Cedar Key Kayaking Weekend. Come spend the weekend on Florida's Nature Coast.  We will meet for breakfast Saturday morning at 9 am and proceed to Shell Mound County Park.  We will kayak to Derrick Key and then, weather permitting, along the gulf shore to Deer Island for lunch.   From Deer Island, we will take the "inside passage" to return to the park.  Total trip length about 7 miles.  Highlights of the trip will include viewing of wintering bird life and the Indian shell mounds.  There is also a short nature trail and camping area.  For those interested, we will be dining Saturday night at one of the local establishments.  For those that want to stay longer, we will explore the nearby keys by kayak Sunday eating lunch on one of many island beaches.  Local accommodations, to be made individually, include hotels, condos, cottages, and camping.  Participation limited to 10 adults, either members or their guests.  Sit-on-top kayaks not recommended due to water temperatures of the season.  Experienced kayakers only. Spray skirts highly recommended.   Event hosts Scott McCann and Jamie Aiello notboredyet@yahoo.com .  

4/7-4/9
Friday-Sunday
Moderate
Lake Wales

Backpack and Camp Beside Lake Arbuckle.  On Friday, we will car camp in the Lake Wales Ridge area.  On Saturday, we will do approximately a 3 1/2 mile backpack trip to our campsite on Lake Arbuckle.  It is a beautiful area and we have a really good group of people who go on the backpacking trips.  Reservations required.  Contact Nancy for times and meeting place.  Event Host Nancy Doucette kayakldy@yahoo.com

4/14-4/16
Fri-Sun
Mid morning
Moderate
White Springs

Hike, Paddle Suwannee River & Camp.  It's great to be up by the Suwannee in the Spring time. We'll meet in White Springs Friday, mid morning.  Trip will include some hiking and paddling options - the FL Trail goes through the park, along the river. We will paddle the Suwannee near White Springs, possibly including the Shoals, a rapid which can be easily portaged if preferred.   Camping  at Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in White Springs - Erica has Gopher site # 27. (Reserve America 800-326-3521).  Early Easter Sunday morning the Carillon bells will be playing.  Contact Erica for the plan.  Reservations required.  Members and one invited guest.  Event Host:  Erica Johnson paddlepuff@earthlink.net or 407-327-4044

4/22
Saturday
8:30 am
Leisure
Deleon Springs

De Leon Springs Family Paddle.  This leisure paddle is for children and adults of all ages and will be at De Leon Springs State Park and paddle time will be about 1 hour.  It will be on open water.  We will meet at 0830, start at 0900.  Those interested will have a pancake breakfast at the mill at 1030 or 11 based on group preference (reservations will be made immediately before the paddle).  Try the swimming/playground/hiking trails after the paddle on your own.  Bring a child-like spirit and/or a child, snack, drinks, sun screen, and squirt guns.  Fee is $3 per person, or $5 per car.  Rentals are available, but advise that you call ahead and reserve.  DeLeon Springs is just off hwy. 17 just beyond the town of DeLeon Springs.  Members and invited guests.  Limit 12 boats. Depart 9:00. Reservations required.  Host: Bill Maish billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407 375 4406.

4/23
Sunday
8:30 
Leisure
Christmas

Hike Seminole Ranch Christmas, FL.  Meet at 8:30 in the parking lot of the Burger King at the corner of Hwy 50 and Alafaya Trail to carpool.  This is a combined hike with Florida Trails.  We will then proceed to Orlando Wetlands Park to access the trailhead to Seminole Ranch.  Bring snacks and water.  Hike is approx 6 miles thru lush sub-tropical forest.  Reservations requested.  Event Host Lynn VanHorne LynnV@oco.net or 407-331-8609

5/6
Saturday
9:15 AM
Leisure
Weeki Wachee

Weeki Wachee Paddle.  If you travel due west on Route 50, you will end at Route 19 and one of the 27 first magnitude springs in the state.  This crystal clear water flows 10 miles to the Gulf and attracts a variety of birds, otters, and often a manatee or three.  This is a great beginners' paddle as the first 5 miles is more like a float.  Meet at the Weeki Wachee Canoe Outpost (turn into the Weeki Wachee tourist trap parking lot and drive to the back left hand corner).  We will run our own shuttle to Rogers Park.  The leisurely paddle will take about 3 hours, including a stop for an early lunch at a beach along the way.  Those with energy to spare may want to continue through the canals out to the Gulf where a few of us claimed an island in the name of the Trekkers a few years ago!  Rentals are available from the Outpost at 352-597-0360.  Call early to reserve a boat.  Limit 15 boats. $5 to put in, $2 to take out.  Please be unloading your boat by 9:15!  Event host Judy Campbell judyreads@earthlink.net or 407-788-8919

5/7
Sunday
1 - 4 PM
Leisure
Sanford
 

5/13
Saturday
8:30 AM
Leisure
Longwood

Wekiva Marina/Rock Springs Paddle.  This leisurely and mostly shaded paddle is for children and adults of all ages and starts at the Wekiva Marina.  Enjoy the birds, water plants, turtles, fish, and the laughter.  We will paddle upstream 35 min, enjoy sandbar/break, then paddle back 20 min.  We will meet at 0830, start at 0900.   Bring a child-like spirit and/or a child, snack, drinks, sun screen, and squirt guns.  Fee is $3 per boat at Marina.  Rentals are available, but advise that you call ahead and reserve.  Head W on 434 from I-4, go R on Wekiva Springs Road 3.3 mi, then R on Miami Springs Road 0.3 mi.  Members and invited guests.  Limit 12 boats. Reservations required.  Host: Bill Maish billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407 375 4406.

5/27 - 5/29
Saturday - Monday 
Leisure
Longwood

Rock Springs Paddle and Camp.  We will put in on Saturday for a very leisurely paddle on Rock Springs with river camping.  On Sunday, we will continue on down the Wekiva River with a lot of swimming and hanging from rope swings. That night will be spent at Buffalo Tram on the Wekiva.  On Monday, we will actually paddle a little to finish the trip.  This trip is not for the hard-core paddler.  Contact host for meeting time and location.  Event Host Nancy Doucette kayakldy@yahoo.com

6/10
Saturday
7:45 AM
Moderate-Strenuous
Deland

Lake Norris Paddle.  This open water paddle starts on a short dark creek paddling into a beautiful dwarf cypress-lined lake.  Enjoy the birds, water plants, fish, and good company.  Directions from I4 and SR 46: W on SR 46, R (N) on CR 46A 5.6 mi, L (W) on SR 44 1.2mi, R (N) on CR 437 1.7 mi, R (E) on CR 44A 0.5 mi., L (N) on Lake Norris Rd 2.4 mi., park at conservation area just before the bridge.  Meet at 0745, depart at 0800.    Paddle time will be 3-5hr depending on wind and weather conditions.  Difficulty rating will vary based on these too.  Bring a lunch, sun screen, and plenty of drinks.  Members and invited guests.  Limit 12 boats. Reservations required.  Host: Bill Maish billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407 375 4406.