Camping at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Mayport/Jacksonville

October 16 – 23 Camping at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, in Mayport, FL, near Jacksonville.

I was thinking that since we have gone to this park for several years, I should find a different trip, but the park is so beautiful that I couldn't resist going again. This park is completely wooded. There are hiking trials and biking trails, a lake in the middle, and probably the most beautiful dog-friendly beach in Florida. There is a 1.5-mile beautiful ocean beach with soft sand and no condos. It is one of the prettiest beaches that I have seen in Florida. If we paddle freshwater lake, we will explore with little nooks and see a rookery.

The campsites have water and electric. There are a few bare-bones cabins, but they have electricity, air conditioning, a screened porch, picnic table and fire ring. They are the same price as the campsites.

There are several other parks in the area to explore. Two of them can be approached from land or by a paddling trail. For a different experience, take the ferry across the St. John's River.

During the first week, the Blue Angels will be practicing over the park to prepare for the air show on the weekend. The show is about 10 miles south of the park, but a lot of the show is visible from the beach in the park.

The atmosphere in Mayport is like a small town, but drive a little way and there are all kinds of shopping and dining opportunities.

Nancy Doucette, (828) 556-8938, kayakldy8@gmail.com.