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Sat
8/11, 6:15 am, Ichetucknee River Tubing/Float Trip:
Come float down the
Ichetucknee River appx. In Fort White, FL, 1.5 hours southwest of
Jacksonville. We’ll be entering Ichetucknee State at the park’s north
entrance so that we can experience the shallow, fragile part of the spring
run. 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. We will
rent the 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 3.5 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 6:15 AM.
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 tube rental ($5 for
a tube, $10 for a raft). Leader: Susan Cason. 904 662-0591. Fore more info
on the web:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm
Sat
8/18, 5:30pm, Evening Walk At Jax Beach: Meet
at the front of the Casa Maria Hotel, 691 1st Street
North, Jax Beach.
We will take a brisk walk
about 2 - 3 miles south on the beach and meander back while searching for
shells and shark's teeth. Bring water, sunscreen, and appropriate shoes.
After the walk, join us for a picnic dinner on the beach. Parking near hotel
or city parking lot (5.00 fee). Picnic after walk is optional. Leader:
Chris Hobson 904 482 6276 (cell and text) cshobson1 'at' gmail.com
Sat
8/25, 10:00 am, Butterfly Rainforest Exhibit: Tour
the beautiful butterfly garden at the Florida Museum of Natural History at
the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. The exhibit is a four-story,
outdoor screened enclosure with waterfalls, a walking trail and hundreds of
live butterflies. Cost for the butterfly exhibit: $10.50 for non-residents
or $9 for seniors (62+) and FL residents. We’ll go to lunch afterward. Wear
comfortable shoes, bring $$$ for lunch and your bright smile. Directions
from Jacksonville: Take I-10 west to US 301 South (exit 343) towards Starke
staying on 301 to Waldo - 37.6 miles. From Waldo veer right (Gainesville
sign) and drive 10 miles southwest on SR 24 (becomes Waldo Road in
Gainesville) to the junction of SR 222/NE 39th Avenue. Turn west (right)
onto SR 222/NE 39th Avenue. Cross over Main Street and then US 441/NW 13th
Street. Continue to NW 34th Street. Turn south (left) and travel 3.5 miles
to the traffic signal at Hull Road. Turn east (left) onto Hull Road. The
entrance to the University of Florida Cultural Plaza is on the south (right)
side of Hull Road. Trip Leaders: Jeff P. 386-462-4918 and Sandy P.
955-4550. For more information:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu We will meet at the front entrance to the
museum.
Fri- Mon, 9/1 – 9/3, Camping at Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA:
Labor Day Camping,
Whitewater Rafting, Hiking Trip, 4 Days: Friday (8/31) - Monday (9/3). For
those who would like to caravan to north Georgia, we will leave from Hardees
on Merrill Road at 7:00 Friday morning. It's a 7 1/2 hour drive with
additional time allowed for rest stops and lunch; we should be there about
4:00. Camping will be at Tallulah Gorge State Park where the campsites are
$18.00 per tent per night ($54.00 for 3 nights) with a $3.00 parking fee.
Plans are to get up early Saturday morning and drive about 35 minutes to
whitewater raft the Chatooga River which is the site of the movie,
"Deliverance" 40 years ago this year. Since it is a holiday weekend, the
charge is $109.00 which includes lunch on the river and a cookout
afterwards. It should be an adventurous day with 5 hours on the III section
of the river culminating at Bull Sluice (IV). Bull Sluice is a very well
known and exciting whitewater site on the river -- it's fun just to watch
people going through it. Sunday will be hiking in one of the most
spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long
and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Hiking can be along the rim trails to several
overlooks; plus a hike to the bottom of the gorge including 531 stairs, a
river crossing jumping from rock to rock, and climbing boulders along the
side of the river to Bridal Veil Falls where you can swim -- a total of 3.5
miles. The ranger led hike for $5 is recommended as to secure a permit to
hike to the bottom of the gorge without the guide must be secured before
7:30 a.m. Additionally, there is a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet
above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and
waterfalls. For the mountain bikers, there is a challenging 10 mile trail
for those interested in taking their bikes and testing their skills.
It
will be Labor Day Weekend before we know it; so, reservations must be made
ASAP. If you are interested in the trip, please contact Marta. She will
need a check in the amount of $168.00 ($54.00 for tent site, $109.00 for
rafting & $5 for hike) More information regarding food, etc. will be
supplied later. Trip Leader: Marta. 904.635.7170. For more
information:
http://www.gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge/
Wed
9/5, 6:30 Monthly Meeting and Planning Meeting:
NEW LOCATION - South Mandarin Regional Library,12125 San Jose Blvd,
Jacksonville, FL 32223 (904) 288-6385. Located at the intersection of San
Jose Boulevard and Orange Picker Road, about two miles south of I-295. The
quarterly planning meeting will be held 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 to do during the next quarter, and join us at the meeting.
Non-members are welcome to attend the meeting.
Sat
9/8, 8:30am, Jekyll Island Bike Ride, Jekyll Island, GA:
Enjoy an invigorating bike ride around Jekyll Island with beautiful views
of the ocean, historic district, and biking paths of the island. We will
ride approximately 15 miles around the island and through Driftwood Park. We
will eat lunch at a local restaurant on the island. Bring your bike and plan
to car pool with us to Jekyll Island. Bring water, bug repellent, sunscreen,
money for lunch, a bike lock if you have one, 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. Trip
Leaders: Paula S.: 588-2707 and Chris Hobson 904 482 6276. For more
info on the web:
http://www.jekyllisland.com/
Sat
9/15, 8:30 am, Hike and Pancake Lunch at Deleon Springs, State Park:
We are off to the Wild
Persimmon Hiking Trail, a 4 mile loop trail that will lead you through
several natural communities. Parts of the trail can flood during wet seasons
and biting insects are common, so appropriate clothing and footwear are
recommended, along with insect repellent and drinking water. After the hike,
lunch will be at Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House at 12:30 for
lunch where everyone gets to make their own pancakes on a grille in the
middle of the table. You can order blueberries, sausage, eggs or other items
to accompany your pancakes. Please let me know if you are planning on
going. I can make a reservation ahead of time so we all will be sure to get
in.
De
Leon Springs State Park provides access to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife
Refuge, where canoeists can explore 18,000 acres of lakes, creeks and
marshes. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals are available in the park
throughout the year. Snorkeling and swimming is permitted at the spring
boil, the water temperature is a constant 72 degrees to beat the heat, and
depths range from 18" to 30' at the spring. Meeting place: McDonalds near
the intersection of I-95 and Old St. Augustine Rd.(13939 Old Saint Augustine
Road) Cost(s) of Activity: Park entrance $6 per vehicle + lunch.
Located Approximately 90 miles from the McDonald’s on 95 & Old St. Augustine
Rd. Trip Leader: Terry C 904 563-0937. For more information:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/default.cfm and also:
http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/sugarpage2.htm
Sat. 9/22, 8:00am,
Paddle Anastasia State Park: Paddle in
beautiful Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. We will meet at McDonalds
on Old St. Augustine Road (by I-95) at 8:00 am. Arrive early if you plan on
having breakfast. We will leave by 8:30 am. Car pooling is available.
The paddle will be moderate to difficult. Bring sunscreen, plenty of water,
snacks, camera /binoculars for a rest stop. We will paddle in
the salt marsh and find a place to fish, sun and swim or just take it easy.
For those in need of renting a kayak, they are available at the State Park
(904) 460-9111. Please reserve them ahead of time. Rates are: Single Kayak
(4 hours) $40. Tandem Kayak (4 hours) $50. You can also rent from Kayak St.
Augustine (904) 315-8442 for all day rentals: $40 (single); $50 (tandem).
http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia for more information.
Afterwards we will get a bite to eat in historic St. Augustine, or if some
prefer, can take a swim in the ocean. Leader Victor C. cell 904-517-2321 or
home 904-220-2502. As a courtesy,
please call Victor if your plans change if you are unable to attend. A
"guest release and Indemnity Agreement" form must be signed for each event.
Blank waivers will be available at the event. However, please help reduce
registration time prior to the event by printing the liability waiver (http://www.sidetrackers.com/documents/Forms-Guestwaiver.pdf)
and turn
in your completed /signed form to the trip leader at the event. The guest
release is not required for members who have signed the annual waiver and
paid $15 annual fee. Members are covered by our supplemental Insurance
policy.
Sat 9/29, 11:00 am, Otttis Castle Tour in Vilano Beach: Castle Otttis is
an impression of an Irish castle of 1,000 years ago. The interior was
created under guidance of historians from the Catholic Diocese of Northeast
Florida. Enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean, Vilano Beach and St Augustine
from the roof top of its towers (103 3rd St, St Augustine, FL 32084 on
highway A1A three miles north of St. Augustine).
Free tour, and Free Will Donations appreciated. After the tour some of
our Sidetrackers will be having lunch at Caps Restaurant on the intracoastal
waterway. You are welcome to join us.
Directions to car pool: meet at 10:00 am at the Jacksonville Library at
10599 Deerwood Park Boulevard near JTB and Gate Parkway. (For those that
wish to meet at the castle, notify the trip leader and meet between 10:30 -
10:45 at 103 3rd St, St Augustine, FL 32084 on highway A1A three miles north
of St. Augustine.) Trip Leader: Vicki Andrews 904-504-9432
For more info on the web
http://www.castleotttis.com/
Wed 10/3, Monthly
Meeting: NEW
LOCATION - South Mandarin Regional Library,12125 San Jose Blvd,
Jacksonville, FL 32223 (904) 288-6385. Located at the intersection of San
Jose Boulevard and Orange Picker Road, about two miles south of I-295. |
