Past Issues

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

8/12
Sunday
8:00 am
Leisure
Deltona

Lyonia Preserve Family Hike. Join Erimi and me for a family hike. Lyonia Preserve is a great place to see one of Volusia County's protected species, the Florida Scrub Jay, in its natural habitat. The Lyonia Preserve is behind the Deltona Regional Library at 2150 Eustace Avenue. Three main trail loops take visitors through this 400-acre preserve of scrub, pine forest and scattered wetlands which is home to more than 200 types of plants and animals. Be sure to bring plenty of water and binoculars, I will provide a trail map and an animal & plant checklist. Families and children welcome. Call or e-mail Eric Kendrick to confirm attendance 407-970-3373 or jerickendrick@hotmail.com

8/18
Saturday
9:00 am
Leisure
Longwood

Wekiva Springs Leisure Family Paddle. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Spring Head area inside Wekiva Springs State Park. We will paddle a short distance (20-30 minutes) and see several types of turtles, fish, reptiles, 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. Bring lunch & swim goggles if you'd like to stay and picnic next to spring/swimming area. 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 Wekiva Springs Road. Turn Right on Wekiva 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.

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.

9/1
Saturday
9:00 a.m.
Moderate
Altoona

Alexander Springs Paddle. Alexander Springs is another of Central Florida’s special springs. We’ll start exploring the area with a downstream and back paddle. Hopefully we will see an abundance of the classic Florida wildlife. After the paddle, cool off with a swim at the spring. This is a great place to put on a mask and snorkel and just watch the fish and other wildlife swim by. There is a $5 entrance fee per person at the park, but no launch fee. Members and invited guests. Please contact Tony Owen towen@finfrock.cc (preferred) or call 407-884-0570 and leave a message.

9/8
Saturday
8:30 a.m.
Moderate
Apopka

West Orange Trail Bike Ride. The WOT is a paved bicycling trail that primarily follows abandoned rail beds around Lake Apopka through some of the remaining rural areas in Orange County and through the town of Winter Garden to the Orange/Lake county line. There are a few hills on the trail, and a bit of shade along parts of the trail. We will meet at the Apopka-Vineland Outpost and ride to the county line and back for a total distance of 27 miles. If there is enough interest, we may stop at the Oakland Nature Preserve and take a short walk to the shore of Lake Apopka. Members and invited guests. Please contact Tony Owen towen@finfrock.cc (preferred) or call 407-884-0570 and leave a message .

9/15
Saturday
9:45 a.m.
Moderate
Apopka

Rock Springs Run Paddle. Rock Springs Run travels 8 miles to join the Wekiva River on their way to the St. Johns. Most of the trip is through Wekiwa Springs (aka Wekiva Springs) State Park and gives you a good chance to paddle in an area that lets you see what Florida was like before major development. I usually see a good variety of wildlife along the way. We will stop for lunch along the way so pack a lunch. The paddle usually takes about 5 hours at a leisurely pace. We will put in at Kings Landing (407-886-0859) and take out at the Wekiva Marina. Rentals are available at King's Landing for $30 that includes the ride back to the beginning. For those with their own boats please be at Kings Landing and have your boat and gear unloaded by 9:15 and we will shuttle to Wekiva Marina where there is a $3 parking fee. There is a launch fee of $10 at King's Landing. For those who will be renting, please arrive at King's Landing and have your rental squared away by 9:45. Members and invited guests. Please contact Tony Owen towen@finfrock.cc (preferred) or call 407-884-0570 and leave a message if I'm not home.

9/16
Sunday
9:00 am
Leisure
Flagler Co

Old Florida Trail Bike Ride. Fellow Trekkers, join Anita and I on a nice (old Florida) bike trail alongside A1A from just North of Flagler Beach to Marineland and return. This will be a 12-14 mile easy ride along what use to be part of old Florida. We will also make a stop at Washington Oaks State Gardens along the trail as well ($1.00). We will meet at the Flagler Pier Restaurant just South of SR 100 and A1A at 9 AM for breakfast. Hosts: Lee and Anita Simmons. Please e-mail me at leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred), or (386) 943-8745.

9/22
Saturday
9:00 AM
Leisure
Lake Mary/Heathrow

Seminole-Wekiva Trail Bike Ride. This will be a leisure (approx 10 mile) bike ride along a portion of the Seminole Trail, with the option of extending the ride if participants wish. This paved trail alternates sun and shade while passing through pretty urban and rural scenery. We’ll meet at the Panera Bread in the strip mall one block west of intersection of Lake Mary Blvd & I-4 (South Int’l Parkway). David’s World Cycle is adjacent and has bike rentals (407-942-1020). Join us for breakfast at Panera at 8:00 AM – the ride starts at 9:00AM sharp. Members and their guests welcome – helmets required. For trail info: http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/pw/trails/trails_crosssem.asp
Hosts: Larry & Susan Reed paddleFL@lycos.com

10/26-28
Pensacola

FLORIDA PADDLERS' RENDEZVOUS 2007

Milton, Florida
Oct. 26-28, 2007