ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

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, 9:00 A.M. - HIKE THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF GUANA RIVER STATE PARK: The park is officially designed as part of Florida’s statewide system of Greenways and Trails. This hike will begin at the Guana Dam and continue on the unpaved trail through the woods till we reach the southern point and the Intracoastal Waterway at which time we will stop to enjoy the view and your snack(s) before heading for the return trail -- it is a very pretty hike; in fact it may be the best within a 30 or 50 mile radius. We will meet at the dam off AIA at 9:00 A.M. Bring water, snacks and insect repellant. There is a $3 park admission. If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please call Marta. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/_guana_river.htm 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.  Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322
http://www.unf.edu/recsports/nature/

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: We will be planning for April, May and June. We need your help in planning events/activities for Sidetrackers. 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 are going to picnic at Castaway Island Preserve. Bring a dish to share. We will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Bring a chair and your choice of beverage. Castaway Island Preserve is located just north of Beach Blvd. on San Pablo Road . For more on the park, check out the city web site by clicking HERE. 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 14, 15, 16, 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, 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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