placed on the statue in gratitude of that event.

 Campground visitor (Indego Snake).

 Final drive to the mainland.

 Maggie and the crew.

 Corel rocks in the camp ground.

First night at J Dickinson State Park.