ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

December 15th Saturday, Bike ride on Jekyll Island:  We will meet at Panera Bread on Atlantic (near Southside Connector) around 10:00 A. M. with departure at 10:30. We will have lunch at Zachary’s (a local seafood restaurant) on arrival. Bike rentals at nearby mini-golf center for those who need a bike. A ride around the island and a visit to the historic district is planned. This may include optional visits to the new Turtle Center and the church with a real Tiffany (signed by Mr. Tiffany) window. Christmas lights will come on at dusk. Sunset at 5:30 PM. Lunch is priced at $6-$8. Bike rental is $8.00 for 4 hrs or $5.25 for 1 hr. Turtle Center is $6.00 for those who want to visit. Travel time is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Leader Mary Jane 651-2201. http://www.jekyllisland.com/activities/biking.asp 

December 16th, Sunday, 6:00 pm – RIVERSIDE- AVONDALE LUMINARIES WALK:  Get in the mood for Christmas with this walk through Jacksonville’s historic Avondale and Riverside neighborhoods for the annual luminaries display.  There is more than 36,000 luminaries line the streets. It’s a really festive atmosphere.  For those who wish, join us for dinner at the European Street Cafe at 5:00 PM.  We’ll start our walk at 6:00 PM. Leader: Marsha C. Phone: 744-6322.

December 31st thru January 1st. Monday and Tuesday - ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE AT HANNA PARK: Join us for our annual New Year’s Eve camping trip to Hanna Park for a potluck dinner. We will have a campfire, hike along the nature trail by moonlight and be on the beach at midnight, where we will be able to view the fireworks from Jax beach and Mayport. Camping is free at the group site for those who do not wish to drive home that night. Come out early Monday afternoon, help Diane J. pick up trash which pays for our stay on the site, set up your tent, enjoy hiking, a campfire and have dinner around 6:30 PM. We will be at the primitive group camping site at the north end. You can park at the camping site to unload, and then park in the parking lot. Facilities are within walking distance. Bring a homemade specialty or pick something up at the store. Hanna Park is near the entrance to Mayport Naval Station and at the end of Wonderwood Drive. At the gate tell them you are with Sidetrackers and get directions to the group primitive camping area. This is a members only or member’s guest only event.

January 2, 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.

January 4, Friday 5:00 PM - St. Augustine Art Walk:  We meet, we walk, we talk, all the while enjoying some interesting art up and down King Street and some of the side streets. And yes, most of the galleries offer some refreshments. There may be some who would like to carpool down and will meet at 5:00 PM in the McDonald's parking lot across from the Avenues Mall. Others may wish to meet on King Street near the Winery; if so, call 904-635-7170 (cell phone), and we will tell you exactly where we are. Leader: Marta W. 725-9521.

January 12, 9:00 AM - PADDLE AT DUTTON ISLAND:  Dutton Island is a Preservation Project site in Atlantic Beach near the Intracoastal Waterway. It is an easy paddle and has to be coordinated with the tides. We will paddle the canoe trail set up by the city of Atlantic Beach for a couple hours. Bring your own boat and a lunch. Bring water, bug spray and sunscreen. Boats can be rented from All Wets Sports. The park is located off of Mayport Road on Dutton Island Rd., north of Atlantic Blvd. We will meet at the parking lot for the launch site.  Click here for the City of Jacksonville's web page about this park.  Leader Diane J. 821-6707.

January 19th, 20th, 21st - MLK WEEKEND CUMBERLAND ISLAND SEA CAMP CAMPING TRIP:  We will enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring Cumberland Island in the cool, bug-free January weather.  We have a good group of 12 reserved so far but there are no more spots available.  We are starting a waiting list in case someone cancels.  If a spot frees up, the ferry fee is $17 and the camping fee is $4 a night so the total cost for camping and the ferry is $25. You will be responsible for your meals. The ferry makes two trips a day, one at 9am and one at 11:45am. We’ll be taking the 9:00 am trip. Call Diane K. (904) 871-1677 to get on the waiting list.

January 26, Saturday, Time to be determined - Hike Suwannee River or the southern section of Guana River:  This hike will either be along a beautiful section of the Suwannee River or the southern section of Guana which goes by the Intracoastal Waterway -- it is always a very pretty hike. The choice will depend on whether or not we have a Florida Trail member who will accompany us - a requirement of the Suwannee section. The time will also depend on which hike we take; so, hang loose. I assure you that it will be a great morning, etc. Leader: Marta W. 725-9521.

January 27, Sunday 2:00 PM – PADDLE TROUT CREEK:  Meet at the park to the left of US 13 South just south of the bridge over Trout Creek. We will put in at the park. This is a short paddle and there is not a shuttle, so come and enjoy a beautiful day on the river. Let me know if you plan on attending so I know who to wait for if necessary. And please try to be there on time, because of daylight ending early, we would like to get on and off the river before dark. Leader: Earline V. Home 998-4244 Cell 614-8629 email e.veltman at comcast.net.

February 2, Saturday 7:00 AM - Hike to Hidden Pond, Ocala National Forest:  We will do a hike to Hidden Pond on the Florida Trail at Juniper Springs. It is a six (6) mile hike one way to the pond. You can hike all or part of the trip. Good practice for the Gate River Run. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. We will leave from the McDonald’s in Orange Park at 7:00 AM. Come early if you want breakfast. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750.

February 6, 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.

February 10, Sunday 2:00 PM - HIKE UNF NATURE TRAILS:  Meet at the University of North Florida, UNF Drive, parking lot 100 for an afternoon hike.  http://www.unf.edu/recsports/nature/  Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322

February 15, 16, 17, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - CAMPING/PADDLING IN MOSQUITO LAGOON:  Friday morning, we will drive down to Canaveral National Seashore and paddle over to one of the remote islands and set up camp. Friday afternoon and Saturday, we will explore other islands nearby. Sunday, we will paddle back to the ranger’s station and head home. This is a primitive camping trip and you need to get all your gear in your boat. More information coming soon. http://www.nps.gov/cana Leaders Diane J. 821-6707 and Judy M.

February 24TH, Sunday, 3:00 PM - PLANNING MEETING IN THE PARK:  Come help us plan the events for the next quarter. There is no planning committee; it is 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 April, May and June. We will meet in one of the city’s parks, plan and explore the park.  Leader Diane J. 821-6707.

March 1, Saturday - FISH FRY AND CAMPING AT JEFF’S:  Jeff will be frying delicious fish in his beautiful backyard. Come out for the day and eat, or pitch your tent in his five acre site. Bring a dish to share, bug spray, and your beverage of choice. Hot dogs will be available for those who don’t eat fish. If you get to Jeff’s early Saturday morning, we can tour the antique shops in High Springs. You MUST RSVP. Email RSVP to SJPlance ’at’ slokker.us. Directions will be sent after RSVP is received. Cost: $3.00 contribution for the fish/hot dogs. Leaders: Jeff P. 386-462-4918 and Sandy P. 955-4550.

March 8, Saturday - Gathering time TBA; Race Begins at 8:30 AM. Walk the River Run:  Join a Sidetrackers contingent to walk the River Run route. Go to www.gate-riverrun.com to find the registration form or register online. The website also has locations to pick up a form. There is a 15k and a 5k route. The entry fee is a range depending on the length and when you register. Until 12/31/07 the fee is $25 and $20 and goes up to $35 and $25 on 3/1/08. Plan to gather at the starting point and let the leader know you are coming. Leader: Mary Jane J. Cell 651-2201

March 15, 16, 17, Friday Night, Saturday and Sunday - CAMPING AT TOMOKA RIVER STATE PARK:  Come down Friday night, camp Friday and Saturday night. Saturday morning we will hike at nearby Bulow Creek Park and in the afternoon paddle the Tomoka River. Canoe rentals are available in the park. Sunday morning, we will probably hike some of the short trails in the park. If you are interested in going, let me know, I am going to make reservations for three sites (6 tents), when those are filled, you are on your own. The Daytona Beach area is real busy that time of the year and camp grounds fill up quick. http://www.floridastateparks.org/tomoka/default.cfm and http://www.floridastateparks.org/bulowcreek/default.cfm  Leader Diane J. 821-6707.

March 23, Sunday - EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE:  Attend Easter Sunrise Service at the beach, then have breakfast. Details to be announced.  Leader: Nancy N.

March 29, Saturday, 10:00 AM - BUTTERFLY RAINFOREST EXHIBIT, OR PLANET WALK (OR BOTH), GAINESVILLE:  Tour the interesting butterfly garden at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida. The exhibit “… is a four-story, outdoor screened enclosure with waterfalls, a walking trail… and hundreds of live butterflies“. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/ If the weather is rainy or overcast, we will walk down 8th Avenue for the “Planet Walk”. Cost for the butterfly exhibit: $8.50, plus or minus. We’ll go to lunch afterward. Bring cameras! RSVP for directions.  Leaders: Jeff P. 386-462-4918 and Sandy P. 955-4550.
 

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

2008 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, January 2, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, February 6, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, June 4, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 2, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 6, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 3, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 1, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 5, 2008 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 3, 2008 – 6:30 PM

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