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Thursday nights, 6:15 PM: WALK THE DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE BRIDGES AND
RIVERWALKS:
We will start
in the parking lot for River City Brewing Company. The address for River
City Brewing Company is 835 Museum Circle. Google Map it to get there. It is
the restaurant between the two bridges and next to MOSH and Friendship
Fountain. Park under the shade trees.
The
walk will include the two downtown bridges, Main and Acosta (the hill), The
Landing, the north bank Riverwalk (which is 1.2 miles long) Friendship
Fountain, the beautiful Jacksonville skyline and of course the beautiful St.
Johns River. We may add in some of the south bank Riverwalk (which is 1.5
miles). If you are new to Jacksonville, it is a great way to see the city
and some of us that have been here for a while can point out points of
interest and give you stories. If we have enough people and interest, we can
do it in two groups. A group that wants a good work out, faster pace and a
longer walk. And a group that wants to stroll, explore and a shorter
distance. Something for everyone. We may grab something to eat afterwards.
The deck out back of River City Brewing Company is a great place to have a
burger and watch the sunset. You don’t have to let me know you are coming,
just show up. Leaders: Diane J. 821-6707(h) 955-1779(c) if you get lost or
can’t find us. Judy M. 398-2750(h) 610-4729(c)
July
4, Sunday morning/afternoon, ANNUAL JULY 4TH HANNA PARK PICNIC: We have
reserved shelter #1 in parking lot 8 this year which is the best location at
Hanna Park. It has a beautiful view of the ocean and gets a pleasant breeze.
There is a $3.00 fee per car to get into Hanna Park (less if you arrive
before 10:00 AM). The club will provide oven roasters and fried chicken.
Bring a side dish to share and what you desire to drink. Bring bathing
suits, sunscreen, and beach toys if you desire. I plan to arrive at 9:30 AM,
however, you can arrive at any time. We will eat at 11:30 - 12:00. Please
contact (Mr.) Kim L at 645-5112 (610-5029 cell) to let me know you plan to
attend so I know how much chicken to pick up.
July 9, 10, 11, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: AMICALOLA FALLS/HIKE INN CAMPING:
Leader: Erica
S. 200-0168
July
17, Saturday, 8:00 AM: VISIT HOFWYL-BROADFIELD PLANTATION ON SAPELO ISLAND,
GEORGIA AND SEA TURTLE CENTER ON JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA: We will tour
the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation located just north of Brunswick, Georgia.
This plantation illustrates more than a century of Georgia’s coastal history
and was owned and operated by the same family from 1804 to 1973. After the
tour, we will drive to Jekyll Island, Georgia where we will tour the Georgia
Sea Turtle Center. Once we have completed that tour, we will eat lunch in
one of Jekyll’s beautiful restaurants. Bring snacks and water. Cost: $5.00
for the Plantation plus $6.00 for the Turtle Center, plus money for lunch.
Directions to Meeting Place: If you want to carpool, meet at the River City
Shopping Center off I-95 North near the airport at 8:00 AM. Take I-95 north
and turn at the Duval Road East exit. We will meet at the Ross’s parking
lot. Leader: Judy Mc 737-9451(h) 707-2609(c).
July 24, Saturday, 8:00 AM: PADDLE SILVER RIVER:
We should be on the
water by 10:30. This will be a DAY TRIP on the beautiful Silver River. See
monkeys, gators and maybe some otters too if we're lucky. We will paddle
upriver to Silver Springs. We can't get out in that area, but it's fun to
paddle there and see the springs and the people and listen to the music.
Then it will be an easy paddle back to the put-in. Plan on being gone all
day. Bring plenty of water, snacks and your lunch and we'll eat lunch on the
riverbank. 8:00 AM is the time we'll leave McDonald's on US 17 across from
dog track. We will put in at Ray's Wayside Park, the entrance fee is $5.
DIRECTIONS TO WAYSIDE PARK - US 17 to FL 19 in Palatka, FL 19 to County Road
314 Just past Salt Springs, CR 314 to US 40. Turn right on 40 – go across
the bridge and turn left into Wayside Park. Leader: Earline V 614.8629
e.veltman (at) comcast.net
July 31, Saturday, 6:15 AM: ICHETUCKNEE RIVER TUBING / FLOAT TRIP:
Come float down the
Ichetucknee River! We’ll be entering at the State Park’s north entrance so
we can experience the shallow, fragile part of the spring run. The park only
allows 750 people to float from the north entrance each day and Saturdays
are busy, so we need to arrive early to get in. We will rent the tubes from
a business outside the park. Our drivers will drop us off at the north
entrance, drive to the south entrance, then shuttle back to float with us.
We’ll be on the river for about 3.5 hours, and will have the opportunity to
float again at the mid-point after lunch. Meet at the Hardee's on Lane
Avenue, where we’ll carpool. Be ready to leave at 6:15 AM. I know this is
awfully early, but it’s worth the effort. You can bring your lunch for this
all day trip, or plan to eat at the snack bar at the South entrance. Bring
plenty of water and/or sports drinks, bathing suit, sunscreen, water shoes,
towel, hat if you wear one, clothes to change into for the ride home. Cost:
$5 per person at the park, plus tube rental ($5 for a tube, $10 for a raft).
Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322 More info on the web:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm
August 7, Saturday: OPEN
August 14, Saturday, 8:30 AM: AMELIA RIVER CRUISE, ST. MARY'S, GEORGIA:
We will take
a two-hour cruise from the historic waterfront and view Cumberland Island
and much of the Cumberland Sound area. While cruising we will learn about
the local history from a local history and nature expert. You will need to
purchase your cruise tickets two (2) weeks before the event by calling
877-264-9972. After the cruise we will eat lunch in one of the restaurants,
then explore the quaint Georgia town of St. Marys. Activity is limited to 49
participants. Bring water, snacks, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Cost:
$26 Adults, $24 Seniors (age 65 and up), plus money for lunch.
To
carpool/caravan, meet at the River City Shopping Center off I-95 near the
airport. Take I-95 North, exit at Duval Road East exit. Meet in the Ross's
parking lot. Let the leader know you are coming and be ready to leave at
8:30. Leader: Judy Mc 737-9451 (h) 707-2609 (c)
August 21, Saturday, 10:00 AM: SWIM/PICNIC AT BLUE SPRINGS PARK.
Spend a relaxing
afternoon cooling off on a hot summer’s day at beautiful Blue Springs Park,
which is out of High Springs , FL. It’s about1˝ – 2 hr drive from Jax. For
more information about what this marvelous park has to offer, check out
their web site:
http://www.bluespringspark.com. We will
swim, float out to the Santa Fe River, hike the nature trails, picnic, and
swim some more! Bring your picnic lunch (charcoal grills are available) or
buy lunch at the concession stand. Bring sun screen, bug spray, and plenty
of water. Cost for day use is $10/person. If you wish to camp, the camping
fee is $15/person/night (which includes use of the spring during the day!)
Leaders: Jeff P. 352-538-1938 and Sandy P. 904-955-4550
August 28, Saturday, 9:00 AM: BEACH WALK ON JACKSONVILLE BEACH:
Meeting Place: The
Lifeguard Station at the end of Beach Blvd at 1st Street South. We will take
a brisk walk about 2 - 3 miles south on the beach and meander back while
searching for shells and shark's teeth. Bring water, sunscreen, and
appropriate shoes. After the walk, join us for a picnic brunch on the beach.
Call for parking and brunch information. Leader: Paula S. 886-0404(h) or
588-2707(c)
September 3,4,5,6, Friday-Monday: CALLAWAY GARDENS, GEORGIA FOR LABOR DAY
WEEKEND:
Callaway Gardens is having a Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival on Labor Day
Weekend. It looks like a lot of fun! There is camping available at FD
Roosevelt State Park (GA). Reservations have all ready been made for 4
campsites (8 tents.) You may also make your own reservations as the sites
are filling up quickly.
We
also plan on visiting nearby Providence Canyon. Visitors are often amazed
when they visit “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon.” The massive gullies, as
deep as 150 feet, were caused by poor farming practices during the 1800s.
Hikers who explore the deepest canyons will usually find a thin layer of
water along the trail, indication of the water table below. Colorful
wildflowers, as well as the pink, orange, red and purple hues of the soft
canyon soil, make a beautiful natural painting at this unique park. The rare
Plumleaf Azalea grows only in this region and blooms during July and August
when most azaleas have lost their color. Visitors can enjoy views of the
canyons from the rim trail, and backpackers can stay overnight along the
backcountry trail. Cost- Camping fees and entrance into Callaway Gardens and
Providence Canyon. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750 Co- Leader- Diane J. 821-6707
For more information on the web:
http://www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/calendar/calendar.sky_high.event.aspx
http://www.gastateparks.org/info/fdr/
September 11, Saturday: HIKE – location to be determined.
Leader: (Mr.) Kim L.
645-5112
September 18, Saturday, 8:00 AM: JACKSONVILLE-BALDWIN BIKE TRAIL.
The trail starts
about 5 miles from downtown Jacksonville, taking I-295 to the Commonwealth
exit. Go north, turning right on Imeson Rd. The bike trail parking is on the
left. We’ll meet at the parking lot at 8 AM. The address is 1800 Imeson Rd.,
Jacksonville 32220
The
trail traverses a range of natural habitats that include pine flat woods,
wetlands and hardwood uplands. Songbirds, hawks, wild turkey, white-tailed
deer are frequently seen. A leafy canopy of oak, pine, maple and sumac
shades the trail, and in certain locations, on a sunny day, gives the
illusion of traveling in a tunnel.
The
trail also crosses McGirts Creek near Camp Milton, the longest continually
occupied Civil War encampment in Florida. Restroom facilities are available
at the trail’s midway point Camp Milton Historic Preserve.
There are benches about every mile and the road is mile marked. The whole
trail is 14.5 mi long, but we will turn off the trail after 13 miles in
Baldwin and ride to a small café and get drinks or you can order breakfast.
The café does NOT take credit cards, so bring cash. Call for any questions.
Leader: Monica H. 538-9399
September 25, Saturday: SANTA FE MOONLIGHT PADDLE. Leader: Earline V.
614-8629 e.veltman(at) comcast.net
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