June-July 2007

May 19 Saturday 10 AM Moderate New Smyrna Beach	Mosquito Lagoon Paddle . Meet at JB Fish Camp on A1A, just before the entrance to the Canaveral National Seashore. We will caravan from there to the put in point. We will paddle the open water of the lagoon, then follow the marked canoe trail through the islands. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen and bug spray (they don’t call it Mosquito Lagoon for nothing). Contact Fred Mays at 407-963-4308 or fredmays@yahoo.com.
May 20 Sunday 10:00 AM Moderate Sarasota	Myakka River State Park Hike. State Park admission fees are $5.00 per vehicle for up to 8 people. Hike about 10 miles (North Loop) at a leisurely pace. This State Park is one of Florida’s largest and most diverse natural areas with wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. For park info: www.MyakkaRiver.org and www.FloridaStateParks.org/MyakkaRiver To camp overnight, please contact www.ReserveAmerica.com at 800-326-3521. Cathy Edwards oviedoedwards@earthlink.net 407-716-9811
June 3 Sunday Time TBD by participants Moderate Ormond Beach	Bulow Creek State Park Hike - No entrance fee required for this hike. Meet at the trailhead parking area on Monument Road. Bulow Plantation was established in 1821 when 2,200 acres were cleared by slave labor and planted in sugar cane, cotton, rice and indigo. It was burned during the Second Seminole War in 1836 but the ruins of the sugar mill and springhouse still remain. The trail passes through young forest, old-growth hammocks with live oaks up to 200 years old. We’ll cross several streams and finally emerge at Marsh Point for a panoramic view of the pristine marsh. Cameras are a must for this hike. www.FloridaStateParks.org Cathy Edwards oviedoedwards@earthlink.net 407-716-9811. If you are planning to attend, please let me know by Wed May 30 so we can agree on a starting time that is most convenient.
June 16 Saturday 9:00 AM Leisure Dunnellon	Rainbow River Paddle - The river begins at Rainbow Springs State Park. We’ll launch a short distance downstream at a county park, and first paddle upstream into the state park. The remainder of this trip is downstream. There will be swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Members and invited guests only. Be at the launch, and un-loaded by 9:00AM. Bring lunch, water, & sunscreen. IMPORTANT: No disposable containers are allowed. For launch site info, contact Sue Chisefsky at schisefsky@tampabay.rr.com or Erica at paddlepuff@earthlink.net
June 23 Saturday 9:00 AM Leisure Apopka	Wekiwa Springs Leisure Family Paddle – Meet at 9:00 AM at the Spring Head area. We will paddle a short distance (20-30 minutes) and see several types of turtles, birds, and other wildlife on the way up and back from the sand bar play/rest area. Bring a snack for a break; sun lotion, and plenty of fluids. Cost: $5.00 State Park entrance fee (2 to 8 people in 1 car). We will share a kayak dolley for moving our boats from the parking lot down to the launch area. Canoe & kayak rentals available/407-884-4311. Take Interstate 4 to Exit 94, take State Road 434 West to Wekiwa Springs Road. Turn Right on Wekiwa Springs Road, and travel approximately 4 miles to Park entrance on the right. Members and invited guests only. Limit: 12. Host: Bill Maish Email to register at billsplash@bellsouth.net or call 407-375-4406.
June 29 Friday 8:00 PM Leisure Winter Park	Moonlight Paddle – Winter Park Chain of Lakes – We will explore Lake Virginia, Lake Osceola, and Lake Maitland by moonlight dring 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 8:00PM, 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.
July 1 Sunday 8:30 AM Leisure Altamonte Springs	Lake Lotus Nature Preserve – Join Erimi and I for a leisurely hike at Lake Lotus Nature Preserve. This passive park is approximately 150 acres of mostly woods and wetlands, a one mile boardwalk, playground equipment, picnic pavilions, fishing dock (bring a fishing pole and binoculars if you wish) and an enclosed pavilion that serves as natures window over the Lake. Meet at the parking lot on the southeast corner of Magnolia Homes Road and Maitland Boulevard at 8:15 AM and the shuttle will take us into the park. Families and children welcome. Call or email Eric Kendrick to confirm attendance 407-970-3373 or jerickendrick@hotmail.com
July 7 Saturday 10:00 AM Leisure Longwood	Wekiva River Paddle – with swimming & lunch at State Park – We will paddle from Wekiwa Marina upstream 30-45 minutes, and tie-up our boats to the pedestrian bridge or nearby rockwall (bring rope). We will get wet getting out of our boats in the shallow, clear water & eat our packed lunches within view of our boats. We’ll swim & play in the Wekiwa Springs waters, then paddle back to our put-in location. Bathrooms are available once in the State Park. Cost: $5.00 cash (each/own boat) for Kings Landing; another $1.00 per person to enter the State Park (honor system/wooden cash box). Canoes available for rent/407-862-1500 Wekiwa Marina 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, FL 32779. Pack lunch(es), drinking water, and bug spray! Come playful. Families/kids welcomed! Host: Valerie Mundo VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM or RSVP 407-324-0401 Trip is cancelled
July 9-13 Mon.- Fri. Time TBD Strenuous Salem, MO	The Current River, Missouri – River Camping – 5 days – Join Nancy Doucette, our own Wilderness Trekker, and experienced, avid paddler & camper for 5 days of river-camping adventure. Montauk State Park, Missouri. I am flexible with the paddling/camping schedule. I have seen more birds and wildlife on this river than anywhere else. It’s so beautiful, with crystal clear water and Ozark vistas/cliffs with caves. Designated National Scenic Riverways Program. Flatwater, springs-fed, constant flow of 58-60 degree fresh water. Cameras a must. If this trip sounds like it’s for you, contact Host: Nancy Doucette (561) 968-1789 or kayakldy@yahoo.com
July 21 Saturday 8:15 AM Leisure Deland	DeLeon Springs Leisure Paddle – Meet at State Park ($5.00/car entrance fee charged). We will take a casual pace for a 1.5 to 2 mile paddle to view nature and appreciate some of the wonderful beauty in Florida. Expect to see a variety of birds and reptiles. Bring snacks, and consider sharing a pancake lunch (Reservations to be made before the group takes off). Boat rental available – call to arrange ahead of time, if needed 386-985-5644. The park has a playground area, nature center, & swimming near the run. Take US Highway 17 North from Deland for approximately six miles, following the State Park signs. Turn left onto Ponce DeLeon Blvd. and you will travel one mile (+/-) to the entrance. Members and invited guests only. Limit: 12. Host: Bill Maish – email to register billsplash@bellsouth.net or 407-375-4406
July 28 Saturday 8:30 AM Leisure Winter Park-Maitland	Winter Park/Maitland Chain of Lakes Paddle – We’ll put in our boats at Dinky Dock near Rollins College, in prestigious Winter Park (no fees & bathrooms on site). We’ll start our paddle in Lake Virginia, take a beautiful, wood-framed, bridged canal to Lake Osceola where we’ll tour the partial perimeter until we reach another canal – lovely flora & fauna as well as architechtural sites to see all around us – we’ll enter Lake Maitland & paddle to Dog Island for a break from the paddling, to relax, sun ourselves, snack & get better acquainted. No pressure today. We’ll paddle straight back. Anticipated return time 12:30-1:00PM. Bring plenty of drinking water, snacks, binoculars, camera, bathingsuit, suntan lotion. There’s a tiny beach on the island, in case you want to take a dip! Host: Valerie Mundo VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM or 407-324-0401 to RSVP.
August 19 Sunday 4:00-8:00 PM Leisure Apopka	WT Ice Cream Social - Kelly Park-Rock Springs. Join Wilderness Trekkers at Kelly Park for natures own spring-fed lazy river float 4:00 to 6:00 PM; grilling (hot coals provided) 6:00 to 7:00 PM; and an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social 7 o’clock. We’ll provide the ice cream. Bring your own meat to grill, and a dish to share. Join us for all or part of the evening. There is a $1.00 fee to enter this Orange County Park. It is crowded before 4 o’clock so that is why we are starting later. Tubes can be rented outside the entrance. Look for the WT signs. This park is a jewel with cold spring water, big playgrounds, and even a short hike. Registration appreciated. Hosts: Lynn and Kurth LynnV@oco.net or 407-331-8609.