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August/September Newsletter

A condensed events and activities list can be found on our CALENDAR page.
Some trips and activities are spotlighted on our MAJOR EVENTS page.

Trip Leaders: Email your trip and activity write-ups to Newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.

Are you interested in becoming a Sidetrackers member?
Visit the Membership page on this web site, or send an Email message
to our Membership Chairperson at Membership 'at' sidetrackers.com.
 


ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

General Participation Guidelines
 Always sign up ("register") for an event by contacting the leader so you can be reached if there is a change or an event cancellation.  Trip Leaders make arrangements and may set limits on some trips and activities as needed.  If you are not pre-registered you may be turned away at some events.

Additional information about these activities and events may be
announced at monthly meetings and on our YahooGroups Email list.

If you did not sign up for an event or activity at the last club meeting and
would like to do so, please post a message to our YahooGroups list, send email to
someone on our "Contacts" page, or call the leader directly.

September 7, 14, 28 and October 5, Sundays, 4:00 PM: WALK THE DOWNTOWN BRIDGES: In order to be prepared for the Fall Trip to Standing Indian Campground in October we will do multiple bridge walks. Since there are no real hills in Jacksonville, the Acosta and Main Street Bridges will have to suffice. Meet at 4:00 PM in the parking lot under the Acosta Bridge. This is next to the boat ramp at the River City Brewing Company. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750 Home, 630-1212 x 3897 work.

September 13, Saturday, 8:30 AM: JEKYLL ISLAND BIKE RIDE AND SWIM:  Enjoyable bike ride around Jekyll Island with possible visits to the historic district or wherever the group desires. Bring your swim suit and we will cool off with a swim in the ocean. We plan to eat lunch at a local restaurant.  Bring water, sunscreen, your swim suit, a towel, money for lunch, and a bright smile.

Directions to the meeting place: We will meet at the new shopping center off I-95 north. Take I-95 north and turn at the exit for Duval Rd. (East) which is the opposite direction from the airport.  We will meet at the Ross's parking lot and will divide into groups of four to car-pool to Jekyll as a way of saving on gas costs. We suggest you leave your personal bikes at home and plan to rent a bike on the island for approximately $8 or $10. Leader: Kim L. 610-5029
http://www.jekyllisland.com/

September 20, Saturday, 8:00 AM: LOFTON CREEK PADDLE:  Lofton Creek, located outside of Yulee, is a beautiful canopied waterway surrounded by maple and cypress trees. At the turn-around point of the paddle is "the Cypress Tree" which soars upward over 150 feet towards the sky. This paddle, besides its beauty, has two definite pluses: (1) short distance from Jacksonville; thus saves gas -- and (2) paddle takes only 2 or 3 hours; thus, only takes up part of a day. After the paddle, after a bite to eat, we can drive just a short distance and walk along Fernandina Beach --the best beach in the area for shelling. We will meet at Hardees on Merrill Road at 8:00 AM. Leader: Marta W, 725-9521.

September 21, Sunday, 8:00 AM: KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS GAINESVILLE FL: Kanapaha is a non-profit 62 acre educational facility that opened in 1987. There is a gift shop that offers specimens of many plants displayed in the gardens. Meet at Hardees on Lane Avenue for carpooling. We will visit the gardens and have a meal at a local restaurant. The gardens open a 9:00 AM. Admission is $6.00, plus cost of meal. Leader: Mary Jane 651-2201 www.kanapaha.org

September 27, Saturday, 8:30 AM: HIKING AT RAVINE GARDENS:  A ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. Johns River. In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. To give you an idea of the size of the park, there is a 1.8 mile paved road through the gardens. We will be hiking the trails. Cost is $4.00 per vehicle. We will meet at the McDonald’s in Orange Park across from the dog track on US-17, and carpool to Ravine State Park. Leader: Barbara G, 816-223-8822, Co-Leader Peter S, 904-806-2351. http://www.floridastateparks.org/RAVINEGARDENS/default.cfm
 
 

L O N G - R A N G E   A C T I V I T I E S
Mark Your Calendar NOW!

October 4, Saturday, 9:00 AM: FORT CLINCH RE-ENACTMENT AND HIKE, AMELIA ISLAND: Fort Clinch was a Union Garrison during the Civil War. On the first full weekend of each month, living historians recreate life during “The War Between the States”. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. When we’re finished touring the fort, we’ll go for a hike on the hiking trails. Afterwards we’ll drive to town for a meal. Meet to carpool at the Hardee’s on Merrill Road by 9A. Cost: $5 per car plus $3 per person fort admission, plus cost of meal. Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322 www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch

October 9 - 13, Thursday through Monday, FALL TRIP TO STANDING INDIAN CAMPGROUND NEAR FRANKLIN, NC:  This year's Fall Trip will be to Standing Indian Campground at the headwaters of the Nantahala River near Franklin, North Carolina. A group site for up to 25 people has been reserved. There is no electricity at the site. This is a beautiful area that I discovered while hiking on the Appalachian Trail which is nearby. The trails are easy to moderate. Rafting trips are available at the Nantahala Outdoor Center if anyone is interested. Please respond via email if you are interested in participating in this activity. Details for the activities will be decided at a later date. Leader: Judy M. jmalcomb’at’comcast.net, 398-2750 For more information on the web, http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/nantcmp.htm#standing%20indian
http://www.noc.com/

October 25th Saturday, 8:00 A.M. MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS HISTORIC STATE PARK, HAWTHORNE, FL: The home is on Cross Creek that connects Lochloosa Lake and Orange Lake. A park ranger in period costume will guide a tour of the house. This trip will also include a 30 minute self guided walk on the grounds of the homestead. Parking is $2.00 per car and $3.00 per person, plus cost of meal. Eating will be a the Yearling Restaurant that is very near to park and may include musical entertainment by Willy Green, a blues musician who often performs there. Meet at Hardees on Lane Avenue for carpooling.  Leader: Mary Jane 651-2201 www.FloridaStateParks.org 

October 31 - November 1, Friday and Saturday: HALLOWEEN CAMPOUT AT CAMP CHOWENWAW, GREEN COVE SPRINGS: Leader: Earline V. 998-4244

November 8, Saturday: THEODORE ROOSEVELT/TIMUCUAN PRESERVE HIKE, JACKSONVILLE: Leader: Stephanie M. 268-5569

November 15, Saturday: BIG SHOALS (WHITE SPRINGS) HIKE: Leaders: Cheryl G 786-390-9358 and Judy M 398-2750

November 21, 22, 23, Friday night to Sunday: CAMPING AT CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK, GEORGIA: Leader: Diane J. 821-6707

November 29, Saturday, 6:00 PM: DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE, JACKSONVILLE: The annual boat parade features local boats decorated for Christmas. They are fun and colorful to watch. After the parade there is a spectacular fireworks show. This is probably the best fireworks show that Jacksonville presents. Meet at the River City Brewing Company, on the back deck, 835 Museum Circle, next to the Museum of Science and History. Food and drinks are available for purchase from River City Brewing. Leader: Judy M 398-2750 home 630-1212 x 3897 work.

December 6, Saturday, 6:00 PM: NIGHT OF LIGHTS, ST. AUGUSTINE: Each year the City of St. Augustine decorates the town with Christmas lights. We will take a walking tour of the lighted city streets. After the walk we will have dinner at a yet to be decided restaurant in St. Augustine. Cost: cost of meal. Meeting place: to be determined. Leader: Judy M 398-2750 home 630-1212 x 3897

December 13, Saturday: JULINGTON DURBIN PRESERVE BARTRAM HIKE: Leader: Diane J.

December 14, Sunday: AVONDALE/RIVERSIDE LUMINARIAS WALK: Leader: Marsha C.

December 20, Saturday: CHRISTMAS PARTY (FOR SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY): Leader: Earline V.

December 31, Wednesday: NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY/CAMPING (FOR SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY): Leader: Earline V.
 

  

More long-range activities may be scheduled at our next planning meeting.
Make plans now to attend.


Additional information about these activities and events may be
announced at monthly meetings and on our YahooGroups Email list.

2008 Monthly Meeting Schedule
MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
at the Jacksonville Public Library, Southeast Regional Branch, at the Gate Parkway exit off
J. Turner Butler Boulevard.  Subscribers to our free YahooGroups email list service
receive an automatic reminder message in their email two days before the meeting.

WEDNESDAY, September 3, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 1, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 5, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 3, 2008 – 6:30 PM

The SIDETRACKERS Newsletter
If you have any comments about the newsletter, or if you have material to submit for inclusion in the
next monthly newsletter, please send email to newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.

To Become a SIDETRACKERS Member
Membership applications are being accepted throughout the year.  Please visit our
Membership page on the web, or send questions and comments to membership 'at' sidetrackers.com.
The SIDETRACKERS Web Site
Our web site is maintained by Frank who can be reached by email at webmaster 'at' sidetrackers.com.  Please contact Frank if you have any corrections, photos, or other items of interest from any current activities. We will be pleased to consider your suggestions concerning the web site content.

In Case You Were Wondering...
Email addresses are slightly obscured with 'at' instead of '@' in an attempt to foil automated spam robots.


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