ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
 

Sat 5/10, 10:00am, Photo Scavenger Hunt at Jacksonville Arboretum: We will meet at the Jacksonville Arboretum parking lot at 10:00am. (1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, just off Monument Rd.) This is the second and LAST roll-out of this very well-received event which should accommodate all those from the wait list from the one in March. There will be a limit of 31 people. This event is a competition among teams. The group will be divided into 5 teams of 6. The event leader has taken photos of objects (natural and man-made) along the lovely, winding trails of the arboretum. Each team will have a leader/navigator who has walked the arboretum before (a route map will be issued) and one photographer (cell phones are fine) to match each of the photos the event leader has taken. Each team will be provided sheets of these photos. All the members of the team will be the spotters. The team which collects/matches the most photos correctly and arrives back at the parking lot first will win the team prize which is being donated by the event leader. (In the case of a tie at the finish, the team with the most correct matches wins.) We can decide where we might like to go to lunch after the hunt. Because of the use of cameras, this event will not be held in the rain – Rain date will be Sun., 5/11/14 at 10:00am. NOTE: This is a popular event which is limited to 31 people, and we want to have the same number of people on each team. Last time 11 out of 30 people were no-shows which was not well-received. The leader will take names of no-shows for future board discussions. Please give several days’ notice on Meetup.com so that people who are on the wait list can join. Leader: Tim S., cell # 904-705-3335.

Fri-Sun 5/16–18, Skidaway Island Camping (Savannah, GA): SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY.  We will meet at 5:00 pm, Friday, May 16th at McDonalds at Airport Center Road, exit 363A.  This is approximately a 2 hour drive.  This is a State Park South of Savannah, GA. Kayaking, biking, hiking and site seeing of Historic Savannah is on the agenda.  Two cabins and 1 campsite have been reserved.  Cabins sleep 5 people.  Cabins are approximately $55 per person for 2 nights.  Campsites are $35 per campsite for 2 nights, with up to 8 people per site.  Cabins and Campsites are close in proximity.  Leader, Vic will coordinate cabin and campsite arrangements.  Please state your preference when signing-up for trip.  Activities planned are: Friday night Ghost tour, biking and hiking at Tybee Island and kayaking at the State Park on Sunday.  You can bring your own kayak and bike or rent on site from the State Park.  You cannot reserve kayaks ahead of time.  Reservations are first come, however, there are plenty available.

Bring sunscreen, plenty of water, food for grilling/cooking, snacks, camera /binoculars.  Leader Victor, (cell) 904-517-2321.  Food arrangements will be coordinated closer to trip departure.

For additional information, please check the website:  http://gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland

Sun 5/25, 8:00am, Florida Folk Festival - Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL:  We will meet at McDonalds on Chaffee Road off I-10 and leave shortly thereafter to head for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.  We will carpool, but be sure that you are riding with someone who does not have a time schedule other than yours; ex:  I will be staying late to hear the last performer at 10:00 p.m.  You may want to bring a chair and/or a blanket, hat, rain gear, suntan lotion, and a cooler for food and drink (no alcohol) if you want your own instead of the great food offered by vendors.  There is a beer garden.  I usually take a cooler to save money. Now, what is the festival about?  "Somewhere between the Seminole fry bread, African crafts, Appalachian folk music and Cuban dance, you'll discover that the state of Florida enjoys one of America's most diverse cultural landscapes.  And the Florida Folk Festival celebrates it all.  Over 400 singers, dancers and storytellers will entertain on 15 stages, and numerous artists, crafters and cooks will share their talents.  Plus, statewide fiddle and banjo contests and a wide array of hands-on activities..."  It is a three-day festival, but Sunday is when the featured performer sings.  You can choose the amount of exercise you get.  You can sit for hours listening to music at one stage or you may wonder back and forth across the park listening to performers at various stages (in doing that you will not lack for exercise.)

Usually the day is hot and you will be tempted to buy some of the best homemade ice cream you have ever tasted. The festival is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.  If you would like, contact me via Meetup.com or bring your money/check to the May 7th meeting of Sidetrackers, and I will order our tickets.  You may also order your own ticket by calling:  1-877-635-3655.  For further information, check-out www.floridafolkfestival.com.  Leader: Marta W. cell 904-635-7170.  If you are not at McDonalds by 8:00 a.m., please notify the leader by phone so we will know you are on your way.  White Springs where the Festival is located is 59 miles from McDonalds and about an hour's drive.

Wed 6/4,   6:30 PM, Monthly Members and Planning Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Sat/Sun 6/7 & 6/8 8:00am, Mountain Biking and Camping, Santos (Ocala) FL:                  Meet at 8 am, Sat, June 7th at McDonalds in Bartram Park (Old St. Augustine Rd just west of I-95 Exit 335).  Depart at 8:30 for approximate 2 hour drive to Santos Trailhead next to Santos Campground (3080 SE 80th St, Ocala, FL 34480). http://www.omba.org/santos-campground.html

Intermediate mountain bike ride at 11 am from the parking lot (with bathroom facility) just west of the campground.  Bring sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water for the ride.  Helmets are required. Ride at own risk. Link:  SANTOS & VORTEX AREA BIKE TRAILS.

For those that would like to camp and ride again Sunday morning, campsites are $22 per campsite, with a maximum two tents, two vehicles and 8 people per site.  Post comment if you wish to camp.  We will book sites on May 11.  Food arrangements will be coordinated closer to trip departure. Leader: Steve D 561.602.8613 cell, ste_dor 'at' bellsouth.net.

Additional information about these activities and events may be announced at monthly meetings and on our Meetup.com/Sidetrackers trip reservation pages.

2014 Monthly Meeting Schedule.  Locations Will Be Announced.
MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first non-holiday Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
and the location may vary.  Subscribers to our Meetup.com group receive an automatic reminder message in their email two days before the meeting.

The Sidetrackers Newsletter
Our newsletter is maintained by Chris who can be reached by email at newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.
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
Members pay a small annual fee to help share the annual cost of maintaining this web site and the small costs of running the club.  Members are not required to submit a Guest Waiver Form at each Sidetrackers trip, activity or event.  Membership applications are accepted throughout the year.  Please visit our Membership page, 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...
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