ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

February 17^th, Saturday, 11:00 am, HIKE JENNINGS STATE FOREST in MIDDLEBURG  Meet at the McDonalds on US 17 across from the Dog Track in Orange Park at 11:00 AM.  This is a pretty hike through some unspoiled land.  If you wish to join us just show up at McDonalds with your hiking shoes, water and snacks.  Leader: Judy M Home 398-2750. 

February 23^rd – 25^th, Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, CAMPING AT OCEAN POND:  We will have a good ole fashion Red Neck Camping Trip. There will be tons to do; fishing, walking the trails, off road biking, maybe a poker game, a camp fire, a cast iron pot cooking contest and a swap meet. Bring your boat, your bike, your fishing pole, whatever you want to do and your camping gear. Bring bug spray, meals for the weekend, snacks and water. Cost depends on how many show up. Jeff has paid for the camp site and we will split the cost on how many show up. Meeting place and time will be announced later. Leader: Jeff P. 386-462-4918 and Sandy P. 955-4550.

March 3^rd, Saturday, 8:00 am, BIKING AT DAYTONA BEACH: We will be biking on the beach at Daytona Beach. We will meet at leave at the McDonald’s on Phillips Highway across from the Avenues Mall at 8:00. Come earlier if you want to eat before we leave. Bring your own bike and water. Leader John G. 910-1469.

March 4th, Sunday, 3:00 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 it out, pick a date, fill out the Activity Write up sheet and bring it to the planning meeting. We will be planning for April, May and June. We will be doing a cook out at Judy M. house so bring a dish to share, hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Bring a folding chair and what you want to drink. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750 (hm.) Call for directions and to let her know you are coming.

March 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. There will be door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.

March 10^th, OPEN

March 16^th – 18^Th, ST. PATRICKS DAY CELEBRATION AND CAMPING IN SAVANNAH:  We will be camping at Skidaway Island State Park, east of Savannah, GA. Drive only six miles to downtown Savannah for the parade on Thursday. Return after dinner to camp.  Too often St. Patricks Day falls during the week - now we have a weekend to enjoy the parade, festivities and Savannah itself.  If you cannot join us for the weekend, you may want to come up for the parade on the 17th.   Departure will be from Denny's at the Airport Rd. exit off I-95.  The time will be decided by those who sign up for the trip.  
Leader:  Marta 725-9521.

March 17^th, Saturday, 8:00 am, ST. JOHNS RIVER CLEANUP:  If you wish to participate in the St. John’s River cleanup please meet at the Goodby’s Creek boat ramp at 8:00 AM on Saturday, March 17^th. Canoes or kayaks are needed to pick up trash on the waterway.  Some land cleanup is available. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.  Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Participants will receive a free T-shirt and lunch at Metropolitan Park after the clean up. Leader: Judy, 398-2750 (H)

March 24^th, Saturday, 8:30 am, HIKING AND EXPLORING GUANA: Explore this barrier island with known historical sites and encounter wildlife in their natural habitat along the way! It is believed that Guana River was the site of Ponce de Leon's first landing in Florida. This will be at least a 3 mile hike and more if the group is feeling up to it. (The park has 8.5 miles of unpaved trails.) Bring your lunch and plenty to drink as we will eat somewhere along the trails. You may even want to bring your binoculars as we will stop at the Wildlife Management Area overlooks. Meet in the parking lot of the Gate Station, 2700 Ponte Vedra Blvd (A1A N in St Johns County). From there the park is next door and we can decide who wants to drive into the park. It is $3 per vehicle.  Leader Stephanie M. 268-5569

March 31^ST – April 1^st, Saturday, PADDLING THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER:  We will travel to scenic North Central Florida to take advantage of one of the most interesting and scenic rivers in Florida.  The Northern Withlacoochee river is a unique waterway featuring rock formations and rapids (whee!).  We will paddle from just below Madison Blue Springs on Hwy 6 down to the Suwanee River State Park.  Due to the unpredictable nature of the water levels, this may not be the best trip for beginners. 

Plan A includes us traveling to theSuwanee River State Park on Saturday, camping overnight and paddling Sunday morning before heading back.  If the water level is too low, we may have to regroup and do a section of the Suwanee River instead.  We will decide this as the event approaches, so please have an open mind in the arrangements!  Leader Gene M. 998-2312

April 4^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. There will be door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.
 

There are no long-range activities on the calendar at this time.
Keep an eye on this space for future announcements.

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

2007 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, March 7, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 5, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 3, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 7, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 5, 2006 – 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...
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