Thursday, February 14, 2013

A Day at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

If you guessed from yesterday's post that I was "at a park", "on a park bench", "waiting to go on a hike/adventure" and/or "near or at the beach"....you would be correct!

On Sunday, we went for a day hike at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, Florida (Martin County) - which is only about a 45 minute drive from my house.

In addition to being a State Park, Jonathan Dickinson is also considered a historic site, named after a Quaker merchant who shipwrecked on the nearby coast in 1696.  The park has 13 natural communities including sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mangroves and river swamps.  Also, the Loxahatchee River - which was the first river to be designated a Wild and Scenic River - runs through the park.

When we arrived at the park, the ranger gave us an interesting paper that lists "25 Things To Do" at the park (and Hey Gizmo!  One of the things to do is geocaching!).  The first thing we did was walk up to the "highest natural point in South Florida" where yesterday's photo was taken - the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower.  At 86 feet high, Hobe Mountain is really a large sand dune that was created when the sea levels were much higher.


From the tower, you can see a lot of the park as well as the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.  Though the views were wonderful, I actually didn't like being up that high nor did I like the wooden stairs on the way down (I had to be carried - embarrassing).



Anyway, we were then off to the Kitching Creek Nature Trail, bypassing the Gator Culvert (a great place if you never watched gators) since I could be a delicious snack for those creatures.  The nature trail is only a few miles long and is pretty easy to walk.  The landscape is full of pine and saw palmetto some of which was charred from fire (and probably lightning).


Jonathan Dickinson State Park is known for canoeing and kayaking down the Loxahatchee River - which Ma and Daddy-dog have done on a previous trip without me.  The park rents canoes and kayaks and you can paddles down to Trapper Nelson's place.



History Note:  Trapper Nelson came to the area in the 1930s and lived off the land.  A loner, he trapped and sold furs and became known as the "Wildman of the Loxahatchee".  After living here for some time, he built a zoo right where he was living along the river, the remains of which you can visit during your canoe ride.

The park also has paved, multi-use trails for people to walk and/or bike as well as guided horseback riding tours, guided nature hikes and beaches along the river for relaxing and swimming.  You can also camp within the park; there are RV, tent and youth camping sites available.


We spent a very nice day at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and so I give the park a rating of 3 (out of 4) dog bones.














30 comments:

  1. Very interesting! What a great adventure! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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    1. Thanks, Rem! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

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  2. Hey Oz! I agree...Jonathan Dickinson is a great place to go...I've been geocaching there and I've been up in that tower too :) There's so much to explore there and lots of great trails...Maybe we can hike there together one day?

    Momz is getting all my stuff ready and we're taking off tomorrow morning...See you in only 2 days pal! I can't hardly wait :)

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    1. Woof-hoo! We've been to the same place! Just pawesome. Oh, let's hike together there one day. That would be fun.

      I know....two more days and then we get to meet in pawson!

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  3. It looks like a great park!

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  4. Sounds like a fun time...I would be worried about gators and snakes, though! Yikes!

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    1. Hmmm, gators are mostly near the water and we didn't go that close to the water. Snakes, well...you just have to keep your eyes peeled. Some snakes here are harmless and some can be dangerous.

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  5. Beautiful! Looks like you guys had a great time.

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    1. Thanks. It is always a great time when I am out exploring with Ma and Daddy-dog!

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  6. Wows, that looks like a great park Oz!! And they allow doggies?! FABulous indeed!! I'm so glad you had a great time!
    Kisses,
    Ruby

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    1. Yep. Most of the State Parks allow doggies as long as they are leashed! It was a fun time.

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  7. WOW!! You are SUCH a lucky puppy to get to see such amazing things! We wish we could go to the park, but Rumblemum says NO.

    Happy Valentines day!!

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    1. Oh, too bad you can't go to the park. I bet you would have a fabulous time!

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  8. Happy Valentine's Day, Oz! That park looks amazing! I hope that you and your human had a blast there!

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    1. It was a great park! We had a wonderful day!

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  9. Oz, that looks like a great place for a visit! We are glad you had such a fun time. :)

    Hugs to you, and Happy Valentine's Day!

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  10. Looks like a great place to explore! Hope you and Gizmo get to go there together one day, maybe you won't mind the steps if he's there with you:-)

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    1. Oh, I hope Gizmo and I can go there together one day too! Gizmo said he would teach me how to find geocaches!

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  11. Looks like a fun time Oz - hope you have a great Valentine's Day today.

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  12. It looks like you had a lot of fun, Oz! What a beautiful place.

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    1. Thanks, Dawn. We did have a great day!

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  13. What a great park! It sounds like you had some fun adventures! Don't worry, I will not tell anyone about the stairs ;)

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    1. BOL Thanks. It was a bit embarrassing but they were those open wood stairs and for a small dog, that can be a bit scary.

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  14. That sounds like such a cool place to visit! I'm itching to get out on a new hiking trail, and you've made me want it even more! You got some great pictures, too!


    Bunny

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    1. Go Bunny, go!!! It was a very nice park and we had a lot of fun.

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  15. Looks like great fun!

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  16. That looks like a great place for a day out!

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Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier