ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

JULY 9^TH, SUNDAY, 6:00 AM, TUBING ON THE ICTETUCKNEE RIVER:  We tube from the north end on the river passed the mid-point to the end of the park. Shuttles will take us back to our cars. Bring lunch, sunscreen and towel. We will rent tubes outside the park. We will meet at Hardees on Lane Ave. Leader: Denise R. 241-4319/463-0535.

JULY 15^TH, SATURDAY, 7:00 AM, BIKING AT THE BALDWIN TRAIL:  We are going to bike on the Jacksonville to Baldwin bike trail. It is a 30 miles round trip but you can ride as far as you like and turn around. It is an easy ride and any type bike can be used on the ride. Directions to the meeting place/trail head are take I-10 to I-295 north to Commonwealth Ave. to Imeson Blvd. turn right. The trail head is about a half a mile on the left. Bring snacks, water and you bike. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750.

JULY 15 & 16TH, SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 1:00 PM, CAMPING, BOATING, HIKING, & POSSIBLE KAYAKING:  Meet at the Country House at 1:00 PM. We will leave the country house at 2:00 PM for our Saturday afternoon activities. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at 6 pm. Bring a covered dish of vegetables or dessert and your personal beverage. We will set up tents at this time. After dinner we will go to the dock on the St John’s river for a beautiful sunset. Sunday morning you may prepare your breakfast or walk as a group to the golf club house for breakfast (1 ½  blocks). After breakfast, we will go out on the pontoon boat and runabout boat (we have 8 spots left on the boats).You will need to bring lunch & beverage for the boat ride. The destination will be a group decision. Bring swim suits, sunscreen, water, bug spray and any other items you will need for a day at the river & hiking. Bring your kayaks if you wish. Co-Leaders: Ray & Sheila H 220-4480 Hm or 610-9400 Ray's Cell. Country House Phone # is 386-467-7369 PLEASE RSVP BY JULY 13. DIRECTIONS: Country House, 107 Golf Course Lane, (Fruitland), Cresent City, Fl 32112. Go south on I-95 to highway 207, right on hwy 207 to US 17, left on US 17 to Hwy 309 (at Sasuma), turn right on hwy 309 to Fairway Lane (Fruitland, past River Park subdivision), turn left on Fairway Lane to the last house on Left (white with Blue trim}.

JULY 22^ND, SATURDAY, 7:00 AM, PADDLING ON THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER:  This is a self paced paddle down the scenic Withlacoochee river near the GA border.   This is a very unique stretch of water considering how close it is to Jacksonville.  This river features strange rock formations and water-carved limestone that could easily be in the mountains.
We will meet at the Hardees on Lane Ave.  at 7:00 a.m.  The sooner we leave, the better off we’ll be considering the summer heat (bring water). The drive will take about two hours with pit stops etc.  This is moderately long trip (just under 10 miles) so bring plenty on water, bug spray, snacks, LUNCH and sunscreen.
Rentals are sparse, but available.  Please let me know if you need equipment so that I can make arrangements.  We will meet at Hardees on Lane Ave. Leader: Gene M. 742-9394(cell) or  998-2312.

AUGUST 2^ND, 6:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, MONTHLY MEETING  We will meet at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. for a report on last month’s events and highlights next month’s events.  All members and prospective members are invited to attend. At 5:00 pm, prior to the meeting, some members meet at Bono’s restaurant on Gate Parkway, for dinner. After the meeting, we move to a local Restaurant for socializing, coffee, dessert, late dinner or a snack.

AUGUST 5^TH, SATURDAY, 7:00 AM, HIKE AT TIMUCUAN TRAIL HIKE:  We will hike the Timucuan trail which is a part of the Theodore Roosevelt Area. There are several trails available to choose from. Afterwards, we may have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Bring water, snacks. We will meet at Hardee’s at Merrill Rd. and 9A. Leader: Gene M. 998-2312.

AUGUST 12^th , SATURDAY, 6:30 AM, BIKE RIDE ON JEKYLL ISLAND:  This is a leisure ride and any type bike will do. We will be meeting at Denny’s at the airport exit. Leader: Marta 635-7170.

AUGUST 19^TH, SATURDAY, 7:30 AM, FLY A KITE DAY:  Come on out and enjoy a wonderful day on the beach!!!  Bring your own kite and let ‘er rip!  Flying a kite is like bringing back your childhood memories. Bring your own kite, water, sunscreen and beach toys.
We will meet for breakfast around 7:30 am at the Village Inn on 3rd Street just south of Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach.  Let’s have some fun!  Leader: Heike M.  998-2312.

AUGUST 27^TH,SUNDAY, 4:00 PM, PLANNING MEETING:  The activities listed in this newsletter are planned and organized by members of Sidetrackers, there is no planning committee. If there is something you want to do and want someone to do it with, check out, pick a date, fill out the Activity Write up sheet and bring it to the planning meeting. We will be planning for October, November and December. We will be doing a cook out at Nancy N. house so bring a dish to share, hamburgers and brat will be provided. Bring a folding chair and what you want to drink. Call Nancy for directions (Arlington), 553-2805.

SEPTEMBER 2^ND thru 4^th , SATURDAY, LABOR DAY WEEKEND: CAMPING TRIP IN THE WORKS

SEPTEMBER 9^TH, SATURDAY, 8:00AM, KINGSLEY PLANTATION HIKE:  We will be hiking and swimming at Black Rock Beach. Bring a lunch and water/drinks. Leader: Bob H. 241-4341, 866-1375.

SEPTEMBER 23^RD  AND 24^TH , SATURDAY, SUWANNE RIVER PADDLE AND CAMPING TRIP:  We will be paddle down the Suwanne River, camping over night and paddle to the take out location. Meeting place and time to be determined. Leaders: Jeff and Sandy 955-4550 and Earline. 998-4244 h 614-8629 c.
 

NOVEMBER 2^nd thru the 5^th, THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, CAMPING TRIP TO DAVIDSON RIVER NEAR BREVARD, N.C.:  Back by popular demand, this is a fun-filled action packed camping trip right in the middle of glorious fall foliage. There are several beautiful hiking trails, falls, and many things to see right in Pisgah National Forest.  We'll have plenty of activities to choose from including visits to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, the fish hatchery, Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center, Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and the Biltmore House.  The Saturday (Nov. 4^th) we are there will be the first weekend that the Biltmore House is decorated for Christmas. There is a charge to explore the house so you will need to make reservations (www.biltmore.com).  There are also hiking trails right inside the campground and we always have a good time around the campfire.  Enjoy 3 nights on prime camping sites for the low, low price of $32.50 per tent.  Find a warm buddy to share your tent and save $$$!  I have 18 spots reserved and already have them filled so contact me to make arrangements for more. All money must be turned in by the August 2^nd Sidetrackers meeting or you will forfeit your site.  If anyone wants to come after this date you will have to make your own reservations.  Don't delay - the campground fills up fast.  More info to follow... Diane K. (904) 545-5087 or email dianekolpacki (at) bellsouth.net.

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

2006 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, August 2, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 6, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 4, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 1, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 6, 2006 – 6:30 PM

The SIDETRACKERS Newsletter
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The SIDETRACKERS Web Site
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