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North Florida Land
Trust. During the Sidetrackers May meeting, guest speaker Bonnie
E. Barnes, Executive Director for the North Florida Land Trust, presented
information about lands the non-profit organization has purchased for
preservation. Sidetrackers made a $25 donation to assist in their
efforts. We received a nice letter thanking us for our gift. North Florida Land Trust’s web site
is at
http://www.northfloridalandtrust.org and their phone number is 904-827-9870.
June 20th, Saturday,
10:00 AM: PADDLING AT ANASTASIA STATE PARK IN ST. AUGUSTINE: Salt Run,
a tidal salt marsh inlet, is a kayaker's and canoer’s delight. You can
paddle from the park to the lighthouse. It is great place to see birds,
marsh life, dolphins and other sea creatures. It is an easy paddle. If you
haven’t paddled before and want to try it, I will get you started. If you
want some more experience at paddling to be ready for the longer trip over
the summer, come out. Anastasia Water Sports (904-460-9111) rents kayaks and
canoes in the park. Kayak and canoes rentals are available for $15.00 for 1
hour, $25 for 2 hours and $10.00 an hour after that. Bring lunch, water,
sunscreen, and your canoe or kayak if you have one. We can go swimming at
the beach afterwards or do some hiking in the park.
Directions: U.S.1 South
to St. Augustine, Left on Hwy 312, Left on A1A toward St. Augustine,
Anastasia Park is on the right hand side, If you pass the Alligator Farm you
have missed it. Go through the park entrance ($5 per car), Boat rental is on
the left side about a ½ mile into the park. You are welcome to pick A1A up
in town and come through town and the construction around the Bridge of
Lions, if you want to. Same amount of time depending on traffic. Leader:
Diane J. 821-6707
June 27, Saturday,
7:00 a.m. SANTA FE RIVER PADDLE: This is a scenic paddle down one of
the most beautiful rivers in the Southeast. We will meet at Hardee's on
Lane Ave and caravan/carpool to High Springs to begin our adventure. My
plan is to launch from the boat ramp downstream from the outfitters (on
Hwy 27) and paddle to the Hwy 41 bridge. We will stop along the way at Lily
Springs and Rum Island to catch our breath, eat and generally play in the
water.
My plan is to do a
self-shuttle, where we drop off the boats at the launch, shuttle our
vehicles to the end and bring one or two vehicles back. Less costly, but
takes a little longer.
Rentals are available at
the outfitters at $35 for kayaks and $40 for canoes. Please let me know how
many will need to rent so that I can make arrangements. Every one will need
to bring snacks, water, lunch, sunscreen, bug repellant and any assorted
water toys. This is a fairly easy paddle accessible to beginners (all
downstream), but it is a little on the long side at approx. 4 hours. Please
join us for a wonderful time! Leader: Gene M. 998-2312
July 4, Saturday
morning/afternoon: ANNUAL JULY 4TH HANNA PARK PICNIC:
Shelter 1, in Parking Lot 8, is reserved for the annual Sidetrackers
picnic. There is a $3.00 fee per car to get into Hanna Park ($1 per person
if you arrive before 10 AM). The club will provide take-out chicken. Bring a
side dish to share, and what you would like to drink. Bring bathing suits
and sunscreen, and beach toys if you want. Contact person is Kim L
645-5112. Clean-up coordinator is Nancy N.
July 4, Saturday, 7
PM to 10 PM: FIREWORKS AND LIVE MUSIC AT THE CUMMER MUSEUM and GARDENS:
It's been a hectic day of fun at the
beach, food and friends; now, it's time for the fireworks. Instead of
fighting the crowd downtown, the Cummer Museum is opening their gardens to
the public to bring their chairs and refreshments to listen to the River
City Band and watch the fireworks. The cost is $10.00. The tickets should
be purchased as soon as possible to make sure you can attend before an
unannounced number of tickets are exhausted. Make the reservations yourself
or get the $10 to me and I'll purchase your ticket. This is a gift of the
Cummer even with a charge, because it is one of the loveliest places in
Jacksonville. Leader: Marta W. 725-9521
July 11, Saturday:
OPEN
July 18, Saturday,
7:30 AM: PALM COAST BIKE RIDE: Enjoy a 20 mile loop trip on paved
roads and wide sidewalks. Because it is summer, we will be taking our time,
with plenty of rest stops. Much of the trip is in the sun with the final 10
miles along the ocean. We might also take a dip in the ocean. This is for
riders of intermediate ability, but we will likely have a “chase vehicle” to
accompany the riders, carry water, and crack the whip. There may be some
rental bicycles available, check with trip leader Dicker. Within walking
distance from the start/finish of the ride is European Village, which has
restaurants where we can have lunch (optional). Items of interest are
nature, a farmer’s market, shops, and the ocean. Bring sunscreen, and a
bathing suit or long T-shirt for the optional dip in the ocean during the
second half of our journey.
Meet at 7:30 AM at
Panera Bakery on Old St. Augustine Road (between Publix and Kohl’s),
adjacent to I-95, near the Bartram Park subdivision, where we can leave cars
and carpool if desired. Head south on I-95 and exit at Crescent Beach for
the scenic road past Marineland and go south along A1A. Watch for signs for
the Palm Coast bridge and cross the Intracoastal Waterway at this point (the
toll is going in the other direction). Go to the first traffic light and
turn left onto Palm Harbor Parkway. Follow this around to meet directly
under the bridge (parking lot on right). If coming directly from I-95, take
Palm Coast Parkway to Palm Harbor Parkway (right), and proceed to parking
lot under bridge. Do not make the mistake of going over the toll bridge in
this direction (east). Leaders: Dicker J. 655-9903 and Nancy N. 553-2805
July 25, Saturday,
8:00AM: SWIM, PICNIC, PADDLE (OPTIONAL), HIKE AT BLUE SPRINGS: Come join
us at a rural area 35 minutes northwest of Gainesville for relaxing day at a
72 degree spring located on private property. Bring your kayak and we will
paddle part of the Santa Fe River. You can rent tubes or canoes or bring
your personal floatation device and float in the spring. Then enjoy the
lunch you brought in your chair under the oak trees. There is a limited
concession stand if you want to try it. Afterwards we will hike around the
property and visit the other smaller springs. Bring your bug spray. Entry
fee: $10 (cash only, no credit/debit cards accepted in the park) No pets or
glass bottles please. We will be leaving from Hardees at I-10 and Lane Ave
and caravan down. Please be ready to leave at 8:00 AM. Leader: Stephanie M.
268-5569(H), 502-1005(C). For more info on the web
http://www.bluespringspark.com
August 1, Saturday 5:30
AM: ICHETUCKNEE RIVER TUBING / FLOAT TRIP
Come float down
the Ichetucknee Spring! We’ll be entering at the State
Park’s north entrance so we can experience the shallow, fragile part of the
spring run. It is so peaceful. The
park only allows 750 people to float from the north entrance each day and
Saturdays are busy, so we need to arrive early to get in.
It takes a little over two hours to drive there.
We will rent the inner tubes from a business outside the park.
Our drivers will drop us off at the north entrance, drive to the
south entrance, then shuttle back to float with us.
We’ll be on the river for about 3 hours, and will have the opportunity to
float again at the mid-point after lunch. Meet at the
Hardee's on Lane Avenue, where we’ll carpool. Be ready
to leave at 5:30. I know this is awfully early, but it’s
worth the effort. You can bring your lunch for this all
day trip, or plan to eat at the snack bar at the South entrance.
Bring plenty of water and/or sports drinks, bathing suit, sunscreen,
water shoes, towel, hat if you wear one, clothes to change into for the ride
home. Cost: $5 per person at the park, plus inner tube rental (estimate $4
to $6), plus the cost of having the snack bar hold the car keys while we’re
on the river. More info on the web:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm
Leader: Marsha C.
744-6322
August 8, Saturday:
OPEN
August 15, Saturday:
OPEN
August 22, Saturday:
KITE FLYING AND BEACH WALK. Leaders: Nancy N. 553-2805 and Kim L.
645-5112
August 29, Saturday:
OPEN
September 2,
Wednesday 7:30 PM: PLANNING MEETING:
This quarter’s planning meeting is being held at the Southeast Regional
Library, right after the September monthly meeting. We will be planning for
October, November, and December. It is the club members who come up with
the activities. Think about what you would like do during the next quarter,
and join us at the meeting. Non-members are welcome to attend.
September 5,6,7
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Labor Day Weekend): OPEN
September 12,
Saturday: OPEN
September 19, 20,
Saturday/Sunday: CRYSTAL RIVER CAMP AND PADDLE: Leader: Diane J.
821-6707
September 26, 27,
Saturday/Sunday: OCEAN POND CAMPING: Leaders: Sandy P. 996-9206, Jeff P.
386-462-4918
LONG-RANGE PLANNING
October 8 through 12
Thursday through Monday, HANGING ROCK STATE PARK, DANBURY, NC:
I have made reservations at Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury, North
Carolina. We have group sites one and two. Please put this on your
calendars and make arrangements for time off (if necessary) for our annual
trip to see the beautiful colored leaves of Fall. The trip is 489 miles or
about 8 hours. The park opens at 8 AM and closes at 8 PM so no one can
enter or leave after that. There are a total of 14 trails, ranging from
easy (0.4 miles one way) to strenuous (7.4 miles one way). There are two
loops. One is a strenuous 4.4 miles and the other is a strenuous 6.0
miles. More information will be provided when the time is closer. Please
email me if you are interested in being a part of our fun fall fest in North
Carolina. Leader: Earline V 614-8629 email e.veltman’at’comcast.net
Additional info on the
web at
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/haro/main.php
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