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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.

 

ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

General Participation Guidelines
Always sign up ("register") for an event by contacting the leader so you can be reached if there is a change or an event cancellation.  Trip Leaders make arrangements and may set limits on some trips and activities as needed.  If you are not pre-registered you may be turned away at some events.

Additional information about these activities and events may be
announced at monthly meetings and on our YahooGroups Email list.

If you did not sign up for an event or activity at the last club meeting and
would like to do so, please post a message to our YahooGroups list, send email to
someone on our "Contacts" page, or call the leader directly.

September 19, Saturday, 7:00 AM - ROCK SPRINGS PADDLE/WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK:  The Wekiva River/Rock Springs Run Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. This canoe trail begins at Kings Landing on Rock Springs Run and continues down the run until it meets the Wekiva River. Rock Springs Run is bordered by Rock Springs Run State Preserve on one side and Wekiwa Springs State Park on the other. The mixture of swift and placid water offers a frequent change of pace. Traveling through sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, hammocks and swamps, paddlers will see a variety of wildlife including limpkins and white ibis. Quiet observers may see some rare and endangered species like the Florida black bear, wood stork and sandhill crane. Numerous islands, tributaries and lagoons provide opportunities for side trips and camping. We will do about a 5 hour paddle from King’s landing to Wekiva Springs State Park and then explore the park. We will meet at the McDonalds on Old St. Augustine road and I-95 and LEAVE at 7:00. It is about a two hour drive to the put in spot. It is $6.00 to get into the park. Bring LUNCH to take on the paddle, a boat it you have one and all the other stuff that goes with a paddle and plenty of water. I am looking into rentals so let me know if you want to rent a boat. Leader: Diane J. 821-6707. For more info on the web: http://www.floridastateparks.org/WekiwaSprings/

September 26, Saturday - OPEN

October 8 through 12 Thursday through Monday - HANGING ROCK STATE PARK, DANBURY, NC: I have made reservations at Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury , NC .  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.

We will have one evening group meal of Hobo Stew.  If you've never had this, you'll be amazed how good it is.  Everyone contributes something to the meat that I will prepare for the stew, such as green beans, corn, tomatoes, or whatever you can think of that would be good for the stew.

I will prepare French Toast for breakfast one day and everyone will contribute to that meal also.  I'm told the park is not near any town or store, so bring what you need because you can't just run and get it.  As for the rest of the meals, you are on your own.  I'm checking into activities at other locations around the park and will get back with you on that.

I think it is best that we go to the park on our own.  Some may want to caravan and that's OK.  You can make arrangements with others that are going.  I will be emailing those that have signed up so all will know who is going. Please email me if you are interested in being a part of our fun fall fest in North Carolina .  Leader: Earline V phone 904.614.8629 email e.veltman (at) comcast.net

October 17, Saturday - OPEN

October 24, Saturday, 8:30 AM - JEKYLL ISLAND BIKE RIDE:  Enjoyable and relaxing bike ride around Jekyll Island with beautiful views of the ocean, oak trees, and other parts of the island.  We may visit the historic district, some shops, or go wherever the group desires. We will eat lunch at a local restaurant on the island. We suggest you leave your personal bike at home and plan to car pool with us and rent a bike on Jekyll Island. The group discount rental cost is approximately $ 7.00 per bike. Bring water, sunscreen, money for bike rental and lunch, and a bright smile.

Directions to the meeting place: We will meet at the River City shopping center off I-95 north. Take I-95 north and turn at the exit for Duval Rd. (East) which is the opposite direction from the airport.  We will meet at the Ross's parking lot at 8:30 AM and will divide into groups of four to car-pool to Jekyll. This will save on gas and allow for friendly conversations during the drive. Please let me know you are coming. Leader: Kim L.:  645-5112 For more info on the web http://www.jekyllisland.com/

October 31, Saturday - OPEN 

November 7, 8, Saturday-Sunday - CAMPING AT FORT CLINCH STATE PARK:  Leader: Kathy B. 772-0790

November 14, Saturday, 11:00 AM - BIKING THE BALDWIN TRAIL: Join us on this 14 mile paved biking trail close to Jacksonville.  Song birds, hawks, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer have been seen on this trail.  Bathrooms and water are available.  At the halfway point we’ll take a break and have snacks.  There are also picnic grounds.  Drivers of the cars will be taken to the picnic area and returned to the trailhead at Commonwealth.  For those who choose, we can then have a meal at either Cracker Barrel or Piccadilly (vegetable plates, low cholesterol), or another restaurant of your choice.  To get from the trailhead to the restaurants, take I-10 to I-295 North-9A to Regency Square.  Bring a bike, crash helmet, snacks and water or sports drinks, and money for the meal.  Guests are welcome to come.

Directions: Meet at the trailhead: Take I-10 to I-295 North, exit at Commonwealth take a left and go West.  Go over the railroad tracks then take the first road on the right (Imeson Road) heading North.  Sign on the left states “Baldwin Trail”.  Leader: Richard B. 745-8171. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/jacksonville_baldwin.htm

November 21, Saturday - HIKE AT LITTLE TALBOT STATE PARK: Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322

November 27, Friday - JACKSONVILLE BOAT PARADE, FIREWORKS:  Leader: Judy M. 398-2750

November 28, Saturday - OPEN

December 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.

December 4, Friday Evening - ST. AUGUSTINE ART WALK AND DOWNTOWN LIGHTS: Leader: Judy M. 398-2750

December 12, Saturday - MYSTERY HIKE: Leader: Diane J. 821-6707

December 19, 20 Saturday, Sunday - CHRISTMAS PARTY: Sidetrackers members will celebrate Christmas at The Landing at Ocean Pond Saturday, Dec 19th to the Sunday, Dec 20th. Check in time is 10 AM. We’ll do a Chinese gift exchange, so bring a gift $10 or less appropriate for male or female. Since we are an outdoor activities club, it is recommended that the gift be something that can be used for camping, hiking, biking or paddling, etc. The club will provide the meat, bring a dish to share. Also bring your beverage of choice, camping gear if you plan to spend the night, bug spray, chair for sitting around the fire. The Landing features a private section of beach on Ocean Pond, a large shelter with electric, grill, fire pit, rest rooms & hot/cold showers.  Sign up now! Leaders: Sandy P. 904-955-4550 and Jeff P. 352-538-1938

December 20, Sunday Evening - RIVERSIDE AVONDALE LUMINARIAS WALK: Leader: Erica S. 215-1180
 

Additional longer-range activities may be scheduled at our next planning meeting.
Make plans now to attend; everyone is welcome.
 

Additional information about these activities and events may be
announced at monthly meetings and on our YahooGroups Email list.

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, October 7, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 4, 2009 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 2, 2009 – 6:30 PM

The SIDETRACKERS Newsletter
If you have any comments about the newsletter, or if you have material to submit for inclusion in the
next monthly newsletter, please send email to newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.

To Become a SIDETRACKERS Member
Membership applications are being accepted throughout the year.  Please visit our
Membership page on the web, or send questions and comments to membership 'at' sidetrackers.com.

The SIDETRACKERS Web Site

Our web site is maintained by Frank who can be reached by email at webmaster 'at' sidetrackers.com.  Please contact Frank if you have any corrections, photos, or other items of interest from any current activities. We will be pleased to consider your suggestions concerning the web site content.

In Case You Were Wondering...
Email addresses are slightly obscured with 'at' instead of '@' in an attempt to foil automated spam robots.



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