Park
Dock
We
woke to a grey windy day...it definitely didn't feel like the middle of April
in Florida or Easter. I had planned to drink my coffee in our little gazebo on the
pier, but decided inside was better today.
We moved twenty miles further up the St. John's to Hontoon Island State Park. We saw a lot more activity on the river today, despite the cloudy weather; a lot of people were out celebrating the day with family. We also saw a lot more birds and one large alligator. The park dock was busy when we arrived and there was just enough space for us to tie up on the outside dock next to another couple that has been here most of the week.
We enjoyed the afternoon and evening visiting with people on the dock and getting more wonderful advice on things to see and do along the river. The park has over 5 miles of hiking and biking trails which we plan to explore in the next few days. Hontoon Island is accessible only by private boat or free passenger ferry that runs across the river. I'm sure we'll have the park practically to ourselves tomorrow and we look forward to exploring.
We moved twenty miles further up the St. John's to Hontoon Island State Park. We saw a lot more activity on the river today, despite the cloudy weather; a lot of people were out celebrating the day with family. We also saw a lot more birds and one large alligator. The park dock was busy when we arrived and there was just enough space for us to tie up on the outside dock next to another couple that has been here most of the week.
We enjoyed the afternoon and evening visiting with people on the dock and getting more wonderful advice on things to see and do along the river. The park has over 5 miles of hiking and biking trails which we plan to explore in the next few days. Hontoon Island is accessible only by private boat or free passenger ferry that runs across the river. I'm sure we'll have the park practically to ourselves tomorrow and we look forward to exploring.
The
first inhabitants of Hontoon Island were the Timucuan Indians. Later the 1,650-acre
island was a pioneer homestead, a boat yard, a center for commercial fishing
and a cattle ranch. It was purchased in 1967 by the state and turned into a state
park. The island's scenery varies with the elevation. Pine Flatwoods occur in
the higher areas, while palm/oak hammocks, cypress swamps and marshes border
the St. Johns River and its tributaries.
A couple enjoying the day fly fishing on the river.
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