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2/1
Saturday
9 am
Leisure
Seminole
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Lower Econ Paddle. From Snow Hill Road to
the St Johns River. The first part of the trip is an easy paddle with high
sandy banks and large oak trees. For this last part of the Econ, we’ll see
prairies, palm trees and cattle. We will then turn into the St Johns for
about a 1 mile downstream paddle to the take out. This paddle is a distance
of about 10 miles. Reservations required. Members and non-members welcome.
Event Host: Shelley Claudin claudinsj@directvinternet.com
or 407-281-7181.
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2/5
Wednesday
10 am
Leisure
Volusia
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DeLeon Springs Paddle.
On this outing we'll begin our journey at the Springs and paddle the Spring
Garden Run into Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, This is a great area
for exploration and birding, especially during this time of year. Paddling
distance will be @ 12 miles, leisurely paced. Bring a lunch to eat along the
way. Out and back trip, no shuttle required. Rentals available at the park.
Meet at the canoe launch area at DeLeon Springs State Park. If you want,
come a hour earlier and join me for a pancake breakfast at the park's famous
Sugar Mill restaurant. Open to members and non-members. Reservations
required. Event Host: Chuck Jones 407-892-2105 or kayakk@webtv.net
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2/7 - 2/9
Friday - Sunday
9 am
Leisure
Marion
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Rainbow River State Park
Paddle and Camp. We will set up base
camp at the Rainbow Springs State Park located just outside Dunnelon. On
Saturday morning we plan to paddle an @ 6-mile section of the Rainbow River.
Rainbow Springs is the second largest spring in the state and with it’s
72-degree crystal clear water and white sandy bottom it one of the most
beautiful places to paddle. On Saturday night we plan a group dinner around
the campfire so bring your favorite dish to share. On Sunday there will be
no planned activity but you can hike, bike, paddle in the nearby
Withlacoochee River or just kick back before heading home. Please make your
camping reservations early as this is a busy time of year by calling the
Rainbow Springs State Park at 352-489-5201. Reservations required, members
and invited guests only. Event Host: Dennis Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com
or
386-574-5127.
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2/21 - 2/23
Friday - Sunday
Leisure
Lee
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Caloosahatchee Park Camp,
Paddle and Bike. The Pack and Paddle
Club from West Palm beach along with the Outdoor Adventure Klub from Ft.
Lauderdale are sponsoring a joint outing at the Caloosahatchee Park in Ft.
Myers and they have invited WT Members to join them. The park has group
camping, hiking trails, off road biking and paddling on the nearby
Caloosahatchee River, Hickey Creek, Telegraph Creek and the Orange River.
That same weekend the town of Labelle (12 miles away) is also having their
annual Swamp Cabbage Festival. If you interested in joining in this fun
filled weekend and for a schedule of the events please contact Event Host:
Ben Smith 561-775-3481 or bbsdob525@aol.com
.
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2/22-23
Sat-Sun
10 AM
Moderate
Seminole
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Seminole Forest Overnight
Backpack. We will meet at 10 AM at
the south entrance on Hwy 46 which is just past the Wekiva bridge going west
from I-4 or just past the bear bridge going east to I-4. It's about 10 miles
west of I-4. We will carpool to the north entrance where we will hike in 2
miles and set up our tents. Then we will explore the Shark's Tooth Spring
and hike some surrounding trails. Supper and campfire will be in the dark so
bring some stories to share. S’mores will be provided. The next morning we
will hike 6 miles to the south entrance. Bring $2 for the Iron Maiden.
Primitive Camping. Beginners are welcome. Please make reservations by
February 14. Event hosts: Lynn VanHorne LVH@mpinet.net
and Kurth Chin Fatt
407-331-8609.
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3/1/03
Sat
9 AM
Leisure
Polk
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Alafia River Paddle.
This river is fairly swift and narrow in places, however provides beautiful
scenery. We will put in at Aldermans Ford park and take out at Lithia
Springs. Depending on water level the trip will take about 3-4 hours. Bring
a lunch as we will stop along the bank. Directions will be provided if
necessary. Limit 12 boats. Members and invited guest. Event host: Kim
Joiner. Email kjoiner@cfl.rr.com.

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3/2
Sun
12 PM
Zoo
Seminole
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Ice cream Social. This year’s event
will be held at the Sanford Zoo. Please bring a dessert or topping to share
and WT will bring the ice cream & drinks. The Peach-a-wiggins area has
been reserved for us—located just before the Admissions area and to the
left. Zoo tour is $5.50/adults and $4/children. Please RSVP no later than
Wednesday 2/26 if you plan to attend and be sure to specify if you will also
be joining the zoo tour—10 people will get us a group rate. The Zoo is
open until 5 pm. Zoo #: 407-323-4450. Directions: FROM I-4: I-4 to
Exit 104 and head west toward Sanford. Go right on 17-92 and continue for
about 2 blocks and until you see sign for the Zoo. For more information or
to RSVP contact Event Host: Mary Bruce at mary.bruce@siemens.com
or call
407-736-5745.
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3/3
Monday
7 PM
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WT
Board Meeting. Board will meet at the First United Methodist Church in
downtown Orlando. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact the
president 2 days in advance if you would like to present new business.
crussakov@cfl.rr.com |
3/8
Sat
9 AM
Leisure
Volusia
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Lyonia Preserve Hike.
Located right here in Central Florida is unique place that many people may
not be aware exists. Lyonia Preserve, in Deltona, is a restored scrub
ecosystem unlike any found in North America. This is one of the last
remaining relics of a time in which the scrub of western North America was
distributed east to the Atlantic Ocean and isolated from the western scrub
by climactic changes leaving only a few pockets of this habitat remaining
in Florida. Most of the scrub land has succumbed to development and we are
fortunate to have this area established as a preserve. Home to the
severely endangered Florida Scrub Jay, it is not a question of if you will
spot a Scrub Jay, but rather how many of these gentle birds you will see.
Reservations required—members and guests only and limited to 12. Event
Host: Kim and Dennis Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com. |
3/15
Sat
9 AM
Moderate
Hernando
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Richloam Hike. We'll walk a part of the
lower loop trail, about a six mile hike and include the scenic sections on
the river, water levels permitting. Remember lunch or a snack, plenty of
water, sunscreen and repellant. We’ll meet at the fire tower on Porter Gap
Road. Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and SR
50, west of Winter Garden, travel west on SR 50 about 33 miles to Porter Gap
Road. Turn left and go about .7 mi. to the tower. This road is about 2 miles
west of the Little Withlacoochee bridge. DeLorme page 78. Open to members
and non-members. No reservation needed, but e-mailing your intent to attend
will allow me to send an update if needed. Event Host: Chuck Russakov crussakov@cfl.rr.com
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3/21-23
Fri-Sun
Leisure
Citrus
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Halls River/Homosassa River/Chassahowitzka
River Paddle/Camp. Saturday we’ll paddle the
Halls River to the Homosassa and then up to the headspring then paddle
downstream to the take-out approx. 7 miles. Most of the time we will be
paddling in pristine state-owned land. We’ll use an outfitter for our
shuttle and the fee is $10 per boat. On Sunday we’ll paddle the
Chassahowitzka River a clear spring fed river that leads to the Gulf of
Mexico. The river runs through a wildlife sanctuary and has many springs
along the way. The paddle will be an 8 mile round trip. Boats can be rented
from the outfitter for $25 (877-660-0929). We will be camping at Friday and
Saturday nights at the Chassahowitzka River Campground (for camping
reservations 353-382-2200). Reservations required—members and invited
guests only. Event Hosts: Dennis and Kim Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com
or
386-574-5127. Join us for all or part of the weekend.
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4/5
Sat
9 AM
Moderate
Seminole
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Beginners Off Road Bike.
Join me for a fun morning peddling the Little Econ tract just east of
Oviedo. This single track runs through scrub and hardwood forest and along
the Little Econ River. I plan to take an easy pace so that all can enjoy the
ride. Experienced riders are welcome to join us and you can peddle at your
own pace or ride with the group. You must have an off road fat tire type
bike and helmets are required. Reservations required; limit 8. Event Host:
Dennis Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com or 386-574-5127
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