Solo Tent Camp & Cook in Florida | Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Blowing Rocks Preserve

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[@steveblindlost9424]

My wife and I camped at JDSP perhaps 15 years ago. We set up our tent and went for a hike. We didn't leave any food out. Upon return our tent was unzipped about a foot. Inside were raccoon tracks from my wife's bag which they had also unzipped. They got into her skin lotion and tracked it around the tent floor, no damage really. Those sneaky raccoons! Enjoyed your videos as always. It's great seeing you visit so many places here in FL we have been, thank you, safe travels, and Merry Christmas!

[@leedanielson7452]

Kelly I started out along time ago just watching your hiking videos, but you sure have branched out and I really enjoy all your adventure videos you are making nowadays….Awesome!❤😊👍👏🏻

[@starman9458]

I started out watching her Florida Trail videos until the end and that's where I went back and started to watch the AT videos and I'm now halfway through the AT videos with only 85 more to go.

[@leedanielson7452]

Kelly’s statement of the day “I have no interest in ever consuming a turtle” 😂🐢 Agree!!!😊

[@GatorLife57]

I'm a Florida boy and love soft shell turtle, gator, rattlesnake , frog legs, and other exotic meat.

[@davidfoley529]

And opossum, surely! @@GatorLife57

[@leedanielson7452]

@@GatorLife57 Next you’ll be saying you eat possum!!! And armadillo!!!🤣

[@GatorLife57]

@@leedanielson7452 haven't tried those yet.....lol

[@leedanielson7452]

@@GatorLife57 🤣🤣🤣

[@maureenmukhlis2934]

WHAT A FANTASTIC OUTING FOR YOU!!🥰🥰 Thank you so so much for sharing all of these incredible adventures! They are going on my wish list 😍

[@anneoconnor3614]

Just love going on your adventures with you !! I admire your cooking - you make it look so easy cooking over a camp fire ! Thank you Merry Christmas !

[@joebacarella1304]

Hey Kelly...I'm hooked again. Love your videos. The detail to your cooking, the originality to the recipes, the cool places that you go, even the music that you add. You take such pride in what you put out there and it shows. Appreciate it all.

[@stephenkenny7661]

Kelly!!!! I love your channel!!!! I'm big into the PEOPLE documenting their Appalachian trail hikes!!!!and I love the solo camping stuff. I love Florida...grandpa lived there for 45 years!

[@mfarmer2742]

I really love your videos! You are truly living the dream. I've been living in Florida since 2001 and haven't done as many excursions as you because I'm alone but you've shown me what I am missing out on. Thank you so much!

[@ericfinley3915]

Great adventure! Dinner and breakfast looked DE-licious! Thanks for taking us along.

[@robmechanic]

Wow you were so in my back yard. JD State Park is the first place I ever camped some 50 years ago. Was very primitive back then. My wife and I are camping at Highlands Hammock State Park for my 60th birthday in January. Thank you for sharing such a great video. God bless. ❤

[@graym7803]

That was such an awesome trip! Thank you for sharing it!

[@JoeandEmmaLee]

Sooooo beautiful! You always find the best spots 😊 Glad it was a successful trip Kelly!

[@luisfont6468]

It’s been a great state park since the 80’s. Tks for the video and memories. ☮️

[@johndonahue4777]

Kelly, living the life. Good trip and apropo cook out too. Very cool. My favorite part was the 'shooting' planet on time lapse. Such beautiful settings that everyone wants to go. Congratulations! And a very Merry Christmas.

[@user-kq1wt9zf3w]

Love your Florida videos, i grew up there in Ocala. My wife and i watch your kayaking videos, i think she's ready for a tubing trip down the rainbow river after seeing your videos. Thank you.

[@ktharris318]

One of my favorites! And Blowing Rocks is so peaceful despite the crashing waves~ love that you shared it! =)

[@suethompson9199]

You have to come back and hike the Ocean to Lake Trail. It’s really good. JD used to be a military base back in the early 40’s. They have some cool ruins that still exist in the park. My favorite is the firing range. It’s a short hike in the park. We always find old bullet shells from the early 40’s over there. There’s also a hidden steam engine just off of the Ocean to Lake Trail, in the back of the park. It’s from the old saw mill that used to exist on the land. It took me a month to track it down and find it. It’s really cool. Love your videos, can’t wait to see where you go next!

[@hookedonwhiskers9390]

Stumbled onto your videos while looking up Florida camping videos. Love the content keep up the good work. Subbed

[@mattbratcher3383]

Yes! Datil pepper sauce is the best. I literally put it on everything. My favorite thing to add it to is seafood gumbo soup. Also medium sized scallops is good to add into your soup you made in the Dutch oven. Another favorite place of mine is Ft. Matanzas. I lived just south of there when I moved to Fl. There is tons of things to do there. They have a really nice campground. You can drive south to Flagler Beach. I lived there a couple of years. It’s a very small beach town. You would love it. This was a great video by the way. 🤙

[@DavidDavis-fishing]

Gooood afternoon from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great afternoon!

[@annetteevans5256]

I grew up in that area, JD Park was the first place I decided to try hiking. I've done many miles there and absolutely love it. I'm on the West Coast of Florida now but it is definitely one of my favorites.

[@travelingwithrick]

I stayed there a couple years back. Theres a good book about Trapper Nelson. Fascinating guy. The park is the former site of Camp Murphy during WWII. Important radar installation and training camp for the Army Signal Corp. Nice to have someone do a full video on the wonderful state park. 👍

[@amyroggenbuck7165]

Loving your Florida state park videos.

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

That is one beautiful state park. You cook like you’re from Louisiana. 😊 Cast iron is hard to beat. That was a delicious recipe. Those rascal raccoons were after it. Great adventure as always.

[@dandypoint]

Wow! Another place I am putting on my list! Thanks, made my day!

[@Crazy-s8s]

Another fantastic video Ms Kelly😃 Thank you for sharing lil adventures with us, the park was beautiful and the raccoons are cute but can be rascals on occasion for sure😃 The soup looked scrumptious and reminded me of the turtle soup my grandparents used to fix when I was a small child, they caught snapping turtles 😋 That’s been many decades ago now tho😵‍💫 Your fried corn pone looked so good, that’s something I still fix regularly still today I so enjoy your commentary and the places you take us to as you go sharing the sights and sounds ❤️ Thank you again, take care, keep safe and see ya next time on here👍🏻🙏🏻😃😊 PS In case your not on here by Christmas Wishing you A Very Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄and A Happy New Years too🎉🥂

[@FMTFXE22]

What a wonderful adventure that park is.

[@robp3431]

Ah cool, glad you got to check out JD ! I live 15 minutes to the west and hiking/biking are my passions...... we are blessed with some cool preserves. Since you mentioned the Ocean to Lake trail..... for day-hikes (and great free camping), check out DuPuis next time.

[@cigar70665]

As always, so enjoyable. Love the videos!

[@TeeGreen222]

So close to me! Glad you made it down to this neck of the woods!

[@ralphp3057]

One State park I have missed! Camped at 47 state parks in Florida I believe. Been watching your play list on the FT ! Very good. I have section hiked the AT . Have done sections of FT near Gainesville we’re I live ! Probably do a big section starting at Christmas and walk home . Thanks for sharing! 😁

[@JohnnyBaughAdventures]

That looks Soo good and healthy! Your cooking adventures are reminding me more and more of Dome Life. Well done 🤙

[@dayhikedave]

Very cool 👍 Not ideal camping weather here in Pa. Thanks for getting us out 🏕🥾⛺

[@michellebrownphoto]

Wow, this was a fun trip! Thanks for sharing it!

[@ashrule2034]

been watching all of your florida videos. i had no idea there was so much cool outdoors stuff to do. i’ve never seen any hiking/kayaking/camping in florida. i wanna go!

[@BruceOnLocation]

Thanks for sharing your video. I will add this park to my list.

[@keithmcclanahan9158]

Great video! Soups and stews are great camping food. Didn’t know there were so many cool state parks in FL.

[@billevans9231]

Thanks Kelly another great adventure

[@chainoflakesrefrigerationa2906]

So jealous of all the amazing places you are visiting!

[@natecanale7889]

Thanks for your videos, Im in Daytona Beach and enjoy seeing someone here.😊

[@mr.e0311]

Ive always wanted to bump into one of these on a primitive camping trip. Been a thing for a very LONG time.

[@TheThomas129]

Just got back from Blowing Rock Preserve. Very cool spot. We went there after seeing your video. Great place to spend half a day with a picnic lunch.

[@CS-qx2hv]

Nice one ! You've inspired me to load up my truck and go cook outside somewhere new,, that park looks cool,,,and the trapper's spot was epic 👍

[@robertsanders8866]

Great video! I had a good time at the sp w you .. lol still hungry tho tht campfire dinner was lit! Good work here. Nice edit !

[@OsmanAkgul19]

I will definitely do this tour. Thank you.👍

[@joankline343]

Good morning Kelly! Thanks again for sharing another great video & adventure from your area. That's a very interesting place to visit & your a very gifted film maker. I sure do love your video's and everything that you share including your cooking and meal prep. Haha 😂 to the turtle 🐢 soup bypass. My husband said that he loved turtle 🐢 soup and was going to make us some but I convinced him to let the turtle 🐢 go 😅 I've had ground hog fixed by a friend and didn't know what it was until I ate it and i was surprised that it was really good 😮 The Florida travel agency needs to give you a job 😉 because you make Florida look like an interesting place to visit or live. Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄 🎉

[@georgeacosta_]

love the video!! Planning a trip out there this weekend

[@curly__3]

Beautiful place! Thanks.

[@richardross7219]

Good video. Happy Travelling. Good Luck, Rick

[@carolwerner3881]

Another great video! I just love the FL parks, everything about them. You sure know how to have fun! That's so funny , you making his stew! Without the turtles, I don't blame you, sure looked delicious ! Keep up the good work.🌴🌞

[@cwesley2005]

Kelly Your videos just keep getting better and better! Keep crushing it. Hey cow!

[@rockercover]

7:42 Suprised at the distance of the view, from this platform. (You are visiting some interesting locations). Glad many states maintain these preserves, for the public.

[@sterndrives]

Cool!!! I hike there every few weeks.

[@chandlerhayes4840]

I’m planning my first solo trip somewhere here in FL and your videos are really inspiring :)

[@wendypelaez9305]

Love watching what you are doing!

[@TheChuckoluck]

Your new camera is doing a great job. Everything looks fantastic.

[@mikeholley4488]

Gopher tortoise is actually delicious! They were a staple for Floridian country folk (reason they're endangered now). As a kid my dad and uncles would run a heavy wire with a hook bent on the end down the burrows. After you hook the shell, you pull them out with a 4x4 truck if it's a big one. Soup and shishkabos

[@maxxcherry12]

Campsite thanksgiving love it!! ✌️😎

[@wildwes.]

That looks like some real good food you did a great job

[@thecrankster4162]

Awesome video stay safe and enjoy Florida

[@RickINFJ]

15:00 😂 I love pepper, I bet Kelly's Pepper Corn Pones were awesome! Exceptional video 9L. It was jam-packed from start to finish with great content. This will be a repeat watch for sure. Peace ✌️

[@351mystic]

JD is Awesome for mountain biking, canoeing, hiking etc. There are some old war bunkers out their above and underground, steam engines, and just lots to see and explore. You will see gators sitting in the middle of mountain bike trails, massive boars, and deer from time to time.

[@ktrpillar]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Especially your cooking project. I'm looking forward to trying out a Dutch oven on my next backpacking trip 😂 (j/k car camping trip) Jonathan Dickinson SP and Blowing Rocks are two of my favorite places in S FL. My friend lives right nearby and will probably go there when I visit her in the beginning of January. Let me know if you'll be in the area!

[@pronetowander2153]

Great video Kelly, Florida is looking good to me now 36° now where I am have a great day and stay safe.

[@stevenutepass7671]

Got ya beat 9,000' Colorado mountains -4 this morning, I live cabin heat strictly wood, stay warm where you are! Only caught this video because I left Florida near Johnathan park Jupiter in 2010, truck camper two years, 35,000 miles and pulled the wheels out from under here.

[@peacenserenity19]

I found your channel yesterday and now I am binge watching all your videos. I wish I could go camping alone, I just need to do it one of these days!!

[@kellyhays23]

Welcome! & yes you can! It gets easier every outing! :)

[@stevenutepass7671]

Very cool, thank you for bringing back memories. Spring 2010 amidst severe depression living Jupiter on the loxachatee family home I went to Stuart prevost dealer, left and stopped Johnathan park, the host couple had a lance truck camper they showed me, 3 weeks later I was in Georgia dealer with my new lance 1181 and two German shepherds under one year old. We traveled two years, 35,000 miles and cured depression (two time serious survivor suicide), I now live on 11acres off grid at 9,000' Colorado mountains near Keystone & Breckenridge resort's, minamilst heat strictly wood couldn't be happier! Lance actually inquired to me about following journey, I didn't know if I'd live or not and declined, my goal was to get away not be known, pick a road to get lost & found myself along the way. Clearly I come from money, possession didn't bring happiness, living life did! Just sharing hoping to inspire others if life has you down, change it! Happy holidays

[@flounder2394]

Another cool camp video!! I'll have to check out that park next time I'm in South Florida. I'm in the panhandle if you ever come up this way.😊

[@minxey1107]

I lived down the street from there! Cool place!

[@stevenutepass7671]

Nice I grew up part time Jupiter, locate my friend Tina in tequsta for me? Lol. She did own the drive thru liquor store on center street and dolphin drive jupiter back 2010, she's a wild great lady!

[@frankgallo2946]

I live close by and visit this park often. Grew up camping there in Boy Scouts as a kiddo 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@Time4myself4me]

Recently found your Channel. you do a beautiful job showing us your world, thank you. Look forward to your next adventure. being in my backyard of South Florida I have a suggestion for a future video. I've been to some pretty cool places and would love to share, stay safe

[@jasonjones5213]

Another great video.The soup looks delicious.I agree about eating turtle.

[@tomgorycki7176]

If you haven’t already, you should rent a canoe from Jupiter Outdoor Center at Riverbend Park and paddle the upper section of the Lox. There’s a shuttle back to the start. The miles of river upstream from Trapper Nelson’s are really wild and beautiful.

[@FieldsOfGold149]

Thompson fish company used to sell gator been a while though as I moved to Kentucky Auburndale Florida cheers!

[@richardthorne2804]

Excellent video… for some reason I am really enjoying your cooking 🥘…and you certainly don’t make it easy on yourself. Would be cool to see you come to Wyoming and hike the Wind River Mountains someday.

[@MTHomestead]

Absolutely and awesome video, I would love to head down to FLA and visit that state park and Trapper Nelson's place. Keep up the great work and you can count us in as a fan of your channel.

[@chadtilghman255]

Omg Datil pepper sauce is my favorite!!! I have several bottles in the cabinet at any given time. I need to get out of Arkansas for a bit and check out that park and homestead.

[@BobL84]

your videos get better and better

[@Thewhippedhippie]

Come to Texas, check out the Comal River and San Marcos River. Springs of life in Texas. Love the spring videos.

[@vickifg13]

Loved your video as always. Your food looked so good I had to get myself a bowl of soup.😂😂😂 it’s only 11pm🤣🤣

[@reelivin8112]

Have pi’s/underwater vid of blowing rocks at its nicest, about 2yrs ago. It was spectacular at that time, been back last year and nothing but rock tops, you wanna snorkel at mid/high to be able to see everything.

[@mmholdings4662]

Turtle in the beginning of video is a gopher turtle. Very good stew and soup meat when they were legal, many years ago.

[@BIKENESS]

Crazy to think places are warm right now..im in Colorado..in the 50s. Nice little mountain there 🤠

[@stevenutepass7671]

I'm up near Summit, -4 this am sunrise.

[@darrellsheffield8283]

I carve wooden spoons and utensils...that looked like a hand carved one you were using! Thanks for the video!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

9L, we have a program on our PBS channel called; Florida Road Trip. It is interesting and educational. Your Florida Forays are even better! Not only are your videos interesting, informative and educational, they are fun and personal. I’ve been with you since pre AT . When I see a new post from you, I smile and say to myself - great!

[@reelivin8112]

Looked like a type of gumbo, you hit it pretty good. Cool vid around the place. Grew up just south of the park, used to sand buggy around hobe sound.

[@maliadog]

My girlfriend and I had a close call with an aggressive gator at this park. We canoed to the Trappers camp and had a large gator lunge at us while we were paddling back. The damn thing came off the bottom and almost tipped our canoe. No joke. Girlfriend was hysterical and I was spooked too. Quite the experience that I remember clearly 20 years later.

[@starman9458]

Hobe Mountain is really beautiful with some tropical scenery and love the ocean waves crashing. Also the Lake Wales Ridge that runs though central Florida where the Bok Tower Gardens is at is an ancient sand ridge that dates back to the Pleistocene Period from 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago thus why Florida has some ancient sand dunes. i have a lot of knowledge in archaeology and history.

[@user-tc6or7hk5i]

Dinner looks awesome

[@woohog1]

Nothing beats a good "pub sub" !!! Great video, new subscriber here. Interesting history for sure.

[@woohog1]

Funny thing I just now realized, we have a reversed situation. I was born in Arkansas, raised in FL, (Lake County) pretty much right in the middle of the state. Your from Arkansas and live in Florida! Just thought it was pretty cool.

[@davepicard4476]

The park is great and Jupiter island is also beautiful

[@lousadventures2111]

Thank you, Kelly great episode, as usual. Travel safe god bless. .

[@darrinkelley4842]

Check out ols sugar mill restaurant in de Leon springs you cook you're own breakfast at you're table and while there you can swim in the spring then if you're up there check out blue springs state park lots of manatees in winter months was there last week and there were 200 both neat places near deland the town of deland is really neat too

[@perfectweather]

Great video, thanks 👍

[@Victory1981]

Nice video Kelly Hays! A very small amount of beaches in Florida have rocks like that right on the water. Washington Oaks Garden SP in Palm Coast have them on the beach. I believe there’s a bunker on the premises at JDSP as well.

[@kellyhays23]

Thank you so much! And so cool. I can’t wait to come back here and do more exploring!!! Hays* 🙂

[@Victory1981]

@@kellyhays23 Sorry, corrected the typos

[@miken7629]

A simple corn meal "Hoe Cake" is 2 parts corn meal + 1 part "Just add water" pancake mix + water to thick batter, cook like a pancake. The wheat gluten in the pancake mix is the binder and is self rising.

[@davidbalderston2751]

Cool gauntlet. Now you can become a falconer. I think those raccoons were eating acai berries from an acai palm tree!

[@brenthiteoutdoors]

Great Video...Thanks for sharing!

[@fitnessfreak498]

lots of fun and nature .

[@severecracker3640]

If I had known you were going to Hobe Sound I could have given you a lot of information. Love the video excellent work. I know making videos isn’t easy. I know a lot of places you can camp.

[@pawpawmike7372]

Another great video, Kelly. Beautiful beach. And, as always, thank you for always sharing your beautiful smile with us.