St. Augustine, Florida
Nestled quietly at the end of a residential neighborhood just south of St. Augustine is a place where both locals and visitors go to enjoy natures peace and pure relaxation. It's so peaceful that the only noises one usually hears are that of an armadillo or squirrels rustling though the brush, a fish splashing in the water and the birds cheerfully singing in the massive oaks.

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Located on Pellicer Creek is Faver-Dykes State Park. The park offers a variety of activities but fishing is a favorite pastime here. The creek offers an abundance of speckled trout, red fish, drum, mullet, flounder, snook and much more. The creek also makes for a great canoe trail featuring a four-mile, half-day trip from one of the lesser-known and lesser-used parks in the state park system.

To take the canoe trip, canoeists push off from a landing in the park and paddle west and upstream. The creek runs for a mile-and-a-half along the park boundary before flowing through private property. Canoes are rented at Faver Dykes, next to the fishing dock. The rental rate is $8 for the first two hours, $3 for each additional hour or $20 for all day.

If you are more of a land lover, the 1,609 acres of mostly wild landscape, Faver-Dykes State Park is definitely a place to get away from the normal everyday hustle and bustle. There are no telephones, televisions or traffic. The main area of the park offers a large picnic area with pavilions, a large fishing dock, new boat ramp with a floating dock and a campground. The campground features 30 sites complete with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, dumping stations and full shower facilities. There is also a primitive camping area for youth groups.

Two nature trails allow visitors to stroll through the oak hammock. Along the way you cant help be fall into a trace of relaxation from the sounds of the trees and the wildlife within. Occasionally along the trail, visitors are greeted by some of the wild life that calls the faultless park home. The trail gives life to the monotony of a daily walk.

Favor-Dykes was originally part of the old Buena Suerte Plantation granted to Gen. Joseph Hernandez by Spain in 1817. U.S. forces during the second Seminole War later occupied the area. In 1950 the park was donated to the Florida State Board of Parks and Historic Memorials by Hiram Faver, a retired Clerk of the Circuit Court in St. Johns County.

Today, much of the landscape remains the same as it did when the Spanish first began exploring here in the 16th century. And like the Spanish, visitors come here from all over the world to explore this tranquil setting.