Jonathon Dickinson State Park
Jonathon Dickinson State Park
Welcome to JD State Park, a park rich in history! Do you know who Jonathon Dickinson was? He was a Quaker who, with his family and several others, was shipwrecked in 1696 on the coast of what is now Martin County and spent several days with the Jaega Indians. He also met the Ais Indians. Dickinson kept a journal about his journey home, which was published in 16 languages. Much of what we know about the Native Floridians comes from Dickinson. Jonathon Dickinson State Park was the site of Camp Murphy in the 1940s. This was a secret radar training school that had 1,000 buildings and 6,000 people. There was a theater, bank, and its own sewer system! Trapper Nelson lived here from the 1930s until the 1960s. He was the “Wild Man of the Loxahatchee” and hosted many famous people. Today the park offers many activities: hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, swimming, fishing, camping, eco-tours, and a Visitor’s Center.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson/
Day 1
There is so much to do! An auto Tour is available, so as we rode around the park, we stopped at the 12 sites to learn more about the area. Stop #2 is Hobe Mountain, a whopping 86 feet above sea level! Maybe that doesn’t seem high, but it is the highest point south of Lake Okeechobee. Hobe Mountain is a sand dune, left from a time this was the original coastline. At the top is an observation tower, with awesome views of Indian River Lagoon, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding countryside. The ruins of Camp Murphy are visible. The tour is a 10 1/2 mile loop, with opportunities to get out and walk.
Our next activity was to take on the Loxahatchee in a canoe. The river and park have abundant wildlife including alligators, turtles, many kinds of fish, and water birds. We were the only ones out today, so we heard mourning doves, insects, frogs, and jays. There were several ibis’ on shore, a couple of gators within sight, birds flying overhead, and a snake. The park is home to a pair of eagles, but we didn’t see them. 140 species of birds have been identified here! Land animals include bobcats, deer, otter and Florida mouse. Both freshwater and saltwater fish are found in the river. We paddled up Kitching Creek, through the mangroves and past cypress dripping with Spanish moss. Fish leapt into the air and splashed back into the water. Tiny water bugs darted in zig zag paths. We were in Old Florida, and loving it! We felt as though we were in the middle of a jungle, and we were!
Part 1
The excursion gave us an appetite for lunch. Harry and the Native, in Hobe Sound, is a great place to go. It’s fun and unpretentious, with delicious food, priced reasonably. Our lunch today was a gator burger, something new for us. The sandwich was tasty and tender. It comes with a choice of slaw, potato salad, fries, or cucumber salad. The salad was tasty! They have mimosas on the menu, so MaryJo had to try one. Greg had a beer. Total before tip was $28.25. This was originally a motel, café and gas station, back in the 1940s. The present owners, the McArthurs, have been here since 1952. There is patio dining area with a stage for live entertainment, and a gift shop. Funny sayings adorn the walls. The kitchen is open so customers can see food being prepared. Harry and the Natives is a local landmark. http://harryandthenatives.com/index.htm
Back in the park, we did some more hiking, and had an ice cream at the concession. We checked out the “swimming hole.” We had planned on the eco tour, but lightening had other ideas, so back home we go. We’ll be back in the area tomorrow, because we want take the eco tour and do some fishing. Not far away are beaches, museums, and Jupiter Lighthouse. We have a lot to see and do.
Day 2
A short hike on Kitching Creek Nature veering off to Wilson Creek Nature Trail was a good start. Some lizards ran across the path, birds were calling, crickets were chirping, and a breeze rustled the palm fronds. Wilson Creek is tiny. It was fun, and gave us a lower body workout. It took us about 30 minutes.
Off to the eco tour! A pontoon boat took us and a few others up the Loxahatchee. There were several turtles sunning themselves. Two ibises flew across the river. We spotted at least two gators, with just their heads out of the water. Our captain pointed out cypress trees, palms, and mangroves. There are several osprey nests atop trees. Did you know an osprey nest can weigh 40 pounds? The birds return each year to the same nest! The river narrows after awhile, and the boat can’t go on if it’s low tide. Yes, the tides have an effect on the rivers! The turning around spot is Trapper Nelson’s Camp. Trapper Nelson is one of the most colorful of South Florida’s people! He was known as “The Wildman of the Loxahatchee” from the 1930s until his death in 1968. Trapper sold alligator and otter pelts, produce, orchids, and allowed people to camp on his property. He wrestled with alligators and had a small zoo. Many famous people came to see him. He would sometimes swing out over the river on a rope, a la Tarzan. He carried a boa constrictor around his shoulders. He was also known for his many love affairs, often with married women. In his last years, Trapper became a recluse, shutting down all his enterprises, and greeting visitors with a shotgun. He was found dead of a gunshot to the chest. The coroner ruled it suicide, but many dispute that even today! It was rumored that Trapper had money hidden in the house. many searched for it, but it park personnel, two years later who found it! $2,000 in change was hidden in the wall behind the fireplace! A ranger-led tour explores the camp, with its fruit trees, zoo cages, his cabin, water tower, and other buildings. His guest cabin is available for rental – $8 per night. No electricity! This is a fun and interesting tour, and one most people visiting the park want to go on. The tour lasts 90 minutes and is $20 per person.
Part 2
Alas, a severe rainstorm put an end to our further plans of fishing. That will have to wait until another day.
