August/September 2004

7/31
Saturday
6 PM
Moderate
Marion

Silver River Moonlight Paddle -  Join us for a moonlight paddle on the Silver River. We'll meet at Wayside Park off Rte. 40 at 6:00 PM for a leisurely to moderate paddle up the Silver River to Silver Springs.  We will head upstream in the daylight, stop for a snack on the way up, and have a lovely float down under the rising July full moon. The moon is expected to rise around 8:48PM. Members and non-members welcome. Launch fee required, please bring 2 glow sticks and bug spray. Reservations required by July 17. Event Hosts: Shelley Claudin,407-281-7181 or shelley.claudin@cubic.com (preferred) and Judy Campbell 407-788-8919 or judyreads@earthlink.net (preferred).

8/1
Sunday
9:30 AM
Leisure
Seminole
 

Cross Seminole Trail Bike Ride - Meet at entrance to park, which is 750 feet to the west of the intersection of SR434 & SR417. Members, guests, families and children are all welcome. The ride is any distance you want to make it from 3 miles to 6 miles there is a large parking lot at the entrance to the trail. We will meet at 9:30 am and decide how far to go. Event Host: Jerry O’Keefe  407-767-2442, cell 407-353-8099, e-mail: euph201@aol.com 

8/7
Saturday
9 AM
Moderate/
Strenuous
Lake
 

Van Fleet State Trail Bike Ride - The Van Fleet Trail is a safe and pleasant place for bicyclists. The 29 mile trail through the Green Swamp was once a railroad track that has been converted for recreational use. The trail extends from Polk City through Bay Lake to Mabel. We will meet at the Mabel Trailhead for a 30 mile ride - 15 miles one way and back 15 miles. We will stop for short breaks and once for lunch. Driving Directions: Parking is provided at the Mabel Trailhead off SR 50; Bay Lake Trailhead south side of CR 565: Reservations required. No limits. Event Host: Mabel Magarinos magarim@ocps.net (pref) or 407-251-7546.

8/7
Saturday
9:30 AM
Leisure
Martin
 

 Saint Lucie River Paddle/Hike - We will paddle up and back the beautiful south fork of the St. Lucie River in Stuart. This is a very relaxing paddle with some winding turns. We'll leave from Hodsford Park put in and paddle approx 3 1/2 miles to a secluded canoe landing only accessed by paddlers. We can have a leisurely lunch then hike the 1 mile trail known as the South Fork Hiking Trail. Then we'll paddle back to the put in. So far on this river I've seen alligators, otters, beautiful birds including wood ducks, a very large hog on the shore and just recently a manatee that was actually lifting its upper body out of the water to feed on vegetation on the shoreline. Hopefully we'll see some of these wonderful animals this trip. Open to members and invited guests only. Will e-mail you with more info when reservations are made. Event Host: Cathy Phillips at flakayaker@aol.com (preferred) or 561-688-2398.

8/8
Sunday
9 AM
Leisure
Marion
 

Ocklawaha River Paddle - Join us on this beautiful wilderness river located on the western edge of the Ocala National Forest. We will paddle from the Highway 40 bridge to Gore's Landing. The put-in will be at the Wayside Park ($2.00 county park fee) located at the SW side of the Hwy 40/Ocklawaha River bridge just east of Ocala. We will enjoy a leisurely pace (with the current) to Gores Landing ($2.00 county park fee). This paddle is approx. 10 mi. We will shuttle our cars to Gores Landing first, so the 9 AM arrival is important. The area has abundant wildlife, including turkey, otter, birds, deer, bear and even the occasional wildcat, panther, and monkeys travel this area. Registration required, members and non-members welcome. Event Host: Lee Simmons at leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred) or 386-943-8745.

8/14
Saturday
10 AM
Moderate/ Strenuous
Marion
 

Silver River Paddle - This 10 mile r/t paddle has abundant wildlife, including turkey, otter, birds, deer, monkeys, bear and even the occasional wildcat and panther. The put-in will be at Wayside Park ($3.00 fee) located at the SW side of the Hwy 40/Ocklawaha River Bridge just east of Ocala. After a short canal to the main river we will proceed upstream to Silver Springs. We will stop to have lunch. The first 5 miles of the trip is strenuous paddling upstream against a 4+ mph current. We will then reverse our path and enjoy a leisurely pace (with the current) back to the Wayside Park. Reservations required. Limit 16 boats. Event Host: Mabel Magarinos magarim@ocps.net (pref) or 407-251-7546.

8/15
Sunday
8 AM
Leisure
Orange

Rock Springs Run Paddle - Meet at Kings Landing to paddle this lovely stream and get off the river before the afternoon showers.  Bring eats for rest stop in mid to late morning.  Members and invited guests. Event Host: Erica Johnson, 407/327-4044 or ericadj@earthlink.net

8/21
Saturday

WT Event Host Appreciation Party – By invitation only

This event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled soon. 

8/22
Sunday
9:30am
Moderate
Hillsborough
/Polk
 

Alafia River Paddle - Come join me for a paddle down the Alafia River. This river has beautiful scenery along with a number of birds, turtles and sometimes alligators. We will have a leisurely paddle down the river with lunch on the banks. The paddle should take about 4 hours depending on the river speed. Meet at 9:30am at the launch, Delorme 92 for directions, and then we will shuttle to the take out. Members only. Limit 12 boats.  Contact Event Host: Kim Joiner at kim.joiner@usis-tpa.com
 This event has been cancelled due to the storm

8/28
Saturday
8:30am
Seminole
 

Blue Springs State Park Paddle – Come join us on a paddle of the waters around Blue Springs.  We will begin at the canoe launch in the park and paddle the St Johns River. Blue Springs is a beautiful area and near the spring the water is so clear you can see everything under the water.  Bring plenty of water and snacks or a lunch to eat along the way.  Reservations required so I can e-mail further details and directions.  Event Host: Yvonne and Brian Baldwin  ybaldwin@cfl.rr.com or (386) 428-7058

8/28
Saturday
10 AM
Lake

Canoe/Kayak Capsize Recovery Training – From 10-12 a.m. a certified Red Cross Instructor will give Capsize/Recovery training for canoe and kayak at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area in Lake County. This Ocala National Forest park is located on Hwy 42 in Paisley and is approximately 15 miles from De Land. The event will take place on Clearwater Lake. Participants can pay a day use fee to get into the park or reserve a lovely camping site by phoning 352-669-3153. The Recreation Area has a one-mile hike around the waterfront. The park is adjacent to the Florida National Scenic Trail; A hike to Alexander Springs would be a ten mile hike.  There is also the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a much more rugged hike.  Event host: Mary Kay Wareing 352-669-8364 or email at mkwarein@mail.volusia.k12.fl.us

8/29
Sunday
8 AM
Lake/
Seminole
Moderate
 

Blackwater Creek/Wekiva River Paddle - Blackwater Creek originates at Lake Norris and collects waters from Black Water Swamp, Seminole Swamp and Seminole Creek on its way to the Wekiva river.  It doesn't get as much traffic as some of the other central Florida waterways, and is a bit more pristine.  It is primarily a rain fed creek, and the complexion of the creek varies depending on water levels.  It is a meandering channel at low levels, but at high levels the waters spread through the forest and the current can be difficult to discern.  There will be a few deadfalls to negotiate, and a small (30') portage may be necessary if water levels are low.  Once we reach the Wekiva river, we will paddle upstream to Katie's Landing.  The total distance is about 8 miles and should take around 5 hours.  Bring a lunch and we'll eat along the way.  We will meet at the entrance to Seminole State Forest at 8:00 am and shuttle vehicles.  Members and invited guests only.  Reservations required, please contact Event Host: Tony Owen towen@finfrock.cc (preferred) or 407-884-0570.

9/11
Saturday
9 AM
Leisure
Seminole
 

Little Econ Paddle (middle section) - The plan will be to meet at the canoe launch at the 419 bridge just east of Oviedo and then shuttle our cars to the Snowhill Rd take-out. There will probably be pullovers because of the rising and falling of the river over the past year. Reservations required. RSVP by September 8th to Event Host: Judy Campbell 407-788-8919 judyreads@earthlink.net

9/19
Sunday
9:30 AM
Leisure
Seminole
 

Spring Hammock Hike – Meet at the entrance to Spring Hammock on SR 419. Hike will be for about 3hrs, can be hot, so bring plenty of water. There is a stop with a covered picnic area for those with food. Many different kinds of birds and lots of native plants in bloom this time of year. Gator sightings are possible. Event Host: Jerry O'keefe (H) 407-767-2442 and (C) 407-353-8099 or euph201@aol.com

9/25
Saturday
8 AM
Moderate/
Strenuous
Marion
 

Silver River Paddle. 10 mile round trip paddle.  The first 5 miles are upstream against a 4-5 mph current and is suitable for experienced paddlers (short boats can have difficulty upstream).  This beautiful and pristine river has abundant wildlife and it is not unusual to see otter, birds, deer, monkeys, bear and even the occasional wildcat and panther. The put-in will be at Wayside Park ($3.00 fee) located at the SW side of the Hwy 40/Ocklawaha River Bridge just east of Ocala. After a short canal to the main river we will proceed upstream to Silver Springs. We will then reverse our path and enjoy a leisurely float back with the current stopping along the way for a swim and snack. Bring sunscreen, water & lunch or snacks, hat and bug repellant.  Reservations required. Members and invited guests only. Limited to 14 boats. Event Hosts: Dennis and Kim Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com.

9/26
Sunday
9:30 AM
Leisure
Seminole
 

Seminole Wekiva Trail Bike Trail -  Meet at Panera’s in Lake Mary at 9:30 AM. We will do a nice easy 8 to 10 miler, great ride for new bike riders and for people who want to greet the glorious summer weather. Brunch at Panara’s after the ride. Members and their guests invited. Event Host: Jerry Okeefe (H) 407-767-2442 and (C) 407-353-8099 or  euph201@aol.com

10/2

Saturday
9:00am
Leisure
Orange
 

West Orange Trail Bike Ride – Join us for a leisurely ride through mixed rural orange groves and homes to Oakland, then on through the nature preserve and a planted xeriscape garden and a quick view of Lake Apopka then on to Winter Garden, through the center of town with landscaping and a road on either side of the trail, and head north through  some expensive developments and orange groves to another marsh system with a second glimpse of Lake Apopka.  Between 16 – 18 miles round trip.  All black top with some rolling hills and bridges.  Meet at County Line Station Trailhead on north side of Hwy 50.  Take 408 West to exit 267B on the Florida turnpike.  Merge left to Winter Garden.  Approx 1.2 miles west of the interchange.  Registration required.  Event Hosts: Yvonne and Brian Baldwin  ybaldwin@cfl.rr.com or (386) 428-7058.

10/3
Sunday
9 AM
Leisure
Brevard
 

Turkey Creek Paddle – We will paddle Turkey Creek, just south of Melbourne. It’s an easy trip up stream against a very mild current, about 4 hours round trip with a possible stop at an interpretive center along the way. Last time we saw manatees with any luck we’ll do the same. Limit 12 boats. For reservations contact Event Host: Peter Jarvis: (407 657 9548) or email (preferred) bandp2@adelphia.net

10/8-10
Friday to Sunday
Moderate
Osceola

This Event has been cancelled