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July 17th, Sunday, 8:00 a.m. PADDLE CLINIC:
This clinic is for all paddlers – canoeists and kayakers. We will leave
Hardee’s on Lane Avenue promptly at 8:00 so if you want to eat there, please
arrive early enough to get your food and be ready to leave at 8:00. We will
caravan to Ocean Pond, which is a natural 1,760-acre lake located near
Olustee in the Osceola Forest. We have found Sunday morning to be a great
time to be there for a clinic like this. Wear your bathing suit, bring a
picnic lunch and change of clothes. And don’t forget the sunscreen and bug
spray. This will be a fun time and a great learning experience. There will
be demonstrations of paddle strokes as well as how to get into your boat in
the middle of the lake and on shore. We will also show how to tie some
convenient knots. Don’t miss this informative and fun day. Be sure to let
one of us know if you will be able to attend - and bring your boat. If you
don’t have a boat or have never paddled, that’s OK – come anyway. There will
be plenty of boats there for everyone to give it a try. We all had to start
from the beginning. Leaders: hm. Earline V. 998-4244 cell 614-8629 and John
G. cell 502-5610.
July 21st, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. – SUNSET-MOONRISE FROM THE TOP OF THE
ST AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE and 6:00 PM DINNER AT HARRY’S:
We will meet at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille, 46 Avenida Menendez, Saint
Augustine, FL 32084 (904-824-7765) for dinner. If you do not want dinner, we
will meet you at the St. Augustine Lighthouse at 7:30 PM for a special tour.
We will climb to the top of the lighthouse where we will be served
champagne, apple juice, fruit, dessert munchies, etc. We will see beautiful
scenery for miles plus the sunset at 8:25 p.m. and the moonrise at 9:09 p.m.
The cost is $15.00 per person and must be paid to me by Saturday, July 15TH.
The maximum number of participants is 30. Directions: Cross the Bridge of
Lions and go 1.4 miles, turn left onto Red Cox Road and go 0.2 miles. The
lighthouse is on the left side of the street. Leaders: Ray 610-9400 & Sheila
220-4480.
July 23rd, Saturday, KAYAK LOFTON CREEK:
The kayak trip to Ecofina has been changed to a day trip to Lofton creek in
Nassau county. We will meet at the Denny's at the airport (just off of
I-95) at 8:00a.m. on July 23rd and then drive to the boat ramp at Lofton
creek between Yulee and Fernandina. This is a rural creek with plenty of
scenic beauty and not too challenging for beginners. Afterward, we can
catch a midday meal at one of the local restaurants. Don't forget snacks,
water, sunscreen and bug spray. All are welcome!!! There are no rentals
available, sorry! Please let me know if you are interested so that I can get
an idea of how many to expect. Call trip leader Gene
at 998-2312 (home) or at 742-6898 (cell.)
July 29th, Friday night, 6:15 p.m. SUNS BASEBALL GAME:
Tickets are $10.50 per person in the Home Plate Box area. If you want to sit
with the group, send me a check payable to Ray Holland in the amount of
$10.50 on or before 7-11-05. I will purchase good seats in advance. Meet at
the Baseball Park front gate at 6:15 p.m. Come out, enjoy the night air,
have a hot dog, popcorn, see a great ballgame and fireworks after the game.
These games are a lot of fun. If you decide later to come to the game, you
can buy your ticket at the ticket office. Your seat may not be close to the
group. This is a Fifty-cent Family Feast- Fifty-cent hot dog, peanuts and
ice cream treats. Sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream, Hampton Farms, KOOL
100.7 and Folio Weekly. Leaders Ray at 610-9400 Cell or Sheila at 220-4480.
July 30th, Saturday, 7:30 a.m. Cumberland Island National Seashore
Hike:
Call Leader for reservations. We will meet at Hardees on Merrill Road at
7:30 am. Bring a Cap/hat to cover head, insect repellant, and all water and
snacks/lunch you will want during the day - nothing can be purchased on the
island. Leader: Marta Winters at 725-9521.
August 3rd, Wednesday, Monthly Meeting At Regency Library, 7 p.m.
August 6th, Saturday 10:00 a.m. VISIT THE JACKSONVILLE ZOO, THEN TOUR
ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY:
Let’s check out the new Range of the Jaguar, the Birds of Rift Valley
Aviary in the Australian Adventure where you can be amongst the 72 birds of
20 different species and feed them nectar, and the new Giraffe Overlook and
Savanna Blooms. We will meet at the entrance to the Jacksonville Zoo at
10:00 AM. Gate admission is $9.50 ($8.00 senior) and the military and AAA
gets a 10% discount. Zoo Train Rides are $4.00 - or combination tickets are
$12.50 ($11.00 senior) Driving Directions: From I - 95 North or South take
exit number 358A to Heckscher Drive East. Entrance to the Zoo will be on the
right. From the Napoleon Bonapart Broward (Dames Point) Bridge or 9A, take
exit Heckscher Drive West. Entrance to the Zoo will be on the left. After we
have spent a few hours at the zoo we will travel on down the road to 111
Busch Drive to the Busch Brewery. We will take a 30-minute guided tour (last
one is at 3:00) to get step-by-step instruction on the beer brewing process
- and get a small sampling of the products they produce =;^). Cost for this
is FREE!!! Co-leaders: Earline V 998-4244 h 614-8629 c and Paul K
352-473-5171.
August 7th, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. KAYAKING AT ANASTASIA PARK:
Beginners welcome. This is an easy trip along the intercoastal out of
Anastasia Park in St. Augustine. Be prepared to be on the water about 2-4
hours. We may see some wildlife like porpoise or possibly some locals. Bring
lunch, water, sunscreen, a poncho and your canoe or kayak if you have one.
If not, kayak rentals are available for $25 for 2 hours or 1/2 day @ $40.
However, I may be able to negotiate with the kayak vendor to get a discount
if we have more than a few renting. Weather and tides permitting, it would
be nice to get on a sandy bank, have lunch and go for a leisurely swim. We
can also go swimming at the beach afterwards if there's interest in getting
wet some more! Directions: I-95 South to Exit 311 (State Road 207 towards
St. Augustine), Right off of 207 on to 312 and go over the 312 Bridge, Left
on A1A, Anastasia Park is on the right hand side, Go through the park
entrance ($5 per car), Kayak rental is on the left side. Leader: Pat T.
262-1428. Day of event cell phone 904-704-8638.
August 13th, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. SNORKELING AT SALT SPRINGS:
We will snorkel and swim in the natural springs of Salt Springs. http://www.saltspringscampground.com
. Bring mask and snorkel, fins if you want, sunscreen and water. We will
cook hamburger or eat at the springs. Meet at the McDonald's on US 17 across
from the Dog Track in beautiful downtown Orange Park. Leader: Bob H.
241-4341, cell 866-1375.
August 14th, Sunday, 5:30 p.m. URBAN HIKE THROUGH RIVERSIDE:
We will hike through the historic Riverside area followed by dinner at
Al’s Pizza. Meet at the Riverside Publix at the corner of Margaret St. and
Riverside Ave. Leaders: Terry A. 874-0163, Katie D (904) 388-2551.
August 19th, 20th, 21st,
CAMPING/FLOATING/BIKING/HIKING AT O'LENO STATE PARK:
We will be heading to O'Leno State Park - planning to meet at the Hardee's
on Lane Avenue at 6 PM on Friday night. We will car pool to O'Leno State
Park. It's about a 1.5 hour drive, which should give us plenty of time to
set up camp and get some grub on! Saturday a.m., we will take a 3-hr+ float
down the Ichetucknee River (about $5). Saturday night will be food, fun etc.
around the campfire. On Sunday, t those of you who bring bikes are welcome
to enjoy biking and those of us not so inclined to bike can hike one of
their trails. There are no group camping places here so it seems the best
way to handle reservations is to do this EARLY and NOT wait until the last
minute. Campsites are $15 each BUT 2 tents can be put on each site -
only 2 cars per site as well. Listed is a link for the park trails and
directions for those wishing to go on their own. Also the General park
web site, which has park fee info. We will camp in the Dogwood Area
campground. In looking at the campsite map, the following sites are TENT
sites: 32, 33, 34. They are available as of TODAY and would mean a MAXIMUM
of 6 tents. I can't stress enough the need to BOOK EARLY so we can all get
IN! They have a nice link to book online. If you would let me know what site
you will be on, I can help guide others. If any one is interested in sharing
a campsite, please let the leader know. Leader: Karen B. 226-8364.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/oleno_state.htm
http://www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/default.cfm
August 27th, Saturday, 7:30 a.m. BLACK CREEK RAVINES HIKE:
We will hike the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. This is a
965-acre conservation area in Clay County with elevations for 5 feet to 90
feet above sea level. We will hike along the wetlands and ravines and view a
variety of plants and wildlife. Meet at the McDonald's on US 17 across from
the Dog Track. Directions to the conservation area: South on Blanding Blvd.
toward Middleburg, left on hwy. 218 pass the Black Ravines Country Club. At
the intersection of Green Rd., Thunder Rd. and Hwy 218, turn left on Green
Rd. Go all the way to the end for parking and the hiking trails. http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide/pdfs/blackcrk.pdf
Leaders: Gene and Heike M. 998-2312.
Sept. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Labor
Day weekend, WHITE WATER RAFTING, CAMPING AND HIKING:
In an informal survey, the Nantahala River won hands down over 3
or 4 others in the S.E. for fun and scenery. Those who choose not to raft
may rent individual Ducks to shoot the river. The campground location has
not been decided, but recommendations will be welcome. Research will be done
for campgrounds considering location and facilities. Details will follow,
but those interested please express their interest, as September will be
here soon. Leader: Marta Winters at 725-952.
September 7th, Wednesday, Monthly Meeting At Regency Library, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10th, Saturday, SCHOONER GHOST TOUR
IN ST. AUGUSTINE:
Come sail with us aboard the Freedom Schooner along the Intercoastal to
watch the sunset and the scenery. This is a 2 hour tour from 6:15 pm to 8:15
pm including cheese and crackers, snacks, soda, beer or wine. The cost is
$35.00. We will meet at McDonalds on Philips Hwy across from the Avenue's
Mall at 4:45 pm. The Freedom is docked at the Municipal Marina in St.
Augustine, Fl. 904-810-1010. Leader: Kathy D. 519-0691.
Sept. 11th, Sunday, QUARTERLY PLANNING MEETING:
Since it's going to be HOT, we can meet at my house in the A/C. Bring a
dish to share and ideas for events. Anyone who'd like to coordinate an event
with a more seasoned member will also be welcome. Chicken, salad and drinks
will be provided. We will plan activities for October, November and
December, which is the holiday season so we can think about a few
Halloweenie, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve events along with the
normal fare of hiking, biking and kayaking. Afterwards, we can walk to the
pool and go swimming so bring your bathing suit, sunscreen and towel. Please
call for directions and let me know if you're coming, as I'll need headcount
for the chicken, etc. Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.
Sept. 17th, Saturday, 8:00 p.m. MOONLIGHT PADDLE: Earline will
be leading a paddle on one of Jacksonville’s beautiful rivers in the
(almost) full moon. These are fun and different trips so plan on joining us.
Place and time and more information will be in the next newsletter. Leader:
Earline V. 998-4244 h 614-8629 c
Sept. 24th Saturday, 9:00 a.m. HIKE A NEW TRAIL FROM LITTLE TALBOT
ISLAND: This is a new trail just opened up. It is about 3 miles long
but soon it will go for Little Talbot Island to Amelia Island. More
information to follow. Leader: Earline V. 998-4244 h 614-8629 c
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L O N G R A N G E A C T I V I T I E S
Mark Your Calendar NOW! |
October 20th through 23rd ANNUAL
LEAF-LOOKING TRIP:
This year we are going to Table Rock State Park in Pickens, S.C. on
the South Carolina/Georgia border. We will be hiking to see all the colors
of the fall leaves and the great views, camping and exploring this state
park and other in the area. Bring you boots, camping gear and meals. There
is half a site/one tent still available from the original four that were
reserved. To make reservation call 1-866-345-PARK or online through Reserve
America. Check with the leader for sites already reserved if you want to
stay near the rest of the group. Make your reservation soon because they
fill up this time of year. Web site: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=350.
Leader: Diane J. 821-6707. |
