ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

August 4th, Saturday 8:30am: KAYAK TO THE ZOO -- FREE ZOO ADMISSION!  Bring your own kayaks, no rentals are available for this trip.  We will meet at Hardee's on Merrill Road and 9A in Arlington at 8:30am, then drive to a nearby boat ramp on Heckscher Drive for a leisurely 1.6 mile paddle on the Trout River.  Zoo admission is free to anyone who arrives by water, and the zoo features many recent upgrades and improvements which are worth seeing.  This is mostly a "beginner" trip except possibly for the last 400 yards when we will have to cross a small open bay where winds sometimes cause choppy conditions which may require a slightly aggressive paddling technique to maintain stability.  (The current forecast is for mild wind, but...)  Then we'll paddle alongside the zoo's floating dock and disembark, a maneuver which involves good balance and/or help from a buddy if you want to avoid tipping.  This can be a bit tricky, so you may want to bring extra clothes in a dry bag just in case you get wet, or you can just tough it out if it's hot.  You should also bring a bicycle lock and cable so that you can secure your kayak to a dock cleat.  (Cable is better than chain, two locks are more flexible than having just one, and one cable usually will secure two kayaks.)  Lunch is on your own, but consider supporting the zoo concessions in appreciation of the free admission policy for aquanauts.  (They sell fairly decent mexican food, chicken, angus beef burgers, hot dogs, etc.)  We'll head back when we're all "zooed out" or if the weather starts looking too ominous for comfort.  Leader: Frank N. 708-4607. 

August 11th, Saturday, 10:30 am, TOUR OF CATTY SHACK RANCH:  You can get up close with lions, tigers, panthers and a white artic fox at this tour. Come on out and do something good by donating $10 each person (entrance fee) and help a good cause. The Catty Shack Ranch is dedicated the rescue and care of big cats. They provide sanctuary to cats confiscated by the state for illegal ownership, improper enclosures or maltreatment. They also educate the public to discourage illegal, private ownership. Wild animals, especially big cats, do not make good pets. The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary located in North Jacksonville. Check out their website: www.cattyshack.org. You can also join the Catty Shack Ranch in helping to save these beautiful animals by volunteering your resources. Meet at Hardees on Merrill Road (Right by 9A overpass) at 10.30 AM. Leader Heike M. 998-2312.

August 18th, Saturday, 8:30 am, ST. AUGUSTINE WALKING TOUR:  We will visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which is a fort built during the Spanish colonial period ($6 entrance fee) and the Spanish Quarter, a living history museum with people dressed as they would have been during colonial time, performing tasks of the time ($6.89 entrance fee).  We'll walk down historic St. George Street, which has shops in old buildings, and have lunch in a restaurant.  We'll be outside a lot, so wear sunscreen and bring water. Cost of the event, $12.89 plus money for lunch and parking. We will meet at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. - 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322

August 25th, Saturday, CAMPING/FLOATING/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 EAT!

FIRE BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED!  See http://www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/

Saturday a.m., we will take a 3-hr+ float down the Ichetucknee River (about $5).  Saturday night will be MORE food, fun etc. around the campfire.  On Sunday, 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.  We had a GREAT area back in 2005 but getting reservations in EARLY and not waiting until the last minute is imperative!!!!!  Listed is a link for the park trails and directions for those wishing to go on their own.  The General park web site 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, and 34 – same sites as last time. 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 and be close together!  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 anyone is interested in sharing a campsite, please let me know that as well. Leader: Karen B. 226-8364.

August 28th, Tuesday night, 7:00 PM - PLANNING MEETING AT PANERA'S ON HENDRICKS:  Please come help us plan the events for the next quarter. There is no planning committee; it's the members of this club that make it work.  Without you to plan events, we wouldn't be in existence.  . 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 October, November and December and we'll meet at 7 PM at Panera's Bread at 1615 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207, (904) 306-9600.  You don't have to eat there, but if enough of us eat (at least $30 worth) we will get their meeting room free. Leader: Earline V 998.4244 home 614.8629 cell

September 1st, Saturday,  PADDLE ON HAW CREEK:  We will meet at Haw Creek Preserve at 10:am. It takes 1-1/2 to 2 hrs from Jacksonville. Bring lunch. There is no shuttle for this trip so you must have your own boat (or borrow one).  We will probably go downstream to Dead Lake and then return to the put-in where there is a picnic area and restrooms. Eat a good breakfast and we will have a late lunch. Check the website below or just follow the directions which I copied from the website. Please let me know DEFINITELY if you will be coming. Take I-95, Get off on State Road 100 to Bunnell, Stay on 100 and turn left on 305, From 305 turn right on County Road 2006 (approx 7 miles from Bunnell), Turn left on County Road 2007 – It is an unpaved road but not bad – and go to the end, http://www.flaglerparks.com/hawcreek/directions.htm Leader: Earline V Home 998.4244 Cell 614.8629

September 5th, 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.

September 8th, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.  NATIVE AMERICAN POW WOW:  Please join us for this unique cultural experience!  We will meet at the McDonald’s on North Main Street near the intersection of Main Street and 9A on Jacksonville’s Northside (Oceanway). The Pow Wow will be at the Assembly Church of God nearby.  There will be arts & crafts, drum and dance competitions. Bring a chair for comfort, and sunblock.  Refreshments will be available at the festival. Leaders: Gene & Heike M.  PH:  998-2312. 

September 15th and 16th, Saturday and Sunday, CAMPING AND SWIMMING AT SALT SPRINGS:  We will spend the day at Salt Springs relaxing in the springs swimming and picnicking. We will camp Saturday night.  That evening, we will eat at the quaint family restaurant on site and explore the areas trails and other area of interest. Sunday morning breakfast will again at the neat eatery and some more relaxation in the springs. Bring any toys you want, bikes, canoes, kayaks etc. Bring picnic basket for lunch on Sat. swimsuits, suntan lotion, drinks, floats and balls to throw for swimming etc. See http://www.floridaparks.com/floridafederalparks/saltsprings.htm  or map on mapquest for directions and camping info:$17.36 a night for 2 tents to a site 4 days advance notice but first come first served Salt Springs Recreation 14151 N Highway 19, Salt Springs, 352-685-2048. We will LEAVE at 8:00 am Saturday from McDonalds in Orange Park on 17 across from Dog Track. Call me Kathy B. at 772-0790 to let me know you are going.

September 22nd, Saturday, 10am, Guana Environmental Education Center:  Come explore Guana Tolomato Matanzas Education Center and learn about the many functions of the coastal and estuarine ecosystem and the natural history of Northeast Florida. There is an exhibit hall, auditorium and aquariums. This is an active research and monitoring station tracking water quality, weather, and changes to our estuary. There is even a gift shop! Meet in the parking lot of this center. It is right next door to the Gate gas station on A1A in St Johns County, halfway between Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beach. Admission is $2 but bring extra money as we will go to Caps Restaurant for lunch! Leader: Stephanie M. 268-5569 or 502-1005.

September 29th, Saturday, 7:30 AM, MURALS OF PALATKA:  This is a walking tour featuring murals depicting the city’s cultural and historical resources painted on historic buildings throughout the town of Palatka.  One of the attractions featured is City Hall, a 1917 Romanesque Revival building with hand-painted murals depicting the city's history.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun block.  We will meet on US 17 at the McDonalds across from the Orange Park Dog Track.  For more info visit the website: http://www.conleemurals.org/CMC-NEWTourguide-1.html  Leader Heike M. 998-2312.
 

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, 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

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