ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

October 15^th, Saturday, 7:30 – PADDLE AT 6 MILE CREEK:  We will paddle the creek in the (almost) full moon. There are no rentals available but you maybe able to borrow one check the leader, There maybe a small launching fee. Bring water, bug spray and flashlight. Directions: Take Hwy. 13 south (San Jose in Jax.) to 6 mile creek and Outback Crab Shack. Leader: Earline V. hm. 998-4244, cell 614-8629.

October 20^th through 23^rd  - ANNUAL LEAF LOOKING CAMPING 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 others in the area. Bring your boots, camping gear and meals. To make reservations call 1-866-345-PARK. Check with the leader for information on sites already reserved if you want to stay near the rest of the group or someone may have canceled.  Web site: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=350. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707, Co-leader: Judy M. 398-2750.

October 29^th, Saturday, 7:00 pm. - HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY AND DANCE:  We will have a Traditional Halloween Party and Pot Luck dinner. Costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be given for the best ghost story. Wear shoes you can dance in. You are going to be in for the scariest time of your life. Location: 416 Oceanwood Drive, Neptune Beach, Florida Leader: Bob H. 241-4341, cell 866-1375. Co-leader: Heike M. 998-2312.

October 31^st  Monday, 6:30 pm. - MONSTER WALK:  We will walk on the new sidewalk along the side of the St. Johns River to the Landing. Costume is optional. We will meet at the parking lot beneath the Fuller Warren bridge and Riverside Ave. Leader: John T. 910-9417.

November 2^nd, Wednesday 6:30 pm, MONTHLY MEETING:  We will be back at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. and at a new time.

November 6^th, 8:00, Sunday – BIKE BALDWIN TRAIL:  This is a nice trail, great for all types of bike and levels. Come join us for a spin. Bring bike, snack and water. We will meet at the Hardee’s on Lane Ave. Leaders: Vicky A. 880-4434 and Pat T. 262-1428.

November 12^th, Saturday, CAMPING AND PIG ROAST AT BLUE SPRINGS:  Blue Springs offers a variety of activities, exploring the springs by kayak or canoe, hiking trails or dipping into the 72 degree water. There will also be volleyball or croquet. The pig eating will start at 4:00. If you are just coming for just the day or the pig roast, you have to be out of the park by 6:00 or they will charge you as a camper. So come early and enjoy the park. Bring a dish to share. Camping is $12.00 a night. Arrive anytime on Sat., stay over night and plan to go to the Butterfly Rainforest the next day. YOU NEED TO RESERVE YOUR PIECE OF THE PIG WITH THE LEADER BEFORE NOV. 9TH. Leaders: Jeff P. 386-462-4918 and Ray H. 610-9400.

November 13^th, Sunday, BUTTERFLY RAIN FOREST IN GAINESVILLE:  Weather permitting; we will visit the Natural Museum of History in Gainesville to the Butterfly Rainforest Exhibit. Admission is $7.50. Call the leader the morning of the trip to check for update on weather and meeting location. Leaders: Sandy P. 955-4550 and Jeff P. 386-462-4918.

November 19^th, Saturday, 1:00 pm SHARP, A-MAIZE/CORN SPECTACULAR AND HILLBILLY OLYMPICS:  GET LOST IN MAIZE. Imagine being plunked into a field of cornstalks towering 12 feet high. Everywhere you turn; it’s a sea of green and down right corn-fusing. Some take 20 min.; some take 2 hours, come out and enjoy a fall day. http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=flhilliard  Bring comfortable shoes, snacks and water. We will meet at Hardee’s at Merrill Rd. and 9A. Leaders: John T. 910-9417 and Heike M. 998-2312.

November 27^th, 3:00 pm, Sunday - QUARTERLY PLANNING MEETING:  Our activities are planned by our members. There is no planning committee. If you have something you want to do and want other to do it with you, come to the meeting. We will be planning events for Jan., Feb. and March. Bring your ideas for activities, pick a date and put it on the calendar. We will meet in one of the city’s wonderful parks. More details at the monthly meeting. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707.

November 24^th, Thursday, THANKSGIVING DINNER AT EARLINE’S HOUSE:  Leader: Earline 998-4244.

November 26^th, 6:30, Saturday, – CHRISTMAS PARADE OF BOATS:  We will walk on the Riverwalk along the river and watch the Parade of boats. The largest Christmas tree in Florida can be seen across the river at the Landing. There will be a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the parade. We will meet in front of MOSH (on Prudential Drive) on the south side of the river. Leader: Kathy D. 519-0691.

December 2^nd thru 4^th Friday night to Sunday morning, FT. CLINCH CAMPING TRIP:  This is a great state park that is close to home and full of activities. This weekend there are Civil War Fort Garrisons and candlelight viewing where volunteers join park rangers to re-create life in the fort during the War Between the States. These living historians take up duty in the infirmary, blacksmith shop, jail, laundry, and kitchen. Activities include black powder artillery demonstrations, marching drills, and blacksmith demonstrations. There is nature walks on the beach and at Willow Pond on Sat. morning. They have campfire program on Sat. night for camper with topics varying from park animals to campfire cooking. Bring your bike, your boat and your camping gear and meals. We will be camping Friday and Sat. night. Cost is $24.00 for the two nights. Come up Friday when you can. The gate locks at sunset so call the leader if you are coming in after dark. Leaders: Diane J. 821-6707 and Diane K. 861-8238.

December 3^rd, Saturday, ST. AUGUSTINE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND GRANDE ILLUMINATION:
Parade starts at 10:00 am. Grande Illumination starts at 8 pm. It will be a fun day in St. Augustine. Join us for breakfast before the parade at 9:00 am. Call the leaders for information. Join us for pizza before the grand illumination at 5:00 pm. at the Hilton Bayfront, 32 Avenida Mennendez where the leaders will be staying. Please call ahead to get on the list for pizza. You may attend one or both events. Check out the web site www.visitoldcity.com Leaders Ray H. and Sheila H. 610-9400. 

December 7^th, Wednesday 6:30 pm, MONTHLY MEETING:  We will meet at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. for a discussion of past events and highlights of upcoming events.

December 10^th, Saturday, WALKING TOUR OF BED AND BREAKFASTS IN FERNANDINA BEACH:  Leader: Kathy D. 519-0691.

December 11^th, Sunday, PADDLE AT BLUE SPRINGS AND HIKE:  Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.

December 17^th, Saturday, 6:00 - ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY:  Leader: Kathy D. 519-0691.

December 18^th, Sunday, LUMINARIES IN AVONDALE:  Leader: Heike M. 998-2312.

December 24^th, Saturday, CHRISTMAS EVE WALK THE BRIDGES/DINNER:  Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.

December 25^th, Sunday, CHRISTMAS DAY WALK MANDARIN PARK:  Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.

December 25^th, Sunday, CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER:  Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.

December 31^st , Saturday, ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE AT HANNA PARK:  Leader: Ray H. 610-9400 (cell) 220-4480 (home)

January 1^st , Sunday, HIKE AT UNF TRAILS:  Leader: Pat T. 262-1428.
 

MANATEE ENCOUNTER: Come swim with the manatees. Day, time and information coming soon. Leader: Heike M. 998-2312

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

2005 Monthly Meeting Schedule
MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
at the Regency Branch Public Library.  Subscribers to our free YahooGroups email list
service receive an automatic reminder message in their email two days before the meeting.

WEDNESDAY, November 2, 2005 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 7, 2005 – 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 '@' to foil automated spam robots.