February 2009 - March 2009 |
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01/31/09 - 02/01/09 Saturday - Sunday Time: Contact Host Biking (and more) Moderate - Strenuous Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Belle Glade Palm Beach County |
Bicycle Lake Okeechobee - No, not all of it, and not the lake itself, of course. Pedal some of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, and, despite the acronym, you can't get L.O.S.T. The trail up on the dike is all paved and traffic-free. The views of the lake from atop the 40' dike is lovely, and you might have some great wildlife sightings. Perhaps we'll picnic lunch along the way, or maybe we'll stop at a local eatery. Distance and speed? Whatever you want ... it's out and back, so you decide, 10, 20, 30 or more miles; there's something for everyone. How about a potluck Saturday evening? Car-camp at the South Bay RV Park, and pedal north one day and west the other. An optional activity would be to paddle the rim canal or the two islands off Belle Glade. Where's South Bay, you ask? Near Bean City. That's just west of Belle Glade, on the southeast corner of the Big O. To reserve a site, call 877-992-9915. When you reserve, mention that you're with me, or use the name Leibold, so you can get a campsite near the group To check out the area, go to www.pbcgov.com/parks/camping/southbay/. Host: Linda Leeds, 561-683-2851; lindamarie7@juno.com. |
02/07/2009 Saturday 9:00 AM Hiking Leisure Altamonte Springs |
New (and old) Member Orientation - Lake Lotus Nature Preserve This 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 nature¢s window over the Lake. Please visit www.altamonte.org/department/leisure for park information and maps. Reservations will be required by Wed Feb 4. Meeting location will be announced in Jan Upcoming Events. Clark at cagola1@aol.com or 407-855-5351 before 9pm. |
02/08/2009 Sunday 9:00 AM Paddling Moderate Apopka Rock Springs Run |
Paddle Rock Springs Run - Rock Springs Run originates from a spring just north of Apopka and winds through Wekiwa Springs State Park before joining with the Wekiva River. This is one of the few remaining places in Florida that has a sense of timelessness. The paddle is about 8 miles long and usually takes 4½ to 5 hours. We will meet at King's Landing and be on the river by 9:00 a.m. For those participants wanting to shuttle their own boats, please be at King' Landing and have your boat and gear unloaded by 8:15 to start the shuttle to the Wekiva Marina. Boat rentals and shuttle service is available at King' landing (407-886-0859 or kingslandingfl.com). The last time I checked it was $10 to launch your own boat and $30 for a rental canoe. Pack a lunch and we will find a spot along the river to eat and stretch our legs. Members and invited guests only. Event Host: Tony Owen 407-884-0570 jetowenapopka@embarqmail.com |
02/13/09 - 02/16/09 Friday - Monday Paddling Moderate Withlacoochee Inverness |
Potts Preserve/Seven Springs Run - This is a longer three day trip to Potts Preserve, which is a Southwest Florida Water Management property on the Withlacoochie River, northeast of Inverness, Florida. It's car camping, but it's also primitive, with only a port-a-potty for facilities. Just downstream and across the Withlacoochie, Gum Slough/Seven Springs Run is a little-travelled swamp river/spring run, which is the featured paddle of the trip, and we'll do it Saturday. Then, plan on eating in Inverness on Saturday evening. Sunday, we'll spend an hour or two paddling on the Withlacoochie, perhaps followed by a short hike in the afternoon. Then it's time for community hors d'oeuvres & Happy Hour - and a campfire, of course! I plan to arrive on Friday night, and leave about noon on Monday. This is one of the few camping places in Florida where we don't have to listen to road noise all night long. If you haven't been here, it may just turn out to be one of your favorite places! If you'd like to go, and something is slowing you down, call me, and I'll convince you to give it a shot! You won't regret it! You will need some detailed directions and a map to find it, though. Contact me for other information, as it can change. Host: Jim Ostrander, 561-627-1943, j14152@gmail.com . |
02/21/09 |
Little Big Econ State Forest Hike - Meet at Barr Street Trailhead(Map) to hike along the bluffs of the river 5 miles round trip. This is a shaded, scenic hike on a single file trail.one of our favorites. We'll stop at the river for a snack. $1 usage fee. Reservations not required but appreciated. Hosts: Lynn and Kurth 407-331-8609 or lynnvh@embarqmail.com. |
02/27/09 - 03/01/09 Friday - Sunday Paddling Moderate Peace River Ft. Meade |
Traditional Peace River Spring Trip - We'll do the upper Peace River, from Fort Meade to Zolfo Springs, water level permitting. I plan to stay at Fort Meade City Park on Friday night, and we'll run the shuttle on Saturday AM. On Saturday evening, we'll have a Happy Hour on the riverbank, with plenty of hors d'oeuvres, and a campfire as well! By now, some of you will have already joined me for previous trips this year, so you'll surely be looking forward to this one! If the water level is too low, we're going anyway - we'll just conjure up an alternate plan. Any questions, if you need to borrow a stove, a tent, or something else, please contact me - we want you there! Contact me for other information, as it can change. Host: Jim Ostrander, 561-627-1943, j14152@gmail.com . |
03/07/09 Saturday 9:00 AM Paddling Moderate-to-Strenuous Silver River Ocala/Silver Springs |
Silver River - The Silver River is by far one of the prettiest paddles in Florida. The Silver River has crystal clear water with eel grass and an abundance of large fish. The wildlife along the Silver River is unique with rhesus monkeys, alligators and a large variety of birds.The put-in for the Silver River is at Ray's Wayside Park, located roughly 10 miles east of Ocala off Route 40 (Map). From Ray's Wayside park, it is an approximate 6.5 mile paddle upstream to the head spring and return for 13 miles. Most of the paddle is located in the Silver River State Park, the head spring is located at the Silver Springs Attraction. Launch time will be at 9:00 A.M. Host: Bill Smith madriver33@gmail.com (preferred) or (407) 488-7290 (Co-Host Richard Yost) |
03/14/09 - 03/15/09 Saturday - Sunday 7:30 AM (sharp - shuttle run) Paddling and Primitive River Camping Moderate - Strenuous Ocklawaha River Eureka |
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 (Map) before 7:30am SHARP to begin the shuttle to Wayside Park. (Outfitter charges $16.00/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 14 boats. Reservations required. Event host: Lee Simmons 386-846-8396 or leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred). |
03/20 - 03/22/2009 |
Second Annual North Marion County and Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail Bike Rides - Here is an opportunity for 2 rides over 2 days. North Central Florida presents itself as the old Florida, still undeveloped, pristine with mature forests, rolling farmland and void of heavy traffic. Come join in for one of the best scenic rides in Florida as we make our way through the beauty of North Marion and Alachua County; riding through unchanged hamlets, horse country and back road routes that will make you believe you have left the state. Using Paynes Prairie as the base camp, participants are invited to come camp Friday for some early socializing, or if you prefer, join us in the morning for the 9:30 Saturday ride departure and camp Saturday night. Day riders welcome just as well. Both routes will be slightly different that last year, but still cover the best parts (no dirt). We ride casual. For absolute details, bike routes, accommodations, and scenic pictures; visit the North Marion & Gainesville-Hawthorne Bike Weekend web site. Hosted by Clark Getz - cagola1@aol.com (407 855 5351).
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03/22/09 Sunday Launch @ 9:00 AM Kayaking Skills All Skill Levels Lake Mills Chuluota |
Kayak Skill Session- For All Skill Levels - Learn about safety gear to carry with you. Learn basic paddle strokes or improve your skills, learn how to be an effective paddler, paddle with finesse. And of course, we will play and have fun too. The session is about three to four - hour long with Ken Knapton, Michael Shugg and Mariam Mohsenin who teach the class to numerous groups and came to WT in July, November, and January to teach Kayak recovery and rescue and paddling skills. RSVP is required. For members only. The session will be at Lake Mills Park located in west Seminole County, (map). If for some reason, Lake Mills is not open/feasible, the alternate venue will be announced to responders and will be held in Orlando area. PFD and whistle are required on all sessions. Launch time is 9:00, so come early enough to ready yourself. Focus all reservations to Mariam Mohsenin at (407)325-7596, mohseninma@gmail.com. |
03/29/09 - 04/04/09 Sunday - Saturday Paddling & River Camping Leisure-Strenuous Blackwater River Coldwater Creek Florida Panhandle |
Traditional Spring Break Trip - We will have our traditional spring break trip river camping on two of the beautiful rivers in the Florida Panhandle. We will spend 4 days on Blackwater River, which has the beautiful white sand beaches for camping. Then we will move to Coldwater Creek in the same area, but entirely different. It has more twists and turns and large gravel bars for camping. Contact Host Nancy Doucette kayakldy@yahoo.com (561) 968-1789 |
04/10/09 - 04/12/09
Friday - Sunday Hike, Camp, Paddle Leisure Princess Place Flagler County |
Easter Weekend Camp at Princess Place - Come for a day or the whole Easter weekend to join Erica for a laid back trip at peaceful Princess Place, north of Palm Coast. Erica has reserved 4 nice large campsites there for Easter weekend ( and these are the only sites in this area). These waterfront drive-in sites are by the Matanzas River. Limited trip - 2 tents per site, no campers or pop-ups, no electric. (Day visitors limited only by logistics). Restrooms/showers available. Princess Place is a beautiful old estate, now a preserve, with lots to explore. Options of hiking, paddling, biking (most on paved or dirt roads), historic house tour, and the beach is not far. No night arrivals - gate locks at 6 PM, no driving in the preserve after 6 pm. Please RSVP before April 1. For driving directions and general information, please check their web-site at Princess Place. To reserve your camping spot and for details, or if you wish to join us for the day only, please contact Erica at paddlepuff@earthlink.net or 407-327-4044.
Camping preference given to those who can stay both nights due to limited spots. |
04/25/09 - 04/26/09 Saturday - Sunday Paddling Moderate - Strenuous Mosquito Lagoon and Shipyard Canal Canaveral National Seashore |
Mosquito Lagoon Paddle and Camp at Canaveral National Seashore - Pack your kayak for one night camping on an island. This is a great trip for those kayak/camping for the first time. On Saturday, we'll have a fun day of paddling in the Mosquito Lagoon, then camp in Canaveral National Seashore on an island where you can only get to by boat. We'll paddle more of Mosquito Lagoon near Shipyard Canal and take out Sunday afternoon. Feel free to contact the hosts for any information you need on packing for the trip. Kindly RSVP by Wed. before the trip. Must wear PFD Contact your hosts Ken Knapton (321) 368-9894 or Mariam Mohsenin at mohseninma@gmail.com. |
05/16/2009 Saturday 9:00AM Hiking Leisure Deltona |
New (and old) Member Orientation - Lyonia Preserve - This is a great place to see one of Volusia County's protected species, the Florida Scrub Jay, in its natural habitat. Three main trail loops take visitors through this 400-acre preserve of scrub, pine forest and scattered wetlands that are home to more than 200 types of plants and animals. Please visit http://lyoniapreserve.com/lyonia.htm for additional information (map & directions) and trail maps. |
6/10/2009 - 6/14/2009 Wednesday - Sunday Rafting Strenuous - Extreme Chattooga Nantahala French Broad |
"All water, Always Wet" Rafting Trips - Nantahala - French Broad - Chattooga We camp at Standing Indian campground all 4 nights. Standing Indian is a National Forest campground with electric and hot showers. It is buried deep in the forest of the Nantahala mountains west of Franklin North Carolina. We make all of our breakfasts at camp. Day 1) travel to Standing Indian campground 11 hours from Orlando. Major Pig-out at Dillard House. Day 2) Raft the Nantahala River (plus optional Tsali and Hiking). Evening potluck over the campfire. Day 3) Raft the French Broad near Mars Hill. Lunch is included. Dinner in Franklin. Day 4) Raft the Chattooga with 2 options - the Chattooga III or the Chattooga IV, lunch included. Alternatives to rafting include Appalachian Trail hike, Talulah Gorge Hike, drive the Cullasaja River gorge from Franklin to Highlands (one of the best rides in America). Day 5) Race home, followed by rest. Plan your calendar, deadline April 30th. All rafting outfitting provided by Natahala Outdoor Center. WT Coordinator - Clark Getz cagola1@aol.com Click Greater Details for all the specifics and the plan. |