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March 16th – 18Th, 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
Saturday. Return after dinner to camp. Too often St. Patrick’s 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 17th, 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 17th.
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 24th, 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 a 3 mile
hike or 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 31ST – April 1st, Saturday, PADDLING THE
WITHACOOCHEE
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
Suwannee
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 the
Suwannee
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
Suwannee
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 4th, 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 on past events and highlights of upcoming events. There will be
door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.
April 7th, Saturday – OPEN:
April 8th, Sunday – EASTER
SUNRISE SERVICE AT THE BEACH AND
BREAKFAST:
Need a Leader.
April 13th, 14th, and 15th,
Friday and Saturday night, CAMPING AT FAVER-DYKES AND PADDLE:
Fayer-Dykes
is a pristine, tranquil park that borders Pellicer Creek as it winds along
Florida's east coast highways down to the
Matanzas
River. (http://www.floridastateparks.org/faver-dykes/default.cfm
) The park is also home to deer, turkeys, hawks, bobcats, and river otters.
Fishing, picnicking, and nature walks are popular activities. Pellicer Creek
is a designated state canoe trail. On Saturday, we will paddle up the creek
to Princess Place Preserve (http://www.flaglerparks.com/princess/preserve.htm
) where we will hike and explore this Flagler county park. Bring your boat,
fishing gear, camping gear and boots. There are canoe rentals at the park.
Campsites rent for $15.26 a night. You can split a site or share a tent.
Leader:
Diane J. 821-6707.
April 21st and 22nd, Saturday night and Sunday, CAMPING AT OCEAN
POND:
We will have
a relaxing camping trip at the Landing, a private group site at Ocean Pond.
Bring your camping gear, your boat, your bike and your fishing pole,
whatever you want to do. The Landing has its own beach so we can swim,
suntan and launch boats. Earline V. will conduct a paddle clinic at The
Landing on Sat, April 21 beginning at
9:30 a.m. The clinic is
recommended for beginning paddlers and also a good “brush-up” course for
experienced paddlers. If you are coming out just for the clinic and are not
camping, remember to pack a lunch, bring water, suntan lotion, bug spray!
Jeff has reserved and paid ($50.00/a night) for the camp site for the two
nights and the cost will be split among the attendees. We plan a group meal
Saturday night.
Sandy
has a big birthday that weekend so come celebrate. Call for directions.
Camping Trip Leaders: Jeff P 352-538-1938 and
Sandy P. 904-955-4550. Paddle
Clinic Leader: Earline V. 998-4244.
April 28th, Saturday, 8:00 am, PAINT
THE TOWN:
Sidetrackers will join other volunteer teams to paint a house in the
Magnolia
Garden neighborhood of
Jacksonville. The homes usually
belong to older citizens who can’t afford to have repairs and painting done
on their homes. All participants get a free t-shirt and lunch. Bring a
willing heart and a strong back. Meet location to be announced. Leader: Judy
M. hm. 398-2750, wk. 630-1212x3897
May 2nd , 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 on past events and highlights of upcoming events. There will be
door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.
May 5th,
Saturday, 8:30 am, BIKING ON THE JAX./BALDWIN TRAIL TO
CAMP
MILTON:
We
will bike the Baldwin Trail to Camp Milton Historic Preserve, approx. 5
miles. The preserve acquired significance during the American Civil War when
8,000 troops arrived at the site in March of 1864 to provide a first line of
defense against the Union forces in
Jacksonville. It is named for
John Milton the Governor during the Civil War. Bring a bike, water, snacks
and lunch. We will meet in the parking lot for the trailhead. Direction are
take I-10 west to I-295, go north on I-295 to Commonwealth, turn left at the
light, go 2 miles and turn right, after the Postal Bulk Mail Center onto
Imeson Road. The parking lot will be on your left. Leader: Carm G. 343-3019.
May 6th, Sunday, 8:30 am, SHRIMP BOAT FESTIVAL IN
FERNANDINA:
Walk the streets and enjoy
the sunshine at the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival! There will be 300
vendors selling Arts & Crafts and Antiques. And of course there will be
shrimp and seafood to eat! Meet at Denny's at 8:30am (I-95 & Duval
Rd-Airport Exit) where we will carpool to
Fernandina
Beach. Please be on
time as the earlier we get there, the closer we can park. Be sure to bring
some money to help with parking fees, food and to maybe bring home a
treasure for yourself! Leader Stephanie M. 268-5569.
May 12th,
Saturday, PADDLING:
We
will be launching for the Ribault Club boat launch on beautiful
Ft.
George
Island. We will paddle
north from there and return. Leader: Bob H. 866-1375.
May 19th,
Saturday, HORSE FARM VISIT:
We
will tour the retired horse farm in Alachua where abused horses, old police
horse, etc. go to live out their remaining years. The couple who owns and
operates the facility do so at no financial benefit to themselves. It is
interesting to walk the rolling hills and see and feed the horses. Cost of
admission to the horse farm is a bag of carrots. Bring your lunch,
comfortable shoes, bug spray and water. We will have lunch in Jeff’s
backyard and homemade lemonade and a salad will be provided. Meet location
to be announced later. Leader: Jeff P.
386-462-4918 and Sandy P. 955-4550.
May 20th, Sunday, 8:00 am,
OKEFENOKEE SWAMP TRIP:
Come
spend the day hiking in the
Okefenokee Swamp! The ride up takes about
1 hour and we will meet at Hardees on Lane Avenue at 8 am SHARP! Please
come early to have breakfast. Entrance fee is $5 per
car. Pack a lunch, as we will stop during the day for a picnic (no
alligators allowed!!!). Be sure to bring WATER, BUG SPRAY, SUN SCREEN and
your camera to take pictures of wildlife. The park has many hiking
trails, one of which is 3/4 mile boardwalk deep into the refuge. “The
mysterious
Okefenokee Swamp has long been the source
of myth, lore and legend. The land of the "trembling earth", as the Indians
called it, is a vast 700 square mile wilderness of grasslands, wetlands,
lakes and peat bog islands anchored by towering cypress trees growing from
still, dark water. The Okefenokee's diverse natural environments and teeming
wildlife have dominated the infrequent efforts of humans to tame it."
Leader: Karen B. (904-226-8364).
May 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
CAMPING TRIP:
We are
going camping at
Ochlocknee
River
State Park located south of
Tallahassee, 4 miles south of
Sopchoppy,
FL.
FL.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ochlockoneeriver/ There is a lot of fun
stuff to do in the area: paddling on the Sopchoppy River or the Wakulla
River or the Ochlocknee River, biking at the
Tallahassee-St.
Marks Historic Railroad Trail and
St. Marks National
Wildlife Refuge., hiking at
Tallahassee-St.
Marks Historic Railroad State Trail,
Wakulla Springs
State Park,
Florida National Scenic Trail.
Wildlife viewing is
outstanding. Wakulla Springs is one of the largest and deepest freshwater
springs in the world. Campsite rent for $15.00 plus tax a night.
You can split a site or share a tent. Bring your boat, camping gear, and
your bike. Leaders: Diane J. 821-6707 and Yanella P. 366-3520.
June 2nd,
Saturday, 7:00 am, BIKE RIDE ON THE GAINESVILLE/HAWTHORN TRAIL;
This is a beautiful bike ride through Paynes Prairie Preserve. It is 16
miles one way through a picturesque area and does have hills, a unique thing
in
Florida. You can ride the whole
trail or as much as you want. Bring snacks and water and a bike. We will
leave from the Hardees on Lane Ave. to drive to the Hawthorn trailhead at
7:00 am. . Leader: Judy M. hm. 398-2750.
June 6th , 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 on past events and highlights of upcoming events. There will be
door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.
June 3rd, Sunday, 4:00 pm, PLANNING MEETING:
Mark your
calendar NOW! Watch the newsletter. Karen B. will be our hostess for this
meeting.
June 9th,
Saturday, 8:00 am, SUWANNE RIVER PADDLE:
“Way down upon the
Suwannee
River” Come see what
the singing is all about. We will paddle part of the beautiful
Suwannee
River. Bring your own
boat or rent one though the outfitters we will use as a shuttle. Bring water
and lunch and a good singing voice. We will meet at the Hardees on Lane Ave.
and caravan from there. Distance and the part of the river we paddle will be
determined by the water level.
Leader: Diane J. 821-6707.
June 10th,
Sunday, 11:00 am, HIKING AT UNF TRAILS:
We hike
the trails at UNF and have lunch at Five Guys! We will meet in
Lot 100 on the campus of UNF (use St. Johns
Bluff Entrance). From there we will hike around
Lake
Oneida. Following the
hike, we will meet for lunch at Five Guys, which is next to the new Publix
at
St. Johns
Town
Center - just a short
drive. Leader: Karen Betteridge (904-226-8364)
June 16th,
Saturday, SNORKEL AT SILVER GLEN:
Leader: Bob H. 866-1375.
June 23rd, Saturday, 7:00 am,
HIKING THEODORE
ROOSEVELT PRESERVE:
Our hike
will start at the trail head along the Willie Brown trail to the bird
watching tower in Round Marsh. We will continue along the Timucan trail to
Alligator Pond then east on the Spanish Pond trail back to the Willie Brown
trail. There is no cost for the hike. Bring water, bug spray and binoculars.
Wear comfortable shoes. We will meet at Hardees on north side of
Merrill Rd. just east of
the 9A overpass. Leader: Sam K. 625-1097.
June 30th
Saturday, OPEN:
July 4th, ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY COOKOUT:
Information coming soon.
July 11th, Wednesday 6:30 pm,
MONTHLY MEETING:
Not the first Wednesday of the
Month!
We will meet at the
Southeast Regional Public Library at
Gate Parkway off of
J. Turner Butler Blvd. for
a discussion on past events and highlights of upcoming events. There will be
door prizes, refreshments and a speaker once a quarter.
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