February/March  2004

Mosquito Lagoon Paddle - I call this 10 mile trip the Beauty, and the Beast. Beautiful, clear, and shallow water surround endless shell lined islands. A visit to the forgotten city of Eldora. A climb up to the top of Turtle Mound, a prehistoric Indian site. Lunch will be at J.B's Fishcamp with return through the backcountry. The Beast, wind can turn the Lagoon into high frequency 1ft chop. The reward for punching through each wave is a saltwater slap in the face. This trip can turn into a grueling endurance test. The put-in is at Riverbreeze Park off U.S.1 between Edgewater and Oak Hill. Limited to 15 boats, no boats shorter than 13 ft. Reservations required. Members and non-members welcome. Contact Event Host Lou Bonnell, bnnavnjn@hotmail.com or 386-441-1468.

Wekiva Springs Overnight Backpack - Meet at Sand Lake parking lot on Saturday morning for a 3 ½ mile backpack to primitive Camp Cozy. After we make camp and have lunch we'll do some additional hiking on the Wekiva trails and return to the camp for dinner before dark. After breakfast on Sunday morning we'll make the return hike back to Sand Lake parking lot. Bring water and snacks for the trail as well as lunch, dinner and breakfast. Beginners are welcome. Please make reservations by Feb. 3, space is limited to the first 9 members. Camp fee is $3 each. Event host: Bob Seay bob.seay@earthlink.net

Big Tree Park Hike - This short hike is perfect for beginners. Big Tree Park is located on General Hutchinson Parkway 1/2 mile off 17-92 and 3 miles north of Hwy 434 in Seminole County. The park is noted for “the Senator” one of the areas largest trees. We can also visit the Spring Hammock Environmental Center located nearby. Event Host: Jerry Okeefe 407-767-2442 or euph201@aol.com

Lower Econ Paddle - Valentines trip from Snow hill Road to the St Johns.The first part of this trip is an easy paddle with high sandy banks and large oak trees gradually changing into grassy banks, palm cabbage and cattle. We enter the St Johns and paddle for about a mile to the take out at Hwy 46. Depending on wind this section can be very strenuous, distance @10 miles. Reservations required and max of 10 floating vehicles. Members & non-members welcome. Contact for the meeting location - I'll reconnoiter between now and then to assess water levels, put in and take outs and to watch out for housing infestations. Event Host: Peter Jarvis bandp2@adelphia.net or 407 657 9548.

Tosohatchee Overnight Backpacking - We will meet at the Information Kiosk off of Taylor Creek Rd. which is located between SR 50 by Christmas and the Bee Line Expressway. There is a $3 cost. This is a heavily wooded hike and campsite with an outhouse and a pump with untreated water. We will set up camp and then explore the area. More information will be provided upon registration. Dessert will be provided. Event hosts Lynn VanHorne lynnv@oco.net and Kurth Chin Fatt 407-331-8609.

Blackwater Creek/Lake Norris Paddle - We will wind our way on Blackwater Creek to its headwaters at Lake Norris. The lake is lined with beautiful Cypress Trees that extend 50 yards out into the lake and it is a rookery for many Ospreys. We will paddle the perimeter of the lake through the Cypress Trees. Members and guests are welcome limit 12 boats. There are no facilities there for boat rentals so you must bring your own boat. The lake is vast and wide open and wind can make this a very strenuous paddle. Event Hosts: Kim and Dennis Gonzalez kemg@cfl.rr.com or 386-574-5127.

Winter Park Chain of Lakes Paddle - 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 non-members. Limit 12 boats. Event Host Shelley Claudin. Contact shelley.claudin@cubic.com or 407-281-7181

Long Key State Park Camp, Paddle, Hike - We will camp Friday and Saturday night in the primitive camping area of Long Key State Park in the Keys, MM 67.5. There are six elevated chickees connected with a boardwalk in the mangroves by the water's edge. There is a bathroom and cold running water, grills and picnic tables. We'll meet Friday afternoon and hike the Orb Trail within the park which is approx 1 hr. Or we can paddle out in the Gulf and watch the sunset. We have a choice of paddling trips on Saturday depending on the tides, seas, and weather. We can paddle to Ligumvitae Key (bay side) and Indian Key (ocean side) at MM 77.5. These are great historical sites which are very interesing. Or we can paddle the Canoe Trail within the park if the tide is right. Sat night we can dine out at Herbie's at MM 50 which is a local favorite. Sun morning we can head home, stopping at Key Largo MM 104.5 and paddle Dusenbury Creek. Reservations required. Members and invited guests only. Space is very limited/ Groups of 4 or less per chickee. Cost will be approx. $12.00 per person for the 2 nights depending on the final count. I've already reserved the site for the Trekkers and secured with a credit card so pre-payment to the host is necessary to secure your reservation. Details to follow. Contact event host Cathy Phillips at flakayaker@aol.com (preferred) or (561) 688-2398

Moses Creek Hike - Join us an for approx. 4 mile hike at Moses Creek Conservation area. This is part of The St. John's River Water management district and is located about 1/2 hour south of St. Augustine. We will take a leisurely hike to explore this area stopping along the creek to have lunch. We saw slides of this scenic area at the annual gathering presentation. Event Host: Liz and Bob Rood. Please RSVP to rrood@cfl.rr.com if you can join us.

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