We were from Wisconsin, now we're Floridians (we survived Erma).
General handyman, operated family business for 30+ years, many varied skills, certificated aircraft mechanic w/Inspection Authorization. Currently a Mobile RV repair / maintance one man show, if I can not fix it it's not broke!
2 indoor cats
Earth
Fort Myers, FL
2007 National RV Surfside Scooter motorcycle on front rack.
We enjoyed spending five (5) days with the hosts. Ms. host (BoondoockersWelcome prefers we not use their names here) met us on our arrival to show us where to park, where to hookup our electric, and where to obtain our water. The site was very level, and easy for setup. Mr. Host has some RV repair skills, and helped us locate the shutoff valve for our fresh water supply tank and pump (we could hear it running, but I was not able to locate even after taking out a panel in the bathroom - it was in the air intake for the furnace!). With that fixed by Mr. Host, we were good to go! Ms Host provided us with some destinations on parking at Fort Myers Beach, as well as some dining locations. She then invited us to hear her sing at a local establishment convenient to our location, where we had the wonderful privilege of hearing her sing. We did attend, and she sings with a husky voice that so many entertainers are envious of! The next day, she gave my wife and I an opportunity to view her art-studio, where she produces epoxy-oriented decorations for home, along with jewelry. My wife enthusiastically purchased a set of interesting coaster for our RV. The wildlife on the site is abundant: we even saw Wild Turkeys! We would have liked to have stayed longer, but our 5 day stay was too soon finished.
Very pleasant property to be on and pleasant host. The property is very scenic and roomy. The 2.5 mile dirt road is well maintained and could be a little dusty if very dry and someone speeds on it.
Great stay, beautiful property. Jay even helped us trouble shoot a few issues with our RV! Very gracious and hospitable, I highly recommend and will likely request a stay in the future.
Peaceful location, welcoming folks.who could ask for more? Beautiful grounds, be sure to check out the gallery
Very welcoming and friendly. Our hosts were very helpful with knowledge of the area, of plants and animals. We were invited to view the art studio. Amazing works and technique. Our two night stay was very peaceful and enjoyable. We would recommend and would return again.
Thank you!!
Jay and Candie are amazing people and their space is gorgeous. I might move in with them if they would let me!
So nice to be able to stay in the country, yet so close to Fort Myers and the beaches in that area.
Genuinely nice and generous couple. It was perfect for my dog too.
The dark starry skies were beautiful, and the moon in the morning was spectacular.
You could not ask for more hospitable, friendly and warm hosts! Jay & Candie made us feel like we were family visiting. Their home is only minutes from the heart of Ft. Myers, yet you feel like you are in a quiet and peaceful sanctuary far from the hustle & bustle. We loved it so much that we asked if we could possibly stay an extra night. They were beyond accomodating. They are of some of the kindest people we've met anywhere. We especially enjoyed touring their property and learning so much about the local vegetation that they take great pride is nurturing. Also, as others have said, you must check out Candie's art studio. She is so very talented and we couldn't pass up purchasing some of her artwork to proudly display in our coach. We will most definitely return someday. It truly is "A Little Slice of Paradise"!!!
Jay met us as we drove in. He was very welcoming and friendly! The property was beautiful, peaceful and even had a plug-in. We are very thankful for people like Jay who share their love of travel and adventure. He is a pilot, scuba diver (for lobsters), rv-er, and I’m sure a lot more! We would definitely return! Thank you Jay!
This was our second time at Yaj’s. The site is great and plenary of room. Our dog Sam loves the free range area. We had great conversation, sharing travel stories and travel planning. When you visit you must ask to see the art studio! Yaj’s is one of our favorite locations.
Just a wonderful space to relax and feel safe! The hosts were helpful and courteous. The location is very scenic, well kept and easy to find. If I’m ever in this area I would love to come back.
The name says it all. We were warmly greated and shown where to park on their beautiful grounds followed by some pleasant conversation. We had a very pleasant one-night respite. The ground is level with lots of room to maneuver. There is a miles-long dirt road to the property, but it is smooth and level so no problem.
Our stay was cut way short due to work commitments but we did enjoy this beautiful space they have. Hope to go back in the future to kayak with the manatees. Over all our short stay was a great experience & our hosts were so accommodating. Two very nice people to chat with, & hear about their adventures as well. Only sorry we didn't get to see the art studio this time around.
Great host and location.
About 15min from I-75 in a secluded driveway next to a large field. Driveway was leveled gravel with a great view of the night sky.
We watched the sunrise over the trees. What a view.
Host greeted us when we arrived and offered us hookups. The direction he provided was right on point.
Great experience!
This property was gorgeous and the host was extremely helpful and friendly. Everything was perfect c
Our hosts were generous and friendly without being intrusive. On their property we saw a small alligator and a large otter, as well as Red Shouldered Hawks and many of the more common tropical birds. We rode our bikes to the Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, which in WWII was a training site for Air Force gunners. We also went to Manatee Park where we saw dozens of Manatees enjoying the warm water discharge from the power plant. When you first turn off the highway toward their house the packed dirt road is a bit of a washboard, but after 1/10 of a mile or so it smooths out and is suitable for rigs of any size. A wonderful experience and we hope we can return sometime in the future.
Hosts greeted me quickly and showed me where to park. The location was great for my needs. It is about a 10-15 minute drive off I-75.
I had some good discussions with host about lost of stuff from her yard, artwork, life, and throwing bananas in plants.
They even helped me to fix an issue with my van.
If I am in the area again, I will definitely come back for another stay.
Very kind and lovely people!
We had such a lovely stay here. They could not have been more kind and accommodating. We just began our maiden voyage of full time RV’ing and it was so nice to stay in this beautiful nature spot.
What a great stay with amazing folks.
They are super friendly, helpful, and have a quiet place to stay... Highly recommended.
thank you very much for hosting.
Yaj's little piece of paradise was our first experience with BW. They offer a spot off the beaten path, about 2 1/2 miles off the paved highway. My wife felt uncomfortable with all the rain forecasted for today. So we left before we were able to spend more time visiting. Our hostess is an artist but we didn't have time to check out her art work, but maybe we will run into her nearby where she sings. Thanks so much for your hospitality and help showing me the breaker on the generator.
Way out in the quiet country lies a peaceful plot where you can unwind. Our hosts were extremely helpful with figuring out some thing we could do and see in the area, and the hostess showed us her lovely art! We had to leave early due to work and internet connection, but are thankful for our time there.
Being brand new to RVing this was our first attempt at boondocking and we had a great experience. The hosts were friendly and inviting. The property was beautiful with plenty of space for our kids to run around. We would definitely stay here again. Thank you!
Wonderful stop for a few nights. Definitely a different experience during this time in history. Happy to report that it was a safe visit and we practiced social distancing, as much as possible. I hope to be back this way in the future and will plan to see if this paradise slice is open for hosting. Thanks for taking care of my dog Charlie and I.
Truly the best host you could ask for! Our hosts were kind and very accommodating. We experienced a Epoxy demo and a wonderful concert by our hostess. She truly entertained us with her beautiful voice and I got to harmonize a little with her. The host gave me some pointers about my rig. This is the spot for you and a cool breeze to top it off. Would love to go back.
The spot is big rig friendly (ours is a 40' 5th wheel).
Our hosts were extremely gracious and friendly. We hope to get a chance to see them again!
This site is perfect. Jay was welcoming and very helpful with our late arrival and we stayed two nights. The site was very peaceful and solitary. Easy parking with 25ft trailer. We hate to leave and want to come back again in the future.
What a lovely piece of Paradise... Friendly, welcoming hosts, and nature galore! I woke to the sound of a Red-shouldered Hawk, hunting in the marsh near the road. I spent a day birding at nearby Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, and am taking a scenic boating tour at Airboats and Alligators in Immokalee. I'm grateful to Yaj for making it possible for this lady on a budget to enjoy the area.
Their property is beautiful! Their generosity superb! Their friendliness is over-the-top! We can't say enough about these two. Thank you so much for your generosity and offering a safe place for those of us who are full-timing and have to keep a very strict budget.
We can't thank you enough! Perhaps next time we can sit for a while over a glass of wine and chat.
Until next time!
Our second stay. Perfect for us, and hopefully we will return every year on our travels. The hosts are wonderful, and the location is so quiet and peaceful, even though it is close to the city.
Loved this spot. The host were very friendly, we started as strangers but left as new friends. Couldn’t as for nicer people. Certainly enjoyed our talks out in the work shop. Loved see Candys artwork. It was beautiful. Absolute recommend this spot.
Hope to return sometime.
Very close to Fort Myers but in such a beautiful tranquil setting. We biked the gravel road to the preserve nearby and did the 2 mile hike. Hosts were very nice and friendly, not to mention talented. I wish we could’ve stayed longer for the epoxy resin art class and to catch her singing locally.
If you like nature, this is the place for you. I have seen deer, wild pigs with young ones, racoons and of course many different species of birds, all of this right out in front of my rig. I even got my RV repaired by Jay during my stay. He is an aircraft mechanic and now specializes in RV repairs. 5 star + for theses hosts.
Great stay! Be aware there is a long gravel drive to reach, but this was an excellent stay for us. Very gracious and helpful hosts. We want to thank them for the welcoming hospitality!
Great stay ,quiet & peaceful, close to grocery etc
Would return 👍
This was a peaceful quiet stop surrounded by a nature preserve. Saw different cranes although we didn't know what kind. Our hosts were friendly and accommodating.
Loved our very peaceful stay. Interesting to hear about all the wildlife in the area. Easy access and would highly recommend. Thank you!
What a great BW this was. The location is Close to Fort Myers, but also secluded and quiet. This was a great relaxing stay for us.
The host were great and even offered a 50 amp plug.
Gravel drive in was on a very well maintained road, better than quite few highways throughout the US.
This is a location we would stay at again.
Great hosts and great location. There is plenty of room for big rigs to turn around. The site was level. Our dogs loved the freedom of being off-leash. The star gazing was awesome.
My wife and I had a great time at this little slice of paradise! It was very peaceful and beautiful. You can see gorgeous birds flying around, with lots of green, and open blue skys. Yaj was very hospitable and kind. We had a great dinner at Cactus Jack's in Fort Myers, definitely check it out when you stay here. Would love to stay here again!
We loved our visit - the location was easy to find and parking/set up was a breeze! The hosts were great and welcoming.
Thanks so much for your generosity!
We over this place, host were very welcoming.
Want To Fort Myers Beach To spend the day.
It was 25 minutes from our space.
We stayed 2 nights relaxing in the nature with that beautiful couple hosting us the best way, finally hated to say bye bye.
Great host, felt very welcome. Enjoyed getting to know each other. Nice, quiet area with lots of wild life.
Peacefull country place and great & helpfull host. World go again anytime. Thanks for the songs at the Monkey bar...
Our Hosts were more than accommodating, friendly and helpful. We truly enjoyed our stay and appreciate their hospitality. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. We would definitely recommend a stay here.
Jay and Candi were both stellar hosts sharing their beautiful piece of land with us. Wow the wildlife and sunrise was amazing. We were so happy we got to meet these two and hear some of their wild stories of their past. We look forward to crossing paths with these two in the future and would highly suggest this peaceful location outside of town!
Wild animals have been observed in their natural environment, it has been a privilege for us. Candy educated us what to expect and how to differentiate dangerous snakes from those who are useful on their land.
For us in Quebec it's a change of scenery. In addition, if you need to repair your RV or trailer, Jay has a workshop.
Do not hesitate to ask for a visit of Candy's studio, you can buy original gifts in acrylic or epoxy resin at a very good price.
Thanks to Candy for giving us such a warm welcome and taking time to talk about their life here.
Great experience, see our blog: https://www.damononroad.com/yajs/
Thanks Jay & Candy
Rej & Lyne
Yaj was truly welcoming and provided a great space on his driveway for me to boondock and enjoy a slice of his paradise. I was grateful for the electrical hookup he provided because my generator was not powering for some unknown reason. I enjoyed this spot and hope that Yaj will allow me to return in the future.
Thank you so much for letting us stay on your beautiful property. We enjoyed watching all the birds and seeing the baby bunnies. Thank you again!
Abundant wildlife, gracious hosts and a relaxing respite.
What a wonderful spot! The Hertes are truly generous people by sharing such a great place on the earth. if you enjoy
rural, this is the place! Birds, Gators, Snakes, Bears, Bobcats and Panthers too!
This was a great place to stay and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. They even had 50amp hookups which was a HUGE plus! The hosts we wonderfull, we wished we could have talked more. Do beware, there are snakes, panthers and fire ants in the area. We did not see any, but the host were nice enough to notify us of all this when we arrived.
Throughly enjoyed our stay. Lots to explore right in this Florida country home. Candice has a great knowlege of the many animals and plants that reside on the property. Jay has a wealth of rv knowledge and we thank him for his suggestions. Hope to visit with these fine folks again.
We had a great visit here in this wild paradise. Remote, quiet, yet not far from downtown Fort Myers. The hosts were super friendly and we look forward to hopefully hosting them someday!
An amazing remote wide open space with very comfortable and friendly host.
Very nice and huge place. Love it. Jay and Candy were nice. Thank you!
What a great place to boondock!. We had friends in Ft. Myers, and spent most of the time with them, but our hosts were wonderful. Away from the city, quiet and great place to stargaze..
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Lots of space, beautiful area, abundant wildlife, accommodating hosts. It's obvious they take great pride and pleasure in their property and are working hard to make their vision for it come to life.
Staying here during a super fullmoon was absolutely a delight! The owls & night calls of the wild birds, were so soothing to hear. There are nearby nature walks, and not too far from the beaches and fine dining, to visit some friends of ours who arrived from England. Thank you for our quiet retreat time.
Great location within a half hour from the hussle and bussle of Fort Myers. A piece of paradise surrounded by conservation area. Great friendly hosts. Thank you for the great stay.
Virginia and Bob
We enjoyed our stay here so much we stayed an extra day and enjoyed the serenity this spot gives.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The host was awesome and the spot was gorgeous. It was super quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed the tranquility and loved watching the beautiful birds and sitting out in the amazing weather. We would love to come back some time. We felt very rested after our stay here. The host was very RV savvy and hospitable.
We were not too far from town yet far enough away that the sky at night was spectacular.
What a great place to spend a couple nights. Very peaceful and quiet at night. A few planes can sometimes be heard overhead with the airport close by but this only lasted about 15 minutes one day. The hosts are amazing, Easy to get to Fort Myers! Hoping to make it back again next winter.
Jay and Candie have a beautiful place just east of Fort Myers out in the country, yet so close everything in town. Quiet open space great, sunset over the trees, with all different kinds of birds to just sit and watch. Just a wonderfully relaxing, and tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of in town.
Jay and Candie both were so very welcoming, it was more like meeting up with old friends then meeting someone for the first time when I met them. And, oh my goodness, can Candie sing! If you are fortunate enough to be there on an evening when she is going to be singing, check it out, she is amazing! Thank you both for such a wonderful time so, you can bet I'll be back!
Thanks for rolling out the welcome mat for us! The spot was nice and serene and the wife and kids really enjoyed their time.
I had the pleasure of staying with Candy and Jay for two nights and these are the kindest, most-welcoming hosts you could hope for. That's what I discovered only AFTER I contacted Jay because of a water and a gas leak on my rig. He's the kind of guy who can fix anything. When I wrote through BW asking if I could hire him to diagnose the troubles, he responded right away and as a mechanic-detective, tracked down the issues and fixed them. His charges were very fair, and I immediately liked him. Then had the pleasure of meeting Candy, and they said "Sure, we'll make room so you can stay the night," even though I had originally reached out only as a fixit resource. Such an enjoyable visit, I came back. These are trusting, open-hearted, talented, wonderful people. And aside from their gracious hospitality, if you're having RV troubles, hire Jay. If he can't fix it, it ain't broke!
A beautiful area out in the country. Unfortunately it rained the whole time but the hosts gave us lots of info about the area as well as wildlife.
We were welcomed by Yaj who got us situated and plugged in. We had a nice gravel ride to the Wild Turkey Strand preserve where we had a hike and saw some birds. Our day was a bit rainy, so we went to Fort Myers for errands and a stop at Fort Myers Brewing for a great beer. Yaj was kind enough to let us dry camp a second night. Despite the rain, we still had a great time.
Yaj was a great host. From the moment we pulled up he welcomed us and helped us get setup with everything we needed. Thanks for letting us enjoy your slice of paradise for a few days. Next time we hope to see a panther!
We really enjoyed our visit with Jay and Candie. Jay looked at our furnace problem and told us what he thought it would take to fix it.
Candie is quite a professional singer. We sure did enjoy her singing. Hope to hear her again.
Thanks for a wonderful visit.
Mike-Bamaman
Thank you to our wonderful hosts for a beautiful stay at their quiet oasis just outside the city. We felt so welcome and had a great stay! Can't wait to stop again!
The hosts are friendly and gracious. Their place is peaceful and it feels like you are away from the hustle and bustle, yet it is only a short drive to town. You have the conveniences combined with a quiet homebase- it is a perfect get away! And, as someone else mentioned, if you are having RV trouble Yaj has an RV repair business, which is a bonus if you are on the road and needing to take care of a few things.
They were very friendly and helpful. They even allowed us to stay a second night when our original request was just one. I would be glad to stay here again in the future.
Private and peaceful site. Many thanks!
Our stay was brief, just one night passing through, but the wide open space was perfect for a big rig and tow. Just plan on taking it slow on the 2.5 mile long gravel road leading in. Very quiet space and very accommodating hosts! Hope to pass through again.
Beautiful, peaceful, quiet and safe. More than enough room for our 42 foot plus towed. Friendly, happy hosts. Perfect stop.
If in the Fort Myers area , this is a must stop!! Jay and his wife are the nicest people. The location gives you all different kinds of birds and wildlife to take in. Hope to see them on the road some time or maybe back in this area again!!
We loved staying here. Quiet serenity several miles down a good dirt road surrounded by a nature preserve. Our morning walks provided some nice results; my wife sighted a Florida Panther one morning and I identified over 30 species of birds in a couple of hours. The host couple, good people, were very friendly making us feel very welcome. We loved it and recommend this place to anyone wanting a quiet stop.
We had a wonderful stay here! Their large property is so easy to get in and out of, and the landscaping was beautiful. The campers open away from their house, so there’s a sense of privacy, too, not feeling as if you’re “in their space”. Absolutely recommend!
This location is a bit rural, so expect some Florida wildlife and bright stars at night! A short drive into Fort Myers if you need anything. I drove out to Sanibel and Captiva Islands and it was an easy day trip. The host was very friendly and helpful- he helped fix some latches on my RV compartments and took a look at my generator that has been having issues. Very knowledgeable and generous with his time. Don't miss a chance to stay at this great locations!
Jay and Candy were great hosts. They gave us good directions to their place and helped get us settled in.
They have a great place if you want peace and quiet, but still not far from grocery shopping etc.
They have a level spot with 50 amp electric and water, lots of open area and an abundance of wildlife.
Also Jay has a RV repair business "Happy Coach LLC', so if you need anything done to your rig he is there for you.
We would love to stop back and spend some more time with them if we are ever back in the area.
This has been a great stay for us. We loved being out in nature, even though we were in a big city. Lots of wildlife and just a beautiful spot. So glad to have met these great people who have made us feel welcome. Great hosts, very knowledgeable.
It was just what we needed in a quiet spot on their large piece of land - very grateful!
Are plants required us to stay an extra day and the host was gracious enough to allow that we were very grateful for that. Very quiet and unique property. My husband got to see a giant turtle that had fallen into a creek upside down and the hosts went into the creek and turn them right side up it was an adventure so to speak. Thanks so much
We enjoyed our two-night stay at Yaj’s Little Slice of Paradise. It is close to the city, but out in the country on a lovely piece of land. The owners were very accommodating and the place was very quiet. I give it 5 stars out of 5!
This host couple was very welcoming and their property was a slice of heaven, just like another boondocker posted. We highly recommend this site.
A beautiful place out in the country with no one else around. The owners were very helpful in getting us set up and telling us about the property. It was nice to be in such a quiet place after several days in a city!
Our hosts were very welcoming and their property was very quiet. Plenty of space for a rig to turn around.
Wonderful hosts both very resourceful. Their little piece of paradise is close to beach and country. Looking forward to trying out a few recipes thanks Candie x thanks for sharing your oasis with us and hope we see you again!
Great experience, beautiful place. We had some issues with our trailer that needed attention, and yaj solved all of them. And he did a fantastic job! If he can't fix it ..it ain't broke. Absolutely wonderful folks who we will see again. They are welcome in our world anytime.
Great place to observe wildlife: we saw gators, a turtle, and all kinds of birds.
Thank you for letting us stay there, we had a wonderful experience.
Little piece of heaven in busy Fort Myers. A secluded oasis , 1/2 hour from the busy beach of Fort Myers. You can go down to the busy beach and tourist areas and then come back to a piece of paradise. Yaj location in down a dirt road 2 1/2 miles with conservation area surrounding it. Quite with lots of birds and a resident alligator. So peaceful and quiet. Our hosts were amazing and helpful in telling us places to do and go. Would recommend this location to anyone who wants tranquility.
Yaj was a fantastic host. Super friendly, very accommodating, and just an all-around great human being. Highly recommended!