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March 21, Saturday, 8:30 AM, ST. JOHNS RIVER CLEANUP AND CELEBRATION:
The City of Jacksonville annually celebrates a clean up activity on the St.
Johns River and its tributaries. This year Sidetrackers will help to clean
up Pottsburg Creek. We will meet at All Wet Sports and put in at the boat
ramp there. All Wet Sports is offering prizes in several different
categories: most trash, biggest trash, etc. They will provide larger boats
to pick up what is collected. After the clean up we will go to Metropolitan
Park for a free lunch and a free t-shirt. This is a fun event and you will
be amazed at the types of trash that you will find. Food needed: water,
snacks. Equipment needed: canoe or kayak. You may be able to rent a boat at
All Wet Sports but call ahead to check: 646-9887
Directions: All Wet Sports is located at 8550 Beach Boulevard. This is
across the street from the intersection of Grove Park Boulevard with Beach
Boulevard and west of the Walmart on Beach. It is on the east bank of
Pottsburg Creek. Leader: Judy M. Phone: 398-2750 (H) 630-1212 x 3897 (W)
March 28, Saturday, JACKSONVILLE ZOO OUTING: The group will meet at
Hardees on Merrill Road at 9:30 AM to carpool or travel solo to the Zoo
located off Herscher Drive. Spring should be bursting out all over with the
fresh blossoms of the season, and the animals enjoying the weather before
the heat of summer. It is a great place to walk, learn and visit with
fellow Sidetrackers. Hope you will join us as it benefits not only you but
contributes to one of Jacksonville's greatest treasures. The cost will be
somewhere between $9.50 and $12.00. The Zoo also has nice and tasty
facilities for lunch. If interested, please sign up at the March club
meeting or call Marta. Leader: Marta W. 725-9521.
April 4, Saturday, TREEHOUSE CAMPING, CAMP CHOWENWAW: Camp
Chowenwaw, a jewel really, is just a hop and skip away from Jacksonville.
We (Sidetrackers) found it and grew to liking this former 70-year-old Girl
Scout camp. This is a 153 acre site in Clay County at the mouth of Black
Creek. Address for Mapquest: 1517 Ball Rd. Green Cove Springs, Fl. 32043.
Have you missed having a treehouse in the backyard as a child? Here is your
chance to be a kid again for one night. I have booked us in all 9 treehouses
(4 bunk beds per house) on Saturday, April the 4th, 2009. This is the same
camp that helped make the Halloween party so special.
In addition to overnight camping, this place has a lot to offer: public
pool, hiking trails, fishing pier and a beautiful natural spring called
Otter Springs. We plan on paddling on Black Creek and Peter’s creek around
the park. Canoe/kayak rentals are not available but we have lots of members
who have extras. When you don’t feel like going paddling with us on
Saturday there are still lots of things to do. Green Cove Springs also has a
Railroad Museum if you are interested.
This camping trip is one of the most unique ones because we are going to
spend a night in a treehouse. If enough people sign up, this may be under
$10/person! Leaders: Heike and Gene 998-2312
T
H E F O L L O W I N G T R I P H A S
B E E N * C A N C E L L E D *
April 11, Saturday, 7:15 AM: ORIENTEERING IN ROCK SPRINGS RUN STATE
PRESERVE: Meet at Panera Bread in Mandarin; leave Panera's at 7:15
AM. 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/
T H I S
T R I P H A S B E E N * C A N C E L L E
D *
Equipment Needed: Orienteering compass which can be acquired at local
sporting goods stores or internet; comfortable sneakers; clothing
appropriate for hiking in the woods; 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
April 12, Sunday, 6:00 AM: EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE AT THE BEACH:
Join us for the Easter Sunrise Service held at the Seawalk Pavilion in
Jacksonville Beach. Meet at the intersection of Beach Blvd. and First
Street. Be inspired by the message, the music, and the colors of dawn in the
sky over the beach. Even if you’re not a morning person, this is worth
getting up for at least once. After the service, those who are interested
will go to breakfast at a local restaurant. Please confirm you are coming.
Leader: Nancy N. 553-2805, nance0204’at’yahoo.com
April 17, 18 and 19, Friday - Sunday, TRIP TO ATLANTA/STONE MOUNTAIN:
Come join us for a couple of fun days in Atlanta. We will stay at my house
in Lawrenceville GA. Plan on either sleeping on the floor inside or on the
large deck outside, or bring a tent to pitch. Arrive on Friday either later
in the day or Friday evening. On Saturday we will breakfast at the house
and then hike around Stone Mountain and later either ride or walk up the
Mountain. There are numerous other activities at Stone Mountain that will
fill up your day....or hike all day. Saturday evening will be the laser
show with dinner on the lawn at Stone Mountain. Sunday we'll have breakfast
at the house, then hike before we visit the aquarium. Please purchase your
own aquarium tickets in advance at
http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitUs/tickets.aspx
($26 for adults) Sometimes on the weekend they do sell out so it is best to
get tickets in advance. There are different levels of tickets that include
other optional activities. It is a great way to spend the day and I have
been twice. The aquarium is open on Sunday from 10-5. To adequately see
all exhibits takes minimally 4-5 hours. The aquarium food is expensive and
they don't let you bring food into the building. Optionally, if anyone is
interested, some hikes close to Lawrenceville are available on Sunday.
Costs for the trip: help out with gas for the driving; bring or buy your
own breakfast foods; $8.00 per carload into Stone Mountain; Dinner at
Stone Mountain (we can prepare sandwiches at the house before we leave and
put in coolers or my preference is to buy a bucket of chicken later in the
day); ticket to aquarium; any meals or food or miscellaneous purchases;
Please call leader at 404-307-1422 or email (jakstuff 'at' mindspring.com)
to reserve before April 10th. Limit 20 people due to space. I would like
to arrange carpools for the trip to Atlanta so please let me know if you are
willing to drive or not. If you can drive let me know the number of people
you are willing to take and the time you would like to leave on Sunday. (It
is a 6-hour drive between Jacksonville and my house in Lawrenceville with
minimal stops.) Leader: Jennifer R. 404-307-1422
April 25, Saturday, 8:30 AM to Approx. 3:00 PM, PAINT THE TOWN:
Sidetrackers will participate with the Jacksonville Housing Partnership to
paint the outside of homes in the East 21st Street neighborhood. This
project addresses the critical need for home rehabilitation in lower income
areas. The homeowners from past years have truly appreciated our efforts.
Most of the rehabs are done for elderly homeowners that cannot afford or are
not able to do the work themselves. Home improvements are usually done prior
to our arrival and we are responsible for painting the outside. It is a lot
of fun. Sometimes we get as much paint on us as the house. I think that this
is my 14th or 15th year assisting in this project. Wear old clothes and
shoes. You should bring gloves and sunscreen. As a reward for your service
you will receive a “Paint the Town” T-shirt and a free lunch. Water will be
provided. Directions: The meeting spot for this year’s Paint the Town is
Bennett Street at 21st Street E. More detailed information on how to get to
the meeting spot will be given to those who volunteer. Please let me know as
soon as possible if you wish to volunteer. There is a quick turn around this
year for the sign up. I will need your T-shirt size also.
May 6, Wednesday, 6:30 PM, OPEN HOUSE AT THE SIDETRACKERS MAY MEETING:
Location: Jacksonville Public Library, Southeast Regional Branch, at the
Gate Parkway exit off
J. Turner Butler Boulevard. Come find out about the club! Leader: (Mr.) Kim
L. 645-5112
May 9, Saturday, OPEN
May 16, Saturday morning: HIKE AT HANNA PARK
Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322
May 16, Saturday afternoon: PLANNING MEETING
Leader: Nancy N. 553-2805, nance0204’at’yahoo.com
May 22 through May 25, Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and Monday,
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CAMPING TRIP: Come join us for a long holiday
weekend of camping, paddling and hiking. We are planning on going to Lake
Griffin State Park in Fruitland Florida. Never heard of it? Check it out on
the web
here. We will be camping Friday
night, May 22 Sat. night and Sunday night and leaving Monday morning, May
25. There will be paddling and exploring the Dead River and Lake Griffin on
one day. We can drive over to Withlacoochee State Forest for a day of good
long hikes. More info on the web
here.
Take off Friday afternoon and come down early to beat the rush out of Jax.
The park is about 2 hours and 30 min. away from Jacksonville located
south/southeast of Ocala. I have reserved five sites, there can be only two
tents per site and only two vehicles per site and eight people per site
(State Park rules). So I have 10 tent spots available, well really I have 6
tent spots available (as of March 1st), four spots are already filled. They
are $25.00 a tent for the three nights. You are responsible for your own
food, gear and boat but if you need gear or boat, let me know we can find
you stuff. Let me know if you want a spot. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707.
May 30, Saturday, SANTA FE RIVER PADDLE
Leader: Gene M. 998-2312
June 6, Saturday, PADDLE, LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
Leader: Earline V. 614-8629
June 12, 13, 14, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, CAMPING AT O’LENO STATE PARK,
TUBING ON THE ITCHETUCKNEE RIVER
Leaders: Mary Jane J. 565-1096 and Marta W. 635-7170
June 20, Saturday, GUANA RIVER PADDLE
Leader: Earline V. 614-8629
June 27, Saturday, OPEN
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2009 Monthly Meeting Schedule
MONTHLY MEETINGS are
always on the first non-holiday 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, April 1, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 2, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 4, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 2, 2009 – 6:30 PM
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