ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
 

Wed 7/1, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting and Planning Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Mon 7/3, 6:30pm, Urban Walk - Riverside Park: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from Riverside to The Landings.

Sat 7/4, Annual Fourth of July Picnic at Hanna Park: Sidetrackers Members Only.

Wed 7/08, 5:45pm, Urban Walk – San Marco Area: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from San Marco to The Landings.

Sat 7/11, 9:00am, Mountain Biking at Tillie Fowler: Come join us for a fun morning of mountain biking at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. Let’s meet between 9:00 - 9:15 am at the first parking area inside the entrance. Intermediate ride on the off road trails begins at 9:30 am. The south end of the park contains a small network of off road bike trails varying from beginner to advanced skill levels. The main loop is Whistling Kitty Chaser aka WKC, this is the beginner trail that is just over a 1.5 miles. Branching off of WKC are the more advanced trails, these contain features from rollers and berms to steep ladder bridges. All of the bike trails are signed to indicate the required skill levels, please do not ride over your limits. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water for the ride. Helmets are required. Ride at own risk. Link to WKC Trail Map For those interested, we will have lunch afterwards at Trent's Seafood. Leader: Steve D. 561.602.8613 ste_dor 'at' bellsouth.net Located at: Tillie Fowler Park is located at: 7000 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville.

Mon 7/13, 5:45pm, Urban Walk - Riverside Park: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from Riverside to The Landings.

Thur 7/16, 5:45pm, Urban Walk – San Marco Area: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from San Marco to The Landings.

Sat 7/18, 9:30am, Mountain Biking at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park: See Meetup.com for up to the minute details.

7/19 Sun, 10:00am, Paddle at Dutton Island: Immerse yourselves in a journey of exploration and solace in the protected and marked canoe trails of Dutton Island. Paddle along and through a meandering salt marsh creek teeming with wildlife such as roseate spoonbills, fish eagles, herons, egrets, and schools of shrimp skipping across the water, perhaps a manatee and much, much more… It is an easy paddle and a great place to try kayaking for the first time. We will paddle the north route for approximately 3 hours. Canoe Trail Map http://www.jaxintracoastalpaddling.org/images/CanoeTrail.pdf
Since this is a last minute trip, participants will need to make their own arrangements for kayak or canoe rentals. Check with First Coast Outfitters at 904.502.7733 or All Wet Sports at 904.646.9887.
We will meet at 10:00 AM at Dutton Island Preserve. From Atlantic Blvd, head north on Mayport Road, turn left on Dutton Island Rd (at traffic light) and follow road to the kayak/canoe launch site parking lot (near the pavilion). You will drive through a community and past the Dutton Island parking lot. Follow road to left to the pavilion near the canoe launch. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and bug spray.
Leader: Steve D. 561.602.8613

Mon 7/20, 5:45pm, Urban Walk - Riverside Park: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from Riverside to The Landings.

Sat 7/22, 6:45pm, Biking the Baldwin Trail, Jacksonville: We will meet in the parking lot at 6:30pm. Just west of bustling downtown Jacksonville, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail, one of north Florida's oldest, traverses a rural setting of hardwood uplands, wetlands and pine flatwoods. A dense tree canopy shelters much of the nearly 15-mile paved path, providing habitat for hawks, wood storks, stilts and belted kingfishers. You're also likely to encounter turkeys, alligators, rabbits, gopher, tortoises and coral snakes. Beware the latter, a venomous species with wide black and red bands broken by narrow yellow rings! The Imeson Road trailhead, closest to Jacksonville, is a good place to start an out-and-back journey of 29 miles. To reach the Imeson Road trailhead from downtown Jacksonville, take I-10 west to Exit 356/I-295 North and head up I-295 to Exit 9/Commonwealth Avenue. Drive west on Commonwealth about 1 mile to Imeson and turn right. The marked trailhead is on the left. (This ride was originally scheduled for Winter Garden, FL but it was changed because of the 160 mile drive. This one is less than 10 miles!) We can decide where we might like to go to lunch after the ride. See Meetup.com for current leader information.

Thur 7/23, 5:45pm, Urban Walk – San Marco Area: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from San Marco to The Landings.

Sun 7/26, 7:00 am, Ichetucknee Springs River Tubing, Snorkeling & Float Trip, Fort White, FL:

Meet at 7:00am at the McDonalds on Chafee Road (off I-10) for the 1½hour trip; Carpooling available.

Come swim, snorkel or float down the Ichetucknee River and beat the heat! We’ll try to enter at the State Park’s north entrance so we can experience the full spring run. The park only allows 750 people to float from the north entrance each day, 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 take the park 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. ​ 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). It’s a 90 minute drive to Fort White. Leader: Julie H. 904-424-1548. http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm

Sat 8/1, 8:30 am, Mill Creek Preserve Hike: Enjoy a morning hike at Mill Creek Preserve in Alachua County, which was owned by the Timber Baron of Florida. This tract of land is a mixture of sinkholes and disappearing springs with its Southernmost American beech forest with towering swamp Chestnut Oaks. We will meet at 8:30 am at McDonald's at 705 Chaffee Road by Interstate I-10 next to Winn Dixie. There is no parking fee and plenty of parking spaces. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, plenty of water and wear proper clothing and shoes for heat and soft trails. This preserve is south of Lake City and north of Gainesville, Florida. We will do the 3 mile loop and, if you're not overwhelmed by heat, we will either do the 1.5 mile trail or hit another trail in the area. I can’t emphasize enough on knowing your limitations. Please wear the proper clothing and bring plenty of water. Some folks can get dehydrated in a very short time, especially on a short hike. For more information, see: http://floridahikes.com/mill-creek-preserve.

Mon 8/3, 6:45pm, Urban Walk - Riverside Park: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from Riverside to The Landings

Wed 8/5, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Thur 8/06, 6:45pm, Urban Walk – San Marco Area: Come join us for a lovely 5-6 mile walk from San Marco to The Landings.

Sat 8/8, 9:30am: Indoor Rock Climbing in Jacksonville: Ever climb a rock, or a wall? Here is your chance to a try it with the club. We will meet at The Edge Rock Gym located at 3563 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32207, 904-683-2512. Orientation and getting geared up will be first on the agenda beginning about 9:40am. 9:30-11:30am is the gym's slack time so be on time so we can time to do the climb several times before the crowds show up .The cost will be $16.05 per person. Climbing shoes are $4 and a bag of chalk $3 which is good for 3-4 folks .There are a few snacks and a coke machine available on site. We will have lunch nearby afterwards. Attire: Suggested as ‘yoga’ type, including tennis shoes, no cargo pants/shorts and no open toe shoes. For additional information, please view their web page at: http://www.theedgerockgym.com

8/14-16, Fri-Sun: Scalloping/Snorkel Trip, Steinhatchee, FL: Come spend a few days on the beautiful waters of the Gulf side of Florida. Saturday will,be a full day in the sun and water. We will depart early Saturday morning for 6-7 hours. There will be 6 people on one boat for $350. Fee includes, gas, license, snorkel and mask. You will be snorkeling in 2 to 5 feet of water for scallops. To make things a bit easier, you may want to bring your own mesh bag for collecting scallops and swim fins. There is also a house for staying overnight for $150 a night (2 night's ) plus $50 cleaning cost in all scallop harvesting, two night stay and cleaning cost would run about $119 a person. As always, bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Other food arrangements will be made closer to the departure date. If you wish to go money must be paid up front to San-da-rah, ASAP. Please contact her on where to mail or hand her the money. Event leader San-da-rah at: 904 881 7439. Meeting location: Friday 8/14/15 at 6.00pm. McDonalds at: 705 Chaffee Rd. at Chaffee Road and Interstate I-10 by Winn Dixie Grocery. Please make arraignments ahead of time for carpooling. The destination is on the Gulf and is approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive. Let’s hope for dry weather! For more information about scalloping see: http://www.steinhatcheescalloping.com/

Sat 8/29, 5:30pm, Dinner at The Yearling & Night Zip at The Canyons, Ocala: Are you ready to fly into the night? This is zipping at its finest and something that no other thrill ride can match! You’ll travel through the night with glo sticks to light the way. This tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and includes five zip lines and one rope bridge (ground school is also included, of course). The night will be complete when you take a glorious flight over water on the famous "Break Out" zip. There are no more excuses not to zip! So come and experience what everyone is talking about! Cost is $83.74 ($79 + tax). I have reserved all 8 spots for the 8:30 PM Night Zip. To make your reservation, call The Canyons at 352-351-ZIPS (9477) and request one of the seven extra spots held by Steve Dorsey. If all eight spots are filled, ask about availability for the 8 PM Tour (6 spots available as of 7/26/15). If there is enough interest, theymay be willing to add another tour. The website for The Canyons is www.zipthecanyons.com. Please click website link to review cancellation policy. We will eat dinner at the Yearling Restaurant at 5:30 PM and leave for The Canyons at 7:30 PM. For those going directly to The Canyons, meet at The Canyons at 8 PM (for the 8:30 PM night zip). The Yearling Restaurant, 14531 East County Road 325, Hawthorne, Florida 32640 352-466-3999http://yearlingrestaurant.net/ (approximately1 hour 45 minute drive from Jacksonville) The Canyons Zip line and Canopy Tours, 8045 NW Gainesville Rd. (CR 25A), Ocala, FL 34475 352-351-ZIPS (9477)www.zipthecanyons.com (approximately 2 hours from Jacksonville) Leader: Steve D, cell/text 561.602.8613, email ste_dor 'at' bellsouth.net. Optional Weekend Excursion prices noted in Meetup.com

Sun 8/30, 9:00am, Mountain Biking at Santos Mountain, Ocala:: Meet at 9 am at the Santos Trailhead (3080 SE 80th St, Ocala, FL 34480). This is approximately two hours from Jacksonville. We are meeting at the Trailhead since the leader and others are staying at The Yearling on Saturday. Intermediate mountain bike ride at 9:30 am from the parking lot next to the Skills Course. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water for the ride. Helmets are required. Ride at own risk. Link: SANTOS & VORTEX AREA BIKE TRAILS Leader: Steve D, cell/text 561.602.8613, email ste_dor 'at' bellsouth.net. http://www.omba.org/maps.html

Wed 9/2, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Fri-Sun 9/18-9/20, 8:00am, James Island County Park Trip and Charleston, SC: Come join us for a fun long weekend to beautiful Charleston, SC. We will depart early Friday morning, September 18 at 8:00 a.m. and return on Sunday September 20, leaving at 1pm. Meeting location to be decided at a later date. The cost of the trip is $52 per person for housing for 2 nights. We will need money to hold reservations A.S.A.P. Mail your check to: Vic Corrales, 1321 Gately Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. The trip will be to James Island County Park, a 500 acre park with cottages and camping, a lake, kayaks, canoes and bike rentals. The park also has a challenge course, climbing wall and a waterpark. This area provides for $10 shuttle service to Historic Charleston, Foley Beach, as well as Patriots Point where you can tour the U.S.S. Yorktown. The Cottages have 1 bunk bed for 2 and 3 queen beds. If you don’t wish to double up on the queen bed, plan on bringing an air mattress. We’re looking at 8 folks per cottage. If you wish to camp, then you will be responsible for your own reservations. Due to timing, the first to pay gets to stay in a cottage. This trip will be offered first to fully paid Sidetrackers members only. On this trip, plan on kayaking, biking and hiking Charleston and Ft Sumter. As a bonus, we plan on eating at wonderful restaurants and eateries. I have looked into a kayak tour to the Fort as well as kayaking around Foley Beach. There is the Magnolia Plantation and Garden, which have been around since 1678, plus nearby trails to hike as well as ghost tours in the Historic area. We plan on doing a group meeting for arraigning events and to collect money for group discounts for future events. Expect to leave no later than 8:00am Friday morning. It’s a 3.5 hours to drive to Charleston. Perhaps we can check into an activity along the way. Leader: Victor, 904 517-2321. As a courtesy, please call Vic if your plans change and you are unable to attend. For additional information, check out the website: https://www.ccprc.com/68/James-Island-County-Park and http://www.adventuresightseeing.com/tour-e.cfm.

Wed 10/7, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

10/30-11/2, Fri-Mon, Table Rock State Park, South Carolina: This year our annual fall trip will be to Table Rock State Park in South Carolina. We will be departing on Friday, Oct 30^th and returning late afternoon/early evening, Monday, Nov 2, 2015. It’s a six hour drive so it’s best to be departing by 6:00 a.m. On Monday, we plan on leaving around noon. This trip is open to 2015 confirmed SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY! If you respond to a RSVP in Meetup.com, but are not a SIDETRACKERS member, you will be removed from the list. If you are on the RSVP list it will be your responsibility to provide payment to Victor Corrales or Kathy Donato. The cost is $80.00 if you are staying in the cabins. You can find Victor and/or Kathy at an event or at the April 1st members meeting. The other option is by mail. Send a check, payable to: Victor Corrales, 1321 Gatell Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Payment is to be received by April 15. We have a long list of Members trying to go on this event. If you are unable to participate, please change your status on Meetup.com. This will allow the next person on the waiting to join in on the trip. If you pay and need to cancel, we'll refund your money as long as someone takes your spot and it's not 2 weeks before we leave on trip. Some of the activities will be: hiking, kayaking and other fun things. The kayaking is available in Table Rock, but we're considering a kayak trip with an outfitter, 30 minutes north in North Carolina on the French Broad river; Class I, and I I Rapids near Roscoe, NC. There will be a group discount for 8 or more folks; $30 / person for 3hours. There is also hiking trails in and near state park, most are 1 to 4 miles, easy to moderate, as well as 2 very severe strenuous long hikes on Pinnacle Mt trail 6 miles, 26 ft. elevation gain and Table Rock trail 4 miles, 2433 elevation gain. The accommodations are 2 cabins: 1 for 6 folks and 1 cabin for 8 folks. The cabins have Wi-Fi, linens, cooking equipment, sleeping accommodations for 1 cabin are 2 bedrooms with 2 full beds and sleeper sofa. 1 cabin has 2 sets of bunk beds, sleeper sofa and 1 full bed. We will plan meals and transportation as we get closer to trip date and plan on a great Italian pasta night by Chef Tom and 1st line cook Vic . As soon as well have everyone paid up, some folks might consider renting a minivan. I have one reserved with a full load. If you're interested in getting a minivan and driving let me know so we can compile a list of how can drive or participate in renting a van. For any other questions call or txt me 904-5172321 Vic. Additional park information: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/tablerock

Wed 11/2, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Wed 12/2, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Non-members and their guests must fill out a liability waiver form, available here, before participating in any Sidetrackers event or activity.  Please note that Meetup group membership alone is not the same as Sidetrackers club membership.  For more information please visit our Membership page.

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

2015 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.

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