Past Issues

October/November 2006

9/29 Friday Mod/Strenuous Silver Springs	Silver River State Park Paddle Paddle the crystal clear waterway lined with cypress trees with birds, filled with fish, and lots of wildlife (including monkeys). We will meet at 9 am at the river access from the park. Bring water, sun lotion, paddle equipment, sack to put trash in, and a lunch. Bring your cart (or we will share ours) since access is 0.6 mile put-in. Definitely worth the drive from Orlando or other places. Located east of Ocala, one mile south of State Road 40 on State Road 35. Park access: $4/vehicle. 12 people maximum. Bill Maish, billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407 375 4406.
10/1- 6 Sunday to Friday Leisure Georgia	Hiking in NE Georgia Mountains. Arrive Sat 9/30; our first hike is Sunday morning 10/1 at Black Rock Mountain State Park. Erica will be staying near Dillard, GA and plans to do some easy to moderate day hikes (and a little sightseeing) at the state park, BartramTrail, Highlands area and other. Mountain streams, waterfalls, wildlife, great scenery, perhaps a little early fall color - it should be a wonderful trip. If you arrive early on Saturday, go to the Foxfire Fall Festival which is held nearby. Camping at Black Rock Mtn State Park (reservations at http://www.n-georgia.com/stateparks.htm), or space in a condo may be available. Members and invited guests only. Event Host: Erica Johnson 407/327-4044 or paddlepuff@earthlink.net
10/ 6 Friday 7:00 pm Leisure Winter Park	Moonlight Paddle – Winter Park Chain of Lakes. We will explore Lake Virginia, Lake Osceola and Lake Maitland by moonlight during this “Urban” Wilderness Trek. We plan to paddle the canals and lakes to Dog Island, where we will have a break and a campfire. The trek will start at 7:00, just when the full moon is rising. These beautiful lakes are connected by narrow canals built during the early part of the century to serve the logging industry and provide abundant opportunities to observe Osprey, Heron and Egret, and even an occasional gator. We will also be observing numerous homes and parks and possibly even have an encounter with the Winter Park Boat Tour. Further details and directions will be provided to registered participants. Open to members and the public. Event Host Shelley Claudin . Contact shelley.claudin@cubic.com or 407-758-2633.
10/14-15 Saturday to Sunday Strenuous Highlands	Backpacking/Camping. We will be packing approximately 3 miles to a campsite on Lake Arbuckle. It is near Avon Park Bombing range. We plan to swim and relax in the afternoon, and pack out on Sunday. This is a beautiful place to camp. Nancy Doucette (561)968-1789 kayakldy@yahoo.com
10/20 - 22 Friday to Sunday Leisure Chassawitzka	Paddling Club Gathering. Come for a weekend or a day of paddling and mingling with paddlers from other clubs. We are hosting this event this year. There will be choice of several paddle trips each day on spring fed rivers, including the Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Crystal River, Weeki Wachee and more. After you arrive, check in at the Pavilion to get the agenda and select the trips you wish to go on. Friday trips will leave around 10:30 from the campground, Sat trips will be earlier and there will be one around 10 for latecomers. Early evening paddle Friday. Camp fire both nights. Pot luck supper Sat at the Pavilion. Contests at Sat night campfire: club skits and tall tales; contest to rename the event (send suggestions to paddlepuff@earthlink.net). Reserve campsite at Chassahowitzka River Campground 352/382-2200 and mention Paddling Gathering/ Wilderness Trekkers. Camping rates, not including tax: (one unit per site/2 people; extra person $3) $15 non-electric tent site, or $20 full hook-up; (electric only sites are full). Canoe rentals available at the Chassahowitzka launch. No registration fee, but if you¹re thinking of coming please email lindamarie7@juno.com - give your name, town & club, and whether you might want to find carpool partners. Further info about the weekend, or to offer help contact Erica Johnson paddlepuff@earthlink.net or 407/327-4044, or Linda Leeds lindamarie7@juno.com
10/28-29 Saturday to Sunday Moderate	Annual Peace River Halloween Paddle - We’ll paddle from Fort Meade to Zolfo Springs, enjoying the twists and turns and possibly miniscule rapids on the upper river. Should water levels permit, we might even be able to start at Bartow, an unusual situation. Car-camping Friday night, riverbank camping Saturday night. Start thinking about your pumpkin design! May have to limit numbers, so call asap. Linda Leeds, lindamarie7@juno.com, 683-2851.
11/4 Saturday Leisure 3 p.m. Longwood	Pedal and Paddle. Meet at the host's condo in the Shadowbay Subdivision in Longwood off 434 with your off-road bike and boat. First, we'll pedal over to the Audubon trail that starts in the Sabal Point subdivision. Bike ride is 2 miles paved and 7 miles unpaved but hard pack - not suitable for thin-tired bikes. Very scenic dirt/grass road to the Little Wekiva River. Then we'll peddle back, eat a potluck meal or order pizza (those who sign-up get to vote). Then, as the full moon rises, we will launch onto Lake Brantley and paddle it's perimeter. Both pedal and paddle are easy; it's a great way to enjoy the full moon and the pleasant company of Wilderness Trekker members. Limited to 12 bikes/boats Contact Judy Campbell. judyreads@earthlink.net or 407-788-8919. The Event is back on!
11/4-5 Saturday to Sunday 7:30 AM Moderate Marion	Ocklawaha Paddle and Camp. Join Fellow Trekkers for a 2-day trip on one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in Florida. We’ll meet at the Ocklawaha Outfitters on CR316 in Eureka at 7:30am sharp to begin the shuttle to Wayside Park. (Outfitter charges $15.00/boat) and plan to be on the water by 10am. After a short paddle up stream on the Silver River we’ll begin our downstream paddle to our campsite just before Gore’s Landing (approx. 8 miles). This is primitive camping alongside the river so participants will need to bring all appropriate camping equipment, food and water for lunches Sat & Sun, Sat dinner, and Sun breakfast. We’ll break camp and be on the water by 10am or so to paddle the final 7-8 miles to our takeout at the Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost RV Park. The Ocklawaha Outpost has camping and cabins to rent. Also canoes and kayaks. Please call 1-866-236-4606 and mention this WT trip. Members and invited guests only. Limited to 12 boats. Reservations required. Event host: Lee Simmons 386-846-8396 or leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred).
11/10-12 Friday to Sunday 4 p.m. DeLand	Wilderness Trekkers Annual Gathering 2006. River Forest Group Camp. We'll begin Friday, November 10 at 4 PM and enjoy games, a pot luck dinner. Join us for a weekend of outdoor activities, education, camaraderie, good food, and fresh air. We will be hiking, biking, and paddling with friends old and new. New activities are a games night in the screen porch on Friday night and a book discussion about A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith, a novelist with amazing research skills. It's about Florida when the entire state looked like our hikes and paddles. Look for a flyer in the mail and send in your registration soon. Look for more details in the website. Email or call Lynn VanHorne or 407-331-8609 for more information or if you need a flyer.
11/17 Friday Moderate	Fisheating Creek Paddle. November 17, we will stay in the campsite at Palm Dale on Fisheating Creek. On Saturday morning we will take a paid shuttle to Ingram's Crossing where we will put-in. We will spend Saturday night on the shore of the river. This river is one of the most beautiful and natural in Florida. If the water is low, we will move the trip to another place. Event Host: Nancy Doucette, (561)968-1789, kayakldy@yahoo.com
11/25 Saturday 8:30 a.m. Leisure	DeLeon Springs Family Paddle/Joint effort with Jane Goodall Roots @ Shoots--Enjoy fall flora, fauna, and fun. We will start paddle at about 910 (after those renting boats get signed in and we get a reservation submitted for the pancake breakfast after) then paddle about 45 min in towards Lake Woodruff, then turn around. Bring water, sun lotion, snack, small plastic sack to put trash in, and paddling equipment. Enjoy the nature trail, swimming, museum, playground, or history/eco tour if you want after our paddle. Take US Hwy 17 North from Deland for approximately six miles, following the State Park signs. Turn left onto Ponce DeLeon Blvd and you will travel approximately one mile to the entrance to DeLeon Springs State Park, $5/vehicle park entrance fee. 20 people maximum. Bill Maish, billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407 375 4406.
12/2 Saturday 5 p.m. Leisure	Wilderness Trekkers Seasons Greetings Holiday Potluck Party. Join us for our annual Holiday Party at the home of Shelley Claudin and Jimmy Helms at 5169 Tellson Place in Orlando. Dinner will be at 5:30. We’re going POTLUCK again. BRING A DISH! bring your favorite dish to share – contact the host for ideas! Also, bring your favorite beverage. We’ll have food, fun and meet new members and renew friendships. BRING A GIFT! We’ll have our Annual Chinese auction gift exchange (the gift you open may be taken from you by a subsequent person! It’s great fun!). Gifts may be old, new, silly, or something "only a Trekker would love" ($15 or under limit please). This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. RSVP by 11/25. Shelley Claudin or (407) 758-2633.