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September/October Newsletter
A condensed events and activities list can be found on our CALENDAR page.
Some trips and activities are spotlighted on our MAJOR EVENTS page.
Trip Leaders: Email your trip and activity write-ups to Newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.
Are you interested in becoming a Sidetrackers member?
Visit the Membership page on this web site, or send an Email message
to our Membership Chairperson at Membership 'at' sidetrackers.com.
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General Participation Guidelines Additional
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September 14, 28 and October 5, Sundays, 6:00 PM: WALK THE DOWNTOWN BRIDGES: The Bridge Walks are to help those people who are signed up for the Fall Trip to Standing Indian Campground to get in shape for hiking in the mountains in October. Since there are no real hills in Jacksonville, the Acosta and Main Street Bridges will have to suffice. Meet at 6:00 PM in the parking lot under the Acosta Bridge (it is too hot to walk at 4 PM). This is the parking lot next to the boat ramp at the River City Brewing Company. Leader: Judy M. 398-2750 Home, 630-1212 x 3897 Work. September 20, Saturday, 8:00 AM: LOFTON CREEK PADDLE: Lofton Creek, located outside of Yulee, is a beautiful canopied waterway surrounded by maple and cypress trees. At the turn-around point of the paddle is "the Cypress Tree" which soars upward over 150 feet towards the sky. This paddle, besides its beauty, has two definite pluses: (1) short distance from Jacksonville; thus saves gas -- and (2) paddle takes only 2 or 3 hours; thus, only takes up part of a day. After the paddle, after a bite to eat, we can drive just a short distance and walk along Fernandina Beach --the best beach in the area for shelling. We will meet at Hardees on Merrill Road at 8:00 AM. Leader: Marta W, 725-9521. September 21, Sunday, 8:00 AM: KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS GAINESVILLE FL: Kanapaha is a non-profit 62 acre educational facility that opened in 1987. There is a gift shop that offers specimens of many plants displayed in the gardens. Meet at Hardees on Lane Avenue for carpooling. We will visit the gardens and have a meal at a local restaurant. The gardens open a 9:00 AM. Admission is $6.00, plus cost of meal. Leader: Mary Jane 651-2201 www.kanapaha.org September 27, Saturday, 8:30 AM: HIKING AT RAVINE GARDENS: A ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. Johns River. In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. To give you an idea of the size of the park, there is a 1.8 mile paved road through the gardens. We will be hiking the trails. Cost is $4.00 per vehicle. We will meet at the McDonald’s in Orange Park across from the dog track on US-17, and carpool to Ravine State Park. Leader: Barbara G, 816-223-8822, Co-Leader Peter S, 904-806-2351. http://www.floridastateparks.org/RAVINEGARDENS/default.cfm October 4, Saturday, 9:00 AM: FORT CLINCH RE-ENACTMENT AND HIKE, AMELIA ISLAND: Fort Clinch was a Union Garrison during the Civil War. On the first full weekend of each month, living historians recreate life during “The War Between the States”. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. When we’re finished touring the fort, we’ll go for a hike on the hiking trails. Afterwards we’ll drive to town for a meal. Meet to carpool at the Hardee’s on Merrill Road by 9A. Cost: $5 per car plus $3 per person fort admission, plus cost of meal. Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322 www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch October 9 - 13,
Thursday through Monday, FALL TRIP TO STANDING INDIAN CAMPGROUND NEAR
FRANKLIN, NC: This year's Fall Trip will be to Standing Indian
Campground at the headwaters of the Nantahala River near Franklin, North
Carolina. A group site for up to 25 people has been reserved. There is no
electricity at the site. This is a beautiful area that I discovered while
hiking on the Appalachian Trail which is nearby. The trails are easy to
moderate. Rafting trips are available at the Nantahala Outdoor Center if
anyone is interested. Please respond via email if you are interested in
participating in this activity. Details for the activities will be decided
at a later date. Leader: Judy M. jmalcomb’at’comcast.net, 398-2750 For more
information on the web: October 25th Saturday, 8:00 A.M. MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS HISTORIC STATE PARK, HAWTHORNE, FL: The home is on Cross Creek that connects Lochloosa Lake and Orange Lake. A park ranger in period costume will guide a tour of the house. This trip will also include a 30 minute self guided walk on the grounds of the homestead. Parking is $2.00 per car and $3.00 per person, plus cost of meal. Eating will be a the Yearling Restaurant that is very near to park and may include musical entertainment by Willy Green, a blues musician who often performs there. Meet at Hardees on Lane Avenue for carpooling. Leader: Mary Jane 651-2201 www.FloridaStateParks.org October 31 - November 2, Friday through Sunday: HALLOWEEN CAMPOUT AT CAMP CHOWENWAW, GREEN COVE SPRINGS: We will meet at the Camp around 5:30 Friday evening. I was unable to get the tree houses this year because they were already booked. So I have reserved 7 cabins that sleep 8 each. I know we won’t have that many, so the ones who come will share the expense. This way we have the entire Squirrel Campsite and won’t have to share the fire ring or dining hall with anyone. There are warm showers close by. If we have 12 campers, cost of each will be $14 for the two nights. Of course, if more come, the cost will go down. We will have a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest, so come prepared to “dress up” and bring a pumpkin (of any size) to carve. There is a swimming pool there and the cost to use that is $3.00. There is also a canoe launch, so bring your boat if you have one and we’ll do a paddle on Saturday on Black Creek. There is a walking trail, a wooded hiking trail and a boardwalk to the pier. If you fish, bring your equipment because there is a place for that also. ADDRESS: 3557 Highway 17, Green Cove Springs. It is the first right turn off of 17 headed south, just after you cross the bridge. If you can’t spend both nights, at least come out one, or just for the party. I need reservations no later than Sunday October 26th. Leader: Earline V 998-4244 home 614-8629 cell, e.veltman (at) comcast.net. November 8th
Saturday, 9:00 A.M. HIKING AT THEODORE ROOSEVELT AREA: Come join us and
hike this area located in the Fort Caroline area. There are a variety of
habitats including maritime hammocks, scrub vegetation, freshwater swamp and
salt marsh. Mounds of oyster shells left over from 1000 years of
pre-Columbian and Timucuan Indians can be seen. This is also a great birding
opportunity. We will meet in the parking lot at the Timucuan Preserve
Visitor Center off Fort Caroline Rd. There we will shuttle to the Timucuan
Preserve Trailhead Parking as parking is limited. Bring water, sunscreen,
insect repellent and any food you may want as we may be on the trail for a
couple hours. See web site for directions. Leader: Stephanie M. 268-5569
home 502-1005 cell November 15, Saturday: BIG SHOALS (WHITE SPRINGS) HIKE: Leaders: Cheryl G 786-390-9358 and Judy M 398-2750 November 21, 22, 23, Friday night to Sunday: CAMPING AT CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK, GEORGIA: Before the hustle and bustle of the holidays starts, come join us for a camping and paddling trip. We will be camping Friday and Saturday night and paddling on the Crooked River and in the salt marshes on Sat. The park is 40 miles/52 mins. from Jacksonville and the gate and office are open until 10:00 so plan to come up Friday night and spend the weekend. More information to come. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707. http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=39&s=0.0.1.5 November 29, Saturday, 6:00 PM: DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE, JACKSONVILLE: The annual boat parade features local boats decorated for Christmas. They are fun and colorful to watch. After the parade there is a spectacular fireworks show. This is probably the best fireworks show that Jacksonville presents. Meet at the River City Brewing Company, on the back deck, 835 Museum Circle, next to the Museum of Science and History. Food and drinks are available for purchase from River City Brewing. Leader: Judy M 398-2750 home 630-1212 x 3897 work. December 6, Saturday, 6:00 PM: NIGHT OF LIGHTS, ST. AUGUSTINE: Each year the City of St. Augustine decorates the town with Christmas lights. We will take a walking tour of the lighted city streets. After the walk we will have dinner at a yet to be decided restaurant in St. Augustine. Cost: cost of meal. Meeting place: to be determined. Leader: Judy M 398-2750 home 630-1212 x 3897 work December 13, Saturday: JULINGTON DURBIN PRESERVE HIKE: Julington Durbin Preserves has nine miles of shoreline that offer visitors beautiful scenic views of both Julington and Durbin creeks. The creek, swamp and marsh areas offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can take advantage and enjoy nature by walking, biking, or horseback riding. We will hike the trail and explore the area. We will meet at the entrance to the park at 13130 Bartram Park Blvd, near the intersection of I-95 and St. Augustine Rd. An optional paddle on Julington Creek after the hike can be planned. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707. December 14, Sunday: AVONDALE/RIVERSIDE LUMINARIAS WALK: Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322 December 20, Saturday, 7:30 PM: CHRISTMAS PARTY (FOR SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY): Come on over to my house for our annual Christmas Party. Bring an inexpensive wrapped gift suitable for either a man or a woman and we will have a “Chinese Gift Exchange”. If you have never experienced that type of gift exchange, you have a treat coming. Also bring an appetizer to share and whatever you want to drink for the evening. Please contact me to reserve a spot and to get directions to my house. Leader Earline V. Home 998-4244 Cell 614-8629 e.veltman (at) comcast.net December 31,
Wednesday: NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY/CAMPING (FOR SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY):
Leader: Earline V. Home 998-4244 Cell 614-8629 e.veltman (at) comcast.net |
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Additional longer-range activities may be scheduled at our next planning meeting. |
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2008 Monthly Meeting Schedule 2009 Monthly Meeting Schedule
WEDNESDAY, January 7, 2009 – 6:30 PM |
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