Feb. 2001 - Mar. 2001 

We shall camp at Gamble Rogers SRA on Friday evening. On Saturday morning we will drive to Bulow Plantation Ruins State Historic Site. We will paddle up stream 3.5 miles and back for an easy seven mile day. Back at GRSRA there is a 20 minute nature trail. Bicyclists may join hikers on two other trails. Saturday evening we will have a potluck dinner and campfire. On Sunday we will paddle the remainder of the canoe trail. We will drive to Walter Boardman Lane Bridge and do our own shuttle to High Bridge Park (6 Miles). Make your reservation ASAP as the SNOWBIRDS we be out in force. Gamble Rogers Campground (904) 517-2086 Reservations are required and the number is limited to twelve. Starting with this trip I will only take reservations by email. I am sorry if this causes any inconvenience but due to my paddling/camping schedule I must institute this procedure. Trip Leader Peter Blichfeldt. Email me at: kayak@cfl.rr.com.

Spruce Creek Trail Ride-Come Mountain bike this trail near New Smyrna Beach. It takes you to high overlooks of Spruce Creek and it's tidal waters. We'll ride along a swampy spot with lush vegetation and meander through hilly oaks and pine. Helmets are mandatory. Reservations required, limited trip. Members and their invited guest only. Event host: Mary Ellen Bell (904)761-7418 or bellme@cts.db.erau.edu.

This is a section of the Three Lakes Wildlife Management area. We'll hike the 5+ mile south loop trail, eat lunch at Parker Slough, and continue back to the parking area. Those who wish can then paddle and observe the abundant wildlife on Lake Jackson. Directions: From St. Cloud, travel south on SR523, Vermont Ave., becoming Canoe Creek Rd., approx. 25 miles. Pass the sign for Three Lakes WMA and continue approx. 2 miles to the Lake Jackson-Prairie Lakes sign. Turn in, pay the $3 daily use fee and proceed over the bridge at Parker Slough. Turn at the Lake Jackson Boat Ramp sign and then turn left into the parking area just before the boat ramp. DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer p. 94. Members and their invited guest only. No reservation needed, but please notify host if planning to attend, so that updates can be provided. Event host: Chuck Russakov russakov@mpinet.net (preferred) or 407-774-5737. http://fcn.state.fl.us/fwc/fltrails/region4/c-prairlk.html.

The distinctive character of Seminole State Forest is its ecological diversity, which includes almost all of the naturally occurring vegetation communities found in Central Florida. A peaceful 7.5 mile hike and leisurely lunch at Blackwater Creek should be enjoyed by all. Directions: exit I-4 at exit 51/Sanford; take SR46 west 7.5 miles; right on to SR46A 5.6 miles; right onto SR44 four miles. Look for the trailhead, our meeting place, on Brantely Branch Rd. Please call if you are going to meet at the trailhead. Host: Mary Kelsh 407-628-4908, Co-host: Mary Ann Freyer.

We will camp Friday and Saturday at Burns Lake in the Big Cypress. It is just north of U.S. 41 about 9 miles east of S.R. 29. Camping is primitive with no facilities. Arrive any time Friday night. Bring breakfast, lunch and water for 2 days. On Saturday, we will eat out in Everglades City a dinner of fish sandwiches and chowder.

On Saturday, Feb. 10 we will paddle the 10 mile Halfway Creek/Turner River trail putting in at U.S. 41 and taking out in Everglades City. Note that this is a different route than the Turner River trip we did 2 years ago. On Sunday, Feb. 11 we will paddle the 13.5 mile Blackwater River/Mud Bay Loop at Collier-Seminole State Park. On both days we will paddle through a mangrove forest on
saltwater creeks.

Directions to Burns Lake: Approximently 220 miles from Orlando.

1. Take I-4 West to I-75 South.
2. Take I-75 South to S.R. 951 South. This is the last exit before the toll plaza.
3. Take S.R. 951 South to U.S. 41 East.
4. Take U.S. 41 East to the Burns Lake entrance. It is 9 miles east of S.R. 29 on the north side of U.S. 41.
5. Go north 1 mile to the campground.

For more information please contact Steve Rodney at srodney@stanfordalumni.org or Rebecca Bolduc at dbapts@bellsouth.net.

Friday, Feb 9 - Monday, Feb 19 (11 days): extended backpack and maintenance on Florida Trail in Big Cypress National Preserve. Trail Maintenance from Feb 9 - Feb 15. On Feb. 16, meet group for annual backpack trip from US41 to SR84 (4 days). Daryl Wells, leader (813) 930-2278, daryl@florida-webdesign.com, PO BOX 24511, Tampa, FL 33623, and Wayne Sargent, co-leader.

We will explore Lake Virginia, Lake Osceola and Lake Maitland during this "Urban" Wilderness Trek. 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 their invited guests. Limit 12 boats. Event Hosts Shelley Claudin claudin@bellsouth.net and Debi Ritt.

Couples and Singles welcome. Come join the fun and fellowship on this scenic little known trail. Located in SE Clay County this 7000 acre tract of ravine bottomland,flatwoods, and sandhill communities. This diversity of natural systems is home to a variety of species, including the gopher tortoise, bald eagle,little blue heron, deer and wild turkey. To reserve your spot for this trip and get details, please contact the host Douglas Boyce at flmtnbiker@earthlink.com (preferred) or (904) 264-2864 after 6pm. Members and invited guests. Directions: From Orlando, East on I-4 to I-95 North, Approx. 80 miles, exit at Exit 95 (SR 16), turn left, and go toward Green Cove Springs, after crossing the Shands Bridge, approx 1/2 mile to the Trailhead, should be marked with J.P. Hall Jr, Bayard Conservation Area. We will be hiking for 2-3 hours, bring water, snacks, and lunch if you desire. Optional camping at Anastasia State Park on A1A.

 Weeki Wachee Springs along Central Florida's West Coast is one of the 27 First Magnitude Springs in the state. The glass-clear waters coming out of the spring flow about 10 miles to the Gulf . The current is strong and we will have to do little paddling. Put in at the Weeki Wachee Canoe Outpost where they have canoe and kayak rentals. We'll arrange our own shuttle. Directions from Orlando - route 50 through Brooksville where it apparently becomes 50A for a time, then blends back to 50. The outpost is in the back left of the tourist attraction's parking lot, which is just south of the intersection of routes 50 and 19. It's crystal clear, spring fed, sandy bottom run that should take around 4 hours with stops for photos and swimming, weather permitting. Manattee sighting are expected. Members only; reservations required by 2/13; limited to 12 boats. Event Host: Judy Campbell judyreads@aol.com or 407-365-9889.

Join us for a day of quality mountain biking at one of Florida's premier off-road riding destinations. With its 20 miles of quality trails, Santos Trail attracts mountain bikers from all over the state. Trails are easily marked. Helmets required. Directions from Orlando: take 301/441/27 north toward Ocala. About 7 mi. before Ocala, turn left on 80th St. (CR328), turn just past the Marion County Sheriff's Station, turn left on the dirt road, and then .2 miles to the trailhead parking area. Reservations required by 2/22, limit 15. Members and their invited guest only. You must bring your own bike, water and lunch. Helmets required. Event host: Douglas Boyce fl_mtnbiker@hotmail.com or 904-264-2864, Co-host: Mary Ellen Bell bellme@cts.db.erau.edu.

On this outing we'll be paddling the lower Wekiva River from Katies Landing to Emanuel Landing. Located north of Orlando, this scenic trail winds its way through some beautiful and well protected wetlands. Several lagoons and tributaries along the way provide interesting side trips. For additional details contact: Chuck Jones 407-892-2105 or kayakk@webtv.net

Spruce Creek Trail Ride-Come Mountain bike this trail near New Smyrna Beach. It takes you to high overlooks of Spruce Creek and it's tidal waters. We'll ride along a swampy spot with lush vegetation and meander through hilly oaks and pine. Helmets are mandatory. Reservations required, limited trip. Members and their invited guest only. Event host: Mary Ellen Bell (904)761-7418 or bellme@cts.db.erau.edu.

Join us for an absolutely beautiful hike near the Eustis area. You won't be disappointed with the scenery, or the wildlife. The area has wide smooth trails with Lake Griffin and Lake Yale on either side of the trail. In late December we explored this area and found everywhere we looked birds were escorting us. Yellow rumped Warblers danced along The trail, just 4 feet ahead of us. Flocks of White Ibis, Wood Storks, Heron, Glossy Ibis, and Red Winged Blackbirds flew over head. Osprey were
everywhere, and just down the trail a bit waited the biggest posse of Black Vultures I've ever seen. No reservations needed. Directions: Take 441 towards Eustis, turn right on to Hwy 19, Go through downtown Eustis staying on 19. Go left on SR 44 take this 6 miles to the town of Lisbon, and turn Right on to Emeralda Ave. Go to dead end and turn Left on to Emeralda Island Rd. Go 2 miles and look for large green sign off to the right in a parking field that says "Public Land Conservation Area." We'll meet here and car pool 1 mile to the spot. Host: Jamie Aiello AIELLOFOTO@worldnet.att.net 407-880-8452

Join fellow Trekkers for a 2-day trip on the Ocklawaha River. The Ocklawaha River as well as the Silver River is one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in Florida. We'll meet at the Ocklawaha Outfitters on CR 316 in Eureka at 8:00 A.M. sharp on Saturday morning to begin the shuttle to Wayside Park at SR 40 at the Ocklawaha. The outfitter will charge $15.00/boat to shuttle the 18 miles to SR 40. We'll plan to be in the water by 10:00 A.M. We'll begin our paddle to our campsite just before Gores Landing (approximately 8 miles downstream). This will be primitive camping alongside the Ocklawaha. On Sunday morning we'll break camp after breakfast and canoe to our final destination back to the Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost RV Park at Fort McCoy. We'll again plan to be in the water by 10:00 A.M. on Sunday and have lunch along the river during our final 7-8 mile paddle down stream to the Canoe Outpost. Member only registration required. Map and directions will come later as the trip gets closer. Event host: Lee Simmons, (904) 943-8745 or e-mail to leedeland@hotmail.com.

Orlando Wetlands is a 1280 acre man made wetland which serves the purpose of filtering water from the Iron Bridge Water Treatment Facility before it is discharged into the St. Johns River. The 3.8 mile loop trail begins at the parking area on Wheeler Rd. Directions: take Rte 50 East to CR 420 (Ft. Christmas Rd.) - turn left on CR420 to Wheeler Rd. - turn right to parking lot. Our meeting place will be the trailhead. Please call if you are going to meet at the trailhead. Host: Mary Kelsh 407-628-4908, Co-host: Mary Ann Freyer.

A challenging morning in the Croom Forest will be our adventure. This area of dry upland scrub contains a hilly single-track all-terrain biking trail. Bring plenty of water, we will ride till about 11:30 and have lunch back at our cars. Helmets are mandatory, reservations required, open to members and guests, call for reservations, directions and meeting location. Host: Eric Kendrick 407-445-0603 or kendrije@sverdrup.com.

Saturday will leave camp for the put-in at SR579 for a 15 mile paddle back to camp. We will run our own shuttle. Saturday evening we will have a potluck dinner and campfire. On Sunday we will paddle the the Upper Manatee River from the Rye Bridge Road (5 miles). Make your reservation ASAP as the SNOWBIRDS we be out in force. Little Manatee River Campground (813) 671-5005 Reservations are required and the number is limited to twelve. I will only take reservations by email. I am sorry if this causes any inconvenience but due to my paddling/camping schedule I must institute this procedure. Trip Leader Peter Blichfeldt. Email me at: kayak@cfl.rr.com

For additional details contact: Chuck Jones 407-892-2105 or kayakk@webtv.net.

  Enhancing your paddling skills will increase your enjoyment of the activity. Our Instructor for this event will be Claudet Benton and will include the "tippy test" in the lake, demonstrations and practice of various paddling strokes, as well as safety considerations, together with planning and packing for canoe camping and other skills. Join us for a group camping/canoeing weekend at Lake Mills, with a possible paddle on the Econ (depending on water levels) to test our new and improved skills. Dinner Saturday night will be provided by the event host. Canoe Rentals will be available for this weekend through Hidden River Canoe Rentals (407)568-5346. This event will be limited to 20 participants-to secure your reservation send $12.00 with SASE to Debi Ritt P.O. Box 700122 St. Cloud, FL 34770-0122 The fee will cover camping and the instruction manual. Host Debi Ritt tippycanoe3@hotmail.com(407)922-2259 Co Host Dee Fuentes