L O N G - R A N G E   A C T I V I T I E S
Mark Your Calendar NOW!

May 3, Saturday, 9:00 AM - SAINT SIMONS ISLAND BIKE RIDE: Join Judy Mac on a bike ride through beautiful St. Simons Island. We will meet in North Jacksonville in the new shopping center near the airport, specific location to be announced later, where we will carpool to St. Simons Island.  We will bike the island stopping when we see something interesting to investigate, and then have dinner at one of the many restaurants.  Bring your bike, or rent one on the island.  Leader: Judy Mac 737-9451
For more information on the web:
http://www.gacoast.com/ and http://www.stsimonsislandexperience.com/

May 4, Sunday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM - FIRST ANNUAL SIDETRACKERS OUTDOOR OPEN SOCIAL AT JACKSONVILLE’S TILLIE K. FOWLER REGIONAL PARK (FORMERLY WESTSIDE REGIONAL PARK): Bring a single friend, relative, co-worker, acquaintance, or any single person who would enjoy our outdoor group to our Annual Open Outdoor Social at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park (formerly the Westside Regional Park), 7000 Roosevelt Blvd., (across from the Naval Air Station at Jacksonville (NAS Jax).

The purpose of the social is to introduce our group to prospective members and encourage membership. Afternoon appetizers and soft drinks (no alcohol is permitted in City Parks), outdoor games, hiking, and fun provided.  Please pick up flyers and distribute them.  Please come and be there for the club!!  For flyers and more information, contact leader. Leader: Kathy B. 772-0790
For the official park web site and more info on the web click here.  (This URL is too long to display.)

May 10, Saturday, 7:15 AM - ORIENTEERING IN OCALA NATIONAL FOREST, SHOCKLEY RANCH (NEAR PAISLEY, FL): Meet at Panera Bread in Mandarin.  Orienteering is a recreational and competitive sport, a kind of hiking/running game, which involves using a detailed map, and a compass, to find your way through unfamiliar terrain. You can participate in groups, or individuals may compete alone, although going alone is not recommended for first-timers.  Each team is given a starting time.  The final time for each team is recorded when they complete the course.  The objective is to visit a series of designated locations, indicated by circles on the map.  At each location a marker, a distinctive white & orange flag called a control, will be placed in a visible location. Each control has a patterned punch, which you use to mark your card.  There are multiple levels of difficulty at this event, the easiest includes some off-the-trail areas, the more difficult levels are mostly away from any developed trails.  Since some of us are experienced and some have never done this before, we will be purchasing different maps, and working in different teams.  If you wish to go, please review “About Us“, “Tutorial“, and “Policies (Emergency Rules and Procedures)” at http://floridaorienteering.org/ 

Equipment Needed:  Orienteering compass which can be acquired at local sporting goods stores or internet; comfortable sneakers; light clothing appropriate for hiking in the woods (long sleeves and pants to protect skin from scratching is best); sun screen; bug spray; whistle

Food Needed:   Water, snacks    

Cost:  Team fee is approximately $6 and includes one map.  Each team member should have a map -- the cost is approx $2.00 for each additional map.

Directions to Meeting Place:  Panera Bread:  13820 Saint Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258  (off I-95 just South of I-295). For those coming from Jacksonville,
1. Take I-95 South
2. Take EXIT 335 toward ST AUGUSTINE RD. 0.4 miles
3. Turn LEFT onto ST AUGUSTINE RD.        1.1 miles (approx)
4. Panera Bread is past Bartram Park Blvd. on the left in a large strip mall near Kohl’s 

Leader: Renee R.  894-7555

May 17, Saturday, 8:00 AM - JULINGTON CREEK PADDLE: Julington Creek is one of our rivers preserved from development and is close by. It is very scenic and quiet at this time of the year.  This is a “bring your own boat” trip.  If you don’t have a boat, ask around, someone will probably loan you theirs, or you can rent from All Wet Sports.  Bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, gear, etc. We may do lunch at Clark’s. We will meet at the new boat ramp on St. Augustine Road and Julington Creek. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707. 

May 18, Sunday Afternoon - PLANNING MEETING: This is where the decisions of what activities the club will do are made.  While some organizations have planning committees, at Sidetrackers, we all contribute.  The planning meetings occur once per quarter.  We will be planning for July, August, and September.
Are you a member but haven‘t been to a planning meeting yet? Although one must be a member in good standing in order to lead an activity, prospective members are encouraged to attend the planning meeting, too.  Have some vague ideas of an activity you’d like to try, but no real specifics?  Don’t want to lead an event alone?  Ask around - members enjoy brainstorming, and are very willing to co-lead an activity.  Or, do you know exactly what kind of outdoor event you‘d like to see happen?  Either way, come join us!   Details on meeting time and location to follow.  Leader: Judy Mac 737-9451

May 23, 24, 25, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL, WHITE SPRINGS:  Come to the Florida Folk Festival.  Before May 12th, tickets are $20 for one day and $40 for the entire festival; after May 12th, tickets are $25 for one day and $50 for the entire festival.  I am in search of campsites and need a head count. It is a wonderful, leisurely way to spend a weekend close to home with excellent music and other entertainment.  If campsites cannot be obtained, the trip may be just a day trip on Saturday.  Last year it was just a day trip, but the weekend really makes it a special event.  Let me know ASAP if you are interested in going.  Leader: Marta W. 725-9521  For more information on the web: www.floridastateparks.org/folkfest

June 6, 7, 8, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - CAMPING AT HONTOON ISLAND STATE PARK PLUS BLUE SPRINGS STATE PARK VISIT: Hontoon Island, in the St. Johns River in Volusia County, near Deland, has an unusual set-up.  Instead of driving to the campsite, you drive to the end of the road, put your gear on the boat dock, and wave at the park personnel across the river who come ferry you across, free of charge.  Then, everything goes in the park van and gets delivered to the campsite.  There is no ferry service at night: last trip is an hour before sunset.  If you can‘t come by late afternoon Friday, join us on Saturday.  It’s not completely primitive - there are bathrooms and hot showers at the campground.  When you’re ready to leave the island, just ask the rangers, who will then ferry you back.  Bring raccoon-proof gear to store your food, and put sleeping bags, etc. in plastic bags to keep them from getting muddy on the boat deck.  Rental canoes and tandem kayaks are available on the island, and there is a beaching area (not near the campsite) for those who have their own.  This information per the rangers and website - I haven’t been there, but have been wanting to go for a long time.

On Saturday we can go our different directions. Some may wish to stay around Hontoon exploring the peaceful island and waters.  Others may wish to drive to popular Blue Springs State Park ($5.00 per vehicle entry fee.)  June is off-season, so it won’t be as crowded as during winter.  Scuba divers (not me), here is your chance to dive with other club members. Scuba-divers must register at the entrance station between the hours of 8 AM and 3PM, with an up-to-date certification card and a partner.  In addition to scuba diving,  possible activities at Blue Springs include a two hour narrated nature and ecological cruise ($20), swimming and snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing (rentals available), and hiking and birding.  After Blue Springs we’ll return to our quiet refuge on Hontoon Island.  Campsites at Hontoon Island are available at this moment, but I need to make reservations.  Please let me know right away if you want to join me in this adventure.  Cost: $12 plus tax per night per campsite.  Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322
For more information on the web:  http://www.floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland/
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/Activities.cfm and http://www.sjrivercruises.com/

June 14, 15, Saturday and Sunday CAMPING AT OCEAN POND SATURDAY, PADDLE CLINIC SUNDAY: Pending date confirmation, we will camp Saturday, and hold a paddle clinic for canoes and kayaks.  This clinic will be helpful to both those who are unfamiliar with paddling, and those who are experienced but want to hone their skills.  Details to follow.  Leader: Earline V. 998-4244. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/recreation/index_osc.shtml

Mid-June, exact date to be announced: SUNSET- MOONRISE FROM THE TOP OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE and DINNER: Lighthouse special tour. We will climb to the top of the lighthouse where we will be served refreshments. We will see beautiful scenery for miles plus the sunset and the moonrise. The cost is $25.00 per person and must be paid to me early.  The maximum number of participants is 20. Directions: Cross the Bridge of Lions and go 1.4 miles, turn left onto Red Cox Road and go 0.2 miles. The lighthouse is on the left side of the street. Details will be in the next Newsletter.  Leaders: Ray 610-9400 & Sheila 220-4480. http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/ 

June 21, Saturday, 7:30 AM - SANTA FE PADDLE: We are going to do a leisurely paddle down the scenic Santa Fe River. We used to do it every year but haven’t in a while.  It is a 5 hour paddle trip and it takes about an hour and a half to get to the Canoe Outpost.  Rentals (kayaks and canoes) are available and you might want to call to reserve a boat. There will be a cost for the shuttle service for those who bring their own boats.  Bring lunch, snacks, water, sun block, bug spray, etc.  We will meet and leave from the Hardees’s on Lane Avenue. Leader: Diane J, 821-6707. 
For more information on the web: http://www.santaferiver.com/ and
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/santa_fe_river.htm .

Late August through Labor Day, September 1 - AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK, GEORGIA, AND THE LEN FOOTE HIKE-INN (NORTH GEORGIA): This trip would include Labor Day Weekend; starting say, Thursday, August 21st, going until Monday, September 1st.  Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the greatest in Georgia - centrally located amidst many attractions and hiking opportunities, including the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. We would camp at Amicalola Falls except for one night when we would hike 5 miles to the Len Foote Hike-Inn lodge ($70) to spend the night (2 bunk beds to a room); family style hearty dinner and hot breakfast included.  The Hike-Inn trip involves exercise, great views and a challenge.  The only way to reach the Inn is by hiking there.  At present there are enough campsites open in the State Park, while at the Inn there are 19 rooms available Friday, August 29th and 7 on August 30th. I have not checked, but there may be a group site we could use Thursday, August 28th. Let me know ASAP if you are interested in going.  Leader: Marta W. 725-9521
For more information on the web:
http://www.hike-inn.com and http://www.gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/

Keep an eye on this space for more information about long-range plans for future trips and activities.
Remember also that our club is run by our members, and planning meetings are an essential part of
planning what we do, where we go, and on what dates.  Everyone is welcome at planning meetings.