If you did not sign up for these events or activities 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.

EACH TUESDAY – 5:30 PM - WALK THE BRIDGES:  Meet at the Chart House restaurant parking lot to be ready to walk at 5:30.  No need to call in advance.  Leader:  Judy M Home 398-2750

1st and 3rd SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH – 5:00 PM – HIKE UNF NATURE TRAILS:  Meet at the trailhead at 5:00.  No need to call in advance.  Leader:  John T  910-9417

2nd, 4th and 5th SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH – 5:00 PM – WALK AT THE BEACH:  Meet at the beach at the end of Beach Boulevard at 5:00 PM.  No need to call in advance.  Leader:  John T  910-9417

SATURDAY - JANUARY 17 - BIRDS AND BREAKFAST – GUANA RIVER STATE PARK:  This early morning walk is held at 8 a.m. at Guana Dam, 2690 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. The walk is followed by doughnuts and coffee. Meeting Time: before 8 AM!! Bring water and bug spray.  Leader: Heike M 998-2312 home.

SATURDAY - JANUARY 17 - BIKE RIDE:  Right after this leisurely walk John invites us to ride bikes at the Park, so bring your bikes if you’re interested!!!  Leader:  John T  910-9417

SUNDAY – JANUARY 18 – HIKE CASSADEGA – 9:30 AM:  The "Psychic Center of the World"  Home to some of America's finest psychics.  Cassadega is a turn of the 20th Century village.  A place that is out of the mainstream, a place to relax and get back in touch with yourself.  Join us, and spend a very enchanting time where you can feel those special ethereal vibrations emanate from the earth itself.  Don't be afraid, we will be with you.  Leave McDonalds on Philips Hwy at Avenues Mall at 9:30AM.   Leader:  Alex P Home 389-6555

SATURDAY – JANUARY 24 – SILVER RIVER PADDLE – 9:00 AM:  Experience one of Florida's premier paddling adventures.  Bring some snacks for the monkeys and the raccoons that wait for us on the river.  We will paddle up into Silver Springs and drift back with the current.  A wonderful time.  Leave Hardee’s on Lane Avenue at 9:00 AM.  Need a partner?  Call me. Leader:  Alex P.  H 389-6555 or ucp 'at' mac.com

SUNDAY – JANUARY 25 – 10:30 AM – SUWANEE RIVER HIKE: We will hike along the north shore of the Suwannee River looking down on it all the way.  About a 3-hour hike in the woods along the river made famous by Stephen Foster.   Not strenuous at all.  A fun hike with some exercise for our hearts.  Leave Hardee’s on Lane Avenue at    10:30AM   Leader: Alex 389-6555

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY – JANUARY 31 AND FEBRUARY 1 – 7:00 AM – BACKPACKING AT LAKE KISSIMMEE STATE PARK:  An experienced park ranger will lead a trip through some of Florida’s most beautiful back country.  It is 3.5 miles in and 3.5 miles out – A BEGINNER’S TRIP.  Ranger trips are always very interesting as we learn along the way.  Included in this trip is a Cow Camp where a cow hunter’s life is portrayed as it was in 1876.  Reservations are required.  5 spaces have been reserved and are being filled.  If you are interested, please call ASAP so additional spaces may be acquired.  You must be able to carry all of your equipment and must also carry food for 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, one dinner and snacks, plus water.  The cost will be announced at a later date.  Call  Marta W for reservations - Home 725-9521   Call Judy M for information on backpacking - Home 398-2750 Work 630-3897

WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 4 – 7:00 PM – GENERAL MEETING:  Meet at the Southeast Branch Library to discuss the past events, future events and other information. All members, new members and prospective members are encouraged to attend.  At 6 pm, prior to the meeting, some members meet at Bono’s restaurant on Gate Parkway, for dinner. After the meeting, all are encouraged to go to a local Restaurant for socializing, coffee, dessert, late dinner or a snack.  Call the Membership chairman for additional information.  Membership Chairman: Diane J - Home 821-6707

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 6 & 7 – MANATEE ENCOUNTER:  On Saturday, Feb. 7, we will go swimming with the Manatees in Crystal River (in the morning). It is an adventure you will never forget. We will travel down there on Friday night (Feb. the 6th). Please let me know as soon as possible how many people are going because of booking the hotel rooms and so on. Bring bathing suit, Pantyhose, warm clothes. Cost $50 per person + hotel room + gas ...(Wet suites and snorkel gear and support are provided).  Leader: Heike - 998-2312 home

SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 14 – 7:30 AM - BIKE THE GAINESVILLE TO HAWTHORN RAILS TO TRAILS:  This is a 16-mile trail through Paynes Prairie Preserve and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.  It is a paved trail with hills and curves.  We can stop at the Alachua Sink and visit with the alligators.  There is no cost and any type of bike will work for this trail.  We will leave from the Lane Avenue Hardee’s promptly at 7:30 AM to drive to the Gainesville start of the trail.  Leader:  Judy M Home 398-2750  Work 630-1212 x3897

SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 15 – 8:00 AM – PADDLE BLUE SPRINGS:  Meet at McDonalds on Phillips Highway at the Avenues Mall and be ready to leave at 8:00 AM.  We’ll paddle the springs which should be full of Manatee’s.  It will be a great day.  Bring Lunch, water, snacks, bug spray.  Dress for the weather.  Co-Leaders:  Mary M  737-0122 Home 733-2650 x262 Work  Earline V  Home 998-4244 Cell 614-8629

SATURDAY – FEBURARY 21 – PADDLE LITTLE TALBOT ISLAND:  We will paddle the salt marshes of Fort George Island for about 3 hours.  This trip is being led by a park ranger who will give interesting tidbits about the area and its habitats.  You may use your own boat or there are rentals available.  Reservations are required.    CALL:  Marta W for reservations - 725-9521 Home

SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 22 – 2:00 PM – HIKE ROOSEVELT PRESERVE:   In the Ft Caroline area.  We’ll hike to a view of the St. Johns River.  Meet at 2:00 PM at Hardee’s on Merrill Road.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.  Leader:  John T 910-9417

SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 28 – 8:00 AM – DeLEON SPRINGS STATE PARK:  We will cook our own pancakes, a tradition, on the built in griddles at the Old Spanish Mill.      We will paddle the river, canoe, kayak, float bikes or ride the guided pontoon boats.  A very lovely and relaxing river with lots of wildlife viewing.   They have a nature trail and a hiking trail if you're afraid of the water.   Afterwards, if you wish, we can go visit the world's largest cypress tree.     Leave McDonalds on Philips Hwy at the Avenues  Leader:  Alex P  389-6555 Home

WEDNESDAY – MARCH 3 – 7:00 PM – GENERAL MEETING:  Meet at the Southeast Branch Library to discuss the past events, future events and other information. All members, new members and prospective members are encouraged to attend.  At 6 pm, prior to the meeting, some members meet at Bono’s restaurant on Gate Parkway, for dinner. After the meeting, all are encouraged to go to a local Restaurant for socializing, coffee, dessert, late dinner or a snack.  Call the Membership chairman for additional information.  Membership Chairman: Diane J - Home 821-6707

FRIDAY – MARCH 5 – QUARTERLY PLANNING MEETING:  Details will be announced in the next newsletter and at the next monthly meeting.

SATURDAY – MARCH 6 – 6:30 PM – HAYRIDE:  We’ll do a hayride, bonfire, wiener and marshmallow roast.  Bring a covered dish and your drink.  The grill will be provided if you want to bring something to cook on it (other than the hot dogs that are provided.)  We’ll throw some horseshoes and CATCH A GREASED PIG!!  So bring some old clothes to wear to catch the pig.  Cost is $7.00 per person.   Westside Stables – off Normandy Blvd before Cecil Field.  3515 Alcoy Road.  Leader:  Kathy R – 745-9381

SATURDAY – MARCH 13 – RATTLESNAKE ROUNDUP:  Watch the next newsletter for details.  Leader – Gene M  998-2312 Home

SATURDAY – MARCH 20 – 7:00 AM - PADDLE THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP TO THE SUWANNEE RIVER:  We will launch our boats in the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen Foster State Park.  We will paddle approximately 5 miles and then portage the boats across the sill (dam).  We then will either paddle to route 441 or take out at Griffis Fish Camp.  You must have your own boat.  Park rentals cannot be used for this trip.  We will leave at 7:00 AM from Hardee’s on Lane Avenue.  It is approximately 2 hours to Stephen Foster State Park.  Bring lunch, snacks and water. Leader – Judy M Home 398-2750

SATURDAY – MARCH 27 – 8:00 AM - GUM SLOUGH PADDLE:  An exciting trip not for the faint of heart. This is a spring run emptying into the Withlacoochee River.   We paddle up to the spring, have lunch (we bring), and then begin the adventure.  How did we get in here?  How do we get out of here?  Did anyone bring a GPS, sextant, compass or topographical map?  Where are we?  We can't be lost, we just paddled in here a little bit ago!  Maybe we should have left a trail of bread crumbs.  If you're getting scared, maybe you should bring a cell phone to call your mommy.  Maybe we should have planned this trip for Halloween or Friday the 13th.  Oh, come on, join us!  We will leave from Hardee’s on Lane Avenue at 8:00AM.   Leader:  Alex P. Home 389-6555  Work 630-7551

PLAN AHEAD FOR THIS EVENT IN MAY:
CAMPING AT KEY WEST 2 NIGHTS – HOTEL 1 NIGHT:  Leader:  Mary M 737-0122 Home 733-2650 x262 Work

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2004 - General Meeting at the Library on Gate Parkway.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004 - General Meeting at the Library on Gate Parkway.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2004 - General Meeting at the Library on Gate Parkway.
 

MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Public Library at Gate Parkway off of 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.