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December 19, 20
Saturday, Sunday - CHRISTMAS PARTY: Sidetrackers will celebrate
Christmas at The Landing at Ocean Pond Saturday, Dec 19th to 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, restrooms and hot/cold showers.
If you would like to
donate a toy for less fortunate children this Christmas season, Stephanie
has offered to deliver any donations to the Fire Department. Bring an
unwrapped gift to the Sidetrackers Christmas Party. A maximum $20 value has
been suggested. Sign up now! Leaders: Sandy P. 904-955-4550 and Jeff P.
352-538-1938
December 20, Sunday,
5:00 PM dinner, 6:00 PM walk: AVONDALE/RIVERSIDE LUMINARIAS WALK: Enjoy
the Christmas Season with this walk through Jacksonville’s historic Avondale
and Riverside neighborhoods for the annual luminarias display. More than
36,000 luminarias line the streets. It’s a really festive atmosphere. For
those who wish, join us for dinner at the European Street Café, 2753 Park
Street, at 5:00 PM. Let me know if you’re coming, and whether you plan to
eat with us. We’ll start our walking tour around 6:00 PM. Leader: Erica S
200-0168
January 2, Saturday
11:00 AM: HIKE UNF NATURE TRAILS:
Sleep in a bit and then come and join us for a pleasant hike
to start the New Year out right. We will work off those holiday calories and
enjoy communicating with new and old friends. For those interested, we can
eat lunch after the walk at a nearby St. John's Town Center eatery. You will
want to bring a bottle of water and appropriate clothing for the weather.
Please call the leader to advise you plan to attend. Meet at the
University of North Florida, UNF Drive, parking lot 100. Leader: Kim L.
645-5112.
http://www.unf.edu/recsports/nature/
January 8, 9, 10
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: CAMPING AT LAKE GRIFFIN STATE PARK AND
ORIENTEERING IN WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST Saturday 10:00 am: Lake
Griffin is approximately 2 ˝ hours from Jacksonville and has shower
facilities, each site has electricity/water/campfire ring and is $20 per
night (2 tents), restaurants are nearby. The plan is to leave Jacksonville
around noon Friday. Those interested in orienteering would drive approx 45
miles to the event that begins Sat 10:00 AM. Check out the Lake Griffin
link for other activities like canoeing, biking, hiking -- http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakegriffin/default.cfm.
If you're interested, contact Renee ASAP for campground reservation and
other detail information.
ORIENTEERING IN
WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST - Croom Road (near Brooksville, FL):
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. We would participate in groups.
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. If you wish to go, please review
“About Us“, “Tutorial“, and “Policies (Emergency Rules and Procedures)” at
http://floridaorienteering.org/ or ask leader about this information.
Equipment Needed:
Orienteering compass which can be acquired at local sporting goods stores or
internet (or you can rent one for $1.00 at the event); 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,
snack. 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. Leader: Renee R. 894-7555
January 16, Saturday:
OPEN
January 23, Saturday:
GAME DAY, ALACHUA: Meet at Jeff’s around 10 AM for a day of outdoor
games in his beautiful back yard. Let us know what you are up for –
volleyball, bocce ball, croquet, “survival”! GAME ON! Form teams or play
individually. Bring your lunch & beverage of choice. Spend the day or camp
overnight – there’s plenty of room on Jeff’s 5 acres to pitch tents! Jeff &
Sandy will provide meat for dinner, please bring a dish to share – salad,
vegetable, appetizer or dessert. If inclement weather prohibits outdoor
games, we’ll play board games and/or poker indoors in front of the
fireplace. Bring your favorite board game! Directions to Jeff’s will be
provided upon sign-up. Leaders: Jeff P. 352-538-1938 and Sandy P. 955-4550.
January 30, Saturday,
9:00 AM: HIKING AT BAYARD CONSERVATION AREA: We will hike and explore
the trails at the John P. Hall Sr. Nature Preserve on the St. Johns River
part of the Bayard Conservation area. Bayard conservation area is located
just south of Green Cove springs on the banks of the St. Johns River. The
diversity of natural systems provides habitat and feeding areas for a wide
variety of species, including gopher tortoise, bald eagle, little blue
heron, eastern indigo snake, deer and turkey. Woodland birds, such as
warblers and woodpeckers, and manatee are found in this reach of the St.
Johns River. We will hike and explore the trails. This is a hike as far as
you like hike and turn around when you are ready. Or continue to a great
view of the St. Johns River. There are several trails with different
lengths. For maps and further information check at the web site http://www.sjrwmd.
com/recreationgu ide/bayard/ index.html We will meet at the McDonald's on
US 17 across from the Dog Track in Orange Park. Leaders: Diane J. 821-6707
and Judy M. 398-2750
February 6,
Saturday, 9:15 AM: HIKE & "SPECIAL" TOUR - FT GEORGE ISLAND STATE PARK
Ft. George Island State Park has
been a site of human occupation for 6,000 years, beginning with the Timucua
Indians. The French Explorer, Jean Ribault claimed the island in 1562. In
the 1920's a new resort, the Ribault Club was constructed and became a
vacation area for the Smart Set. There is a three mile nature trail, a
"special tour" of an old privately owned historic home, and we will visit
the Kingsley Plantation grounds. We will meet at the Jean Ribault visitors
center at 9:45 AM, use their rest-rooms and walk through this historic
building. Then we will take a "special" tour of the nearby privately owned
home known as the Admiral Blue House (Nelmar House). Our co-leader, Andy F.,
has arranged for the tour of this 7,000 sq ft home built in 1877. We will
then proceed with our nature walk on the island and will visit the grounds
of the Kingsley Plantation which includes the plantation house, a kitchen,
barn, remains of cabins from the 1800's and the waterfront. We should finish
our nature walk and visits by 12:45 PM. For those interested, we can then go
back to Hecksher and meet for lunch at the Sand Dollar restaurant which is
only one mile south of Ft. George island and has a beautiful view of the St.
Johns River. If some desire more hiking, then after lunch, those interested
can take the short return trip to the island and hike other areas in the
afternoon.
Those wanting to car-pool or caravan, meet at the Hardees, 9111 Merrill Rd.,
just East of 9A at 9:15 AM. Those driving directly to the island, proceed
north on 9A over the Broward Bridge and go east at the first exit which is
Hecksher Blvd (AIA). Go approximately 9 miles on Hecksher Blvd, pass the
Ferry terminal, and then within one mile the marked entrance will be on the
left. Proceed slowly on the island road, bear right at the fork, and follow
directions for the Jean Ribault visitors center. Entrance to the island and
the tour is free. Bring a bottle of water, a snack, proper clothing for the
weather, money for lunch if you desire, and a bright smile. Leader - (Mr.)
Kim L - 904-645-5112, Please call so Andy and I know to expect you. My cell
phone for the day of the event is 904-610-5029.
February 13, Saturday
10:30 AM: OLUSTEE BATTLEFIELD RE-ENACTMENT: Every year thousands
of re-enactors come to Olustee to re-enact the Civil War battle. We will
see military personnel and civilians in period clothing, walk through Union
and Confederate camps, and talk to merchants selling their civil war era
merchandise. We can listen to period music, watch medical demonstrations,
and attend informational talks. At 3:30 we’ll watch a battle re-enactment.
Although there will be refreshments available for purchase, I don’t know the
details and suggest we bring our lunches or snacks, plus plenty of water
and/or sports drinks. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, and bring
sunscreen. Meet off I-10 at the Hardee’s at 873 S Lane Ave, to carpool.
Admission is $7, parking shuttle is $1 each way. Please let me know if you
are coming. Leader: Marsha C. 744-6322
February 20,
Saturday: OPEN
February 27,
Saturday: Silver River Paddle: Leader: Earline V. 614-8629
March 3, Wednesday
7:30 PM: PLANNING MEETING: This quarter’s planning meeting is being held
at the Southeast Regional Library, right after the March monthly meeting.
We will be planning for April, May, and June. 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.
March 5, 6, 7,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, PRIMITIVE CAMPING AT MOSQUITO LAGOON:
Leaders: Diane J. 821-6707 and Judy M. 398-2750
March 13, Saturday:
OPEN
March 20, 21,
Saturday, Sunday, PARKER PLACE CAMPING AND KANAPAHA GARDENS SPRING PLANT
SALE: Every spring, Kanapaha Gardens in Gainesville hosts its Annual
Spring Garden Festival, the region's premier horticultural event. The
weekend affair features more than 200 booths offering plants, landscape
displays, educational materials, arts and crafts, and food. Educational
seminars and entertainment are offered throughout and both live and silent
auctions offer many bargains on arts, crafts, plants, and gardening
supplies. About 10,000 individuals usually attend the event; parking is free
and two off-site parking areas are serviced by shuttle buses. Pets are not
allowed at these festivals. For more detailed information, visit the Spring
Garden Festival website at www.gardenfestival.org Sandy and Jeff will be
hosting a campout at Parker Place Saturday, with a visit to the Kanapaha
Spring Plant Sale on Sunday. Leaders: Sandra P. 996-9206 and Jeff P.
386-462-4918
March 27, Saturday:
OPEN
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