Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Jupiter, FL

see all photos »

Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Jupiter, FL

Campsite # 33

Tuesday, May 6 – Jonathan Dickerson State Park – Hobe Sound, FL

see all photos »

We did not have far to travel today so we went shopping to get ready for a long drive tomorrow to the Keys. Food shopping, Target looking for an air pump which we finally found (the last one), gas etc planning on leaving early the next morning to take the Florida turnpike. It was a beautiful morning at St. Lucie South Campground when we left at 8 and drove into Stuart – very nice town with a lot of developments, shops, restaurants etc.

When our shopping was done off we drove about 12 miles south on route 1 to Jonathan Dickerson state park. The reviews on this park are good but everyone says it was a beautiful park before the hurricane destroyed most of the trees in the front section. I guess they had to chop down the rest of the trees so they would not fall and it also looks like a fire destroyed part of the park as well. We enjoyed our night here as it was a lot cooler than in the middle of the day.

see all photos »

George and I also took a long bike ride that almost killed me to get to the other campground, boat dock, swimming area and bike trails. We saw a big turtle crossing the road and it was the fastest turtle that both of us have every seen – it almost ran across the road on its four little legs. We also saw another one later but that one was as slow as a turtle. Later on in the evening we saw two of the most beautiful birds with their long legs and their small baby walking down the campground road – wonder if he will make it with all the alligators and raccoons around.

see all photos »

John Dickerson State Park – Hobe Sound, Florida – two campgrounds Pine Grove and River – 24 plus tax – water and electricity. Pine Grove has 90 sites but this section was destroyed by a hurricane and there is limited shade. River is 4 miles in from the ranger station and it has 44 sites but these are well shaded and close to the boat dock, swimming, trails and bike trails.  When we visited in early May there was no swimming because of bacteria or alligators. The River campground is not made for big rigs even though there are large sites the road in is narrow and hardly any room to back in – would not put anything more than a 25 footer in one of these sites. It was really hot when we were there so the Pine Grove sites you needed air conditioning until late afternoon. There are some nice bike trails there and the rangers were very nice.

see all photos »

So George is happy as a log tonight checking his oil, washing the bugs off the camper with a long washer he just purchased, blowing up our camper tires, bike tires and who knows what else. We have had great weather for traveling and camping but now we are in a tropical zone and the humidity and heat are starting to take its toll. It’s still a lot cooler than camping in July and August that we have done in the past with the kids in Florida.