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October 2014 / November 2014 Newsletter


A condensed events and activities list can be found on our Activities and Events page.
Membership information can be found on our Membership page.
 

General Participation Guidelines
Always sign up ("pre-register") for an event by using our Meetup.com site or by contacting the leader so you can be reached if there is a change or an event cancellation.  Trip leaders generally make all reservations and arrangements and may set group size limits on some trips and activities.  If you are not pre-registered you may be turned away at some events.

Additional information about these activities and events may be announced at monthly meetings, on our Meetup.com site, and by Meetup.com messaging.  If you did not sign up for an event or activity at the last club meeting and would like to do so, you may add your name to the list at our Meetup.com site.  If you have additional questions, please contact the trip or activity leader directly.




ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
 

Wed 10/01, 5:45am, St. Johns River Redfish/Trout Weekday Charter Fishing Adventure: If you ever wanted to go and fish for redfish/trout and possibly a trophy red, this is your event. This is a Paid Members) Sidetrackers event only, with this being the first of 2 fishing Charters and Wednesday October 22 is the next scheduled charter. We will meet at 5:45pm, Hardee's 9111 Merrill Road, off I-295, then go Browns Creek Fish Camp to meet up with Capt. Mike Darveau of Topwateractioncharters@comcast.net.  The cost of charter is 3 fishermen/$375 or 4 fishermen/$425, bring without tip, tipping is encouraged especially if you have a good time and you wish him to clean your fish. Bring your refreshments, snacks, sunscreen, hat and cooler for your catch. The charter captain will inform us the night before if we may have to reschedule due to weather. Event leader Victor Corrales 904-517-2321. Call for more details.

Wed 10/1, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville.

Fri 10/03, 6:30pm, Jacksonville Beach Evening Walk: (rained out) Come out for an evening hike of about 5 miles. We will meet and start at the Jacksonville Lifeguard Center, next to Joe's Crab Shack. There is plenty of parking near Carrabba's or public beach parking along 1st Street going toward Mango's. Please have your waiver completed and signed if you are not a paid Sidetrackers member so we can get the walk started as soon as possible. This walk should take about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete, afterwards we'll stop at a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat. Please make sure to RSVP that you're not going if it's a last minute cancellation so the group is not waiting for someone needlessly. Event leader Victor Corrales 904-5172321 call or text, corralesvictor6969 ‘at’ gmail.com, FL 32256   

Sun 10/5, 10:30am, Paddle Board Lessons in Palm Coast: We will meet at 9:15 at McDonalds on Old St. Augustine Road by Bartram Trail. We will leave at 9:30 on the dot. Arrive early if you plan on having breakfast. This is a beginner class and the instructor said that this is a difficult workout and you need to be in good physical shape. It is a full core workout. We will be in flat, wave free water and will paddle out to a sandy beach. There are 7 paddle boards and 5 kayaks. We are doing the kayaks, so that more people can go and we can switch up the paddle boarding. Tropical Kayaks is located at the Palm Coast Marina, 200 Club House Drive. I have already made the reservations. The cost is $20.00 for 2 hours and that is the same for the kayaks. Leader: Julie (904) 424-1548. For directions, visit their website: http://www.KayakCafe.com

Sat 10/11, 10:00am, Zip Lining at The Canyons in Ocala, FL: We will meet at McDonalds on Old St. Augustine Rd. (by I-95) at 10:00am. This is absolutely the best zip lining in the state. There are 9 zip lines, some over 130 feet in the air, many over the water where there once were deep rock quarries. There are also a long rope bridge to cross and a 60ft. rappel down a tree. We went to The Canyons last year and it is a trip you won't forget. The drive takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to The Canyons which is outside of Ocala. To sign up you have to go to: http://www.zipthecanyons.com and book a tour for yourself (and a guest if you wish). Book the time as 10/11/14 at 12:00pm so that we can go as a group. If that time slot is booked, take the next available one. You have to pay by credit card at the time of booking. The cost is $96.00 per person.  Please also reply on the Sidetrackers Meetup site. This is a long weekend and it will get booked up quickly, so don’t delay if you are interested. The morning of 10/11 is already getting booked, so that’s why we will hope to start the course together at noon. The entire course takes about 3 hours. We go off in groups of 8. You will select your time slot when you book & pay for the tour online.  When you select your time slot, post it as a comment on Meetup.com/Sidetrackers  so that other Sidetrackers can try to join your group!! We probably won’t be finished until around 3:30pm. Once you are on the course, you keep moving and there is little time to eat, so you might want to bring a power bar or cookies to sustain yourself.  This is real exercise! We will go the The Yearling in Cross Creek afterward. Everyone agreed that this is one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. The food is fabulous! Leader: Tim Scott, cell 904-705-3335.The website for The Canyons is: http://www.zipthecanyons.com. Please click website link to review cancellation policy. Please check with Meetup,com/Sidetrackers for up-to-the-minute changes.

Fri-Mon 10/10-13, Crystal Isle Camping in Crystal River, FL:  (CANCELLED) Meet up details to follow on http://www.Meetup.com/Sidetrackers. It’s Columbus Day weekend! Come join us for a 3 day weekend in Crystal River. Crystal Isles is a rustic camp ground with hot and cold running showers. You may choose to kayak, fish, sight see and hike or bike on Saturday.  Sunday we will be going to Devils Den where we can snorkel or scuba dive. Rentals for everything you need are available. After Devils den we may hike the gardens next door and/or go to Elephants & Co. This is where we can learn about elephants and ride them.  Depending on participants, we are planning to rent a pontoon boat at approximately twenty dollars per person.   Saturday and Sunday will have pot luck dinners, so bring a dish to share. We will also be grilling so bring a main course to throw on the grill. If you are grilling please bring charcoal. We will also be lighting a campfire so plan to bring wood.  We will be renting three campsites where eight people per campsite are allowed. Each campsite cost eighty two dollars for Saturday and Sunday nights. Depending on how many people are on a campsite determines the cost of the sites.  Any questions please call Sue M. at 215-939-8523.  Additional information available: http://www.trails.com/list_30316_river-fl-camping-rv-parks.html; and http://www.devilsden.com/ 

Mon 10/13, 6:30pm, Jax Beach Bike Ride: Join us on the beach for a casual evening bike ride and enjoy the ocean breeze while we ride about five miles on the sand. This is an easy ride for all levels. We will meet at Oceanfront Park on 1st Street South between 5th & 6th Avenues South at 6:30pm. There is plenty of parking at the east end of 5th Ave. Bring water and any bike appropriate for the sand. We will leave for the beach at 6:40pm so if you are running late, just head south on the beach. Those people interested can go out for a bite to eat somewhere at the beach afterwards. If you have any questions call the Leader: Kathy D. 908-433-5974

Wed 10/15, 6:15pm, Riverside Evening Walk: Enjoy an evening walk from the Riverside to the Landing. We will meet at Memorial park near the corner of Riverside and Margaret Road, there is a Publix and Al's Pizza nearby. Parking will be in this area or parallel parking adjacent to Memorial Park. If you go down Margaret St. to Park St, there is parking alongside Riverside park. We will all congregate by the statue in Memorial Park. The walk will be approximately 4.4 miles to The Landing round trip. Afterwards we will grab a bite to eat in the area. This will be a warmup to a longer walk of about 6.6 miles for a later date and hopefully a few walks at the beaches or Theodore Roosevelt Park. Call or text leader Vic Corrales 904-517-2321 or email at: corralesvictor6969 ‘at’ gmail.com.

Sat-Sun 10/18-10/19, 8:00am,Torreya State Park Hike and Wakulla River Paddle:  We will meet at McDonald's on I-10 and Chafee Road. (South of I-10). Come out and hike part of the Florida trail in Torreya State Park along the Apalachicola River and hike along the Bluffs and old civil War gun pits and diverse terrain. The trail is around 7.2 miles but can extend into 15 miles for the diehards. We will come back toward the Wakulla River to spend the night then Sunday morning go out for 4 hours and look for manatee or go fishing. There is excellent fishing in the area. There are motel rooms for 2 folks at the Shell Island Fish Camp just down the river from the kayak rental facility, T.N.T. Hide way; kayak rentals $25/4 hours either sit-in or sit on top 850-925-6412.  Shell Island Fish Camp has tent camping $10 a night or $70 for 2 in motel 850-925-6226. I will post a secondary camping or cabin site since it is a busy time of the month in this area and half of the lodging is already reserved. The event is approximately 200 miles and will take 3 hours to get to the event. Event leader Victor Corrales 904-517-2321 txt, call or email corralesvictor6969 ‘at’ gmail.com. For more information check the following website: http://Floridastateparks.org/torreya. As a courtesy, please advise leader if you are running late or unable to attend. 

Wed 10/22, Redfish/Trout Fishing Adventure Part II: See 10/1 for details.

Fri-Mon 10/24-10/27, DeSoto State Park Fall Trip in (N/E) Fort Payne, Alabama: We will depart early Friday, October 24 at 6:00 a.m. and return on Monday, October 27 leaving 2pm. The cost of the trip is $92 per person for housing for 3 nights.  We will need a $50 deposit, by August 31st, mailed or handed to Vic Corrales, 1321 Gately Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 or Kathleen Donato, 113 Seagrave Main St, #102, St. Augustine, FL 32080.  The remainder of the balance is due by September 30, 2014.  The trip is in Desoto State Park in Northeast Alabama in the Lookout Mountain area by Little River Canyon preserve. We should be able to see the change of seasons. It is about 50 miles North from where the trip was last year.  This area provides mountain biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, caving, and lots of hiking trails from easy to difficult with some steep inclines and descending routes. The hike will calls for proper footwear, water and comfortable attire. There are two chalets reserved for 10 members.. Due to timing, the first to pay gets to stay in a chalet.  If there is a great demand and enough money in advance, there is a chance we could reserve another chalet.  However, the few available chalets will be gone in a couple of weeks. This trip will be offered first to paid Sidetracker members only. This state park has been rated as the best in Alabama It has a restaurant, back country camping, numerous waterfalls, caves, and Little River Canyon for kayaking. There is the possibility of a trip to the #1 rated hiking area near the Tennessee border at the Walls of Jericho state park which has a trail that descends down some 1000 feet. It encompasses some 7 miles of moderate to difficult hiking. The nearby town of Mentone is the highest elevation town in Alabama with some great arts and crafts and some great eateries. http://www.alapark.com/desotoresort/  Resort is located near: 1299 Blalock Drive NE Fort Payne, AL 35967. Please note that this trip is appx. 475 miles and will take nearly. 8 hours to drive. Leader: Vic, 904 517-2321.   As a courtesy, please call Vic if your plans change and you are unable to attend.

Tue 10/28, 6:00pm, Jacksonville Beach Evening Walk:  Come out for an evening hike of about 5 miles. We will meet and start at the Jacksonville Lifeguard Center, next to Joe's Crab Shack. There is plenty of parking near Carrabba's or public beach parking along 1st Street going toward Mango's. Please have your waiver completed and signed if you are not a paid Sidetrackers member so we can get the walk started as soon as possible. This walk should take about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete, afterwards we'll stop at a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat. Please make sure to RSVP that you're not going if it's a last minute cancellation so the group is not waiting for someone needlessly. Event leader Victor Corrales 904-5172321 call or text, corralesvictor6969 ‘at’ gmail.com, FL 32256   

Wed 10/29, 7:30pm - 10:00pm, Zombie Hunt at Paintball Adventures: An outbreak of zombies has been reported near the airport in North Jacksonville! Join the Zombie Eradication Team at Paintball Adventures to contain the outbreak before it spreads to nearby areas in this live-action zombie hunt set in a post-apocalyptic town. This is an interactive shooting gallery featuring live (undead) zombies & reactive targets, static targets, lighting and sound effects.  This is a scare attraction so be ready for anything.  No paintballs are shot at you. Only the zombies are hit with paintballs that you shoot.  No contact with the zombies or other actors is allowed.  Shooting gallery time is about 15 minutes.  Hunters may shoot as much as they want, no time limit, but subject to lines.  All equipment is supplied. No outside gear or paintballs allowed.  Pass is good for same day use only.  Participate at your own risk. Cost is $12 ($25 value) for one admission with 100 paintballs or $22 ($50 value) for two admissions with 200 paintballs.  Purchase additional paint balls: $3 for 50 paintballs, $5 for 100 paintballs, $20 for 500 paintballs. Monday 10-27-2014 is the last day you can buy the deal. PBAXSports is located inside the Pecan Park Flea & Farmers Market (614 Pecan Park Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218; 904-645-7127).  Parking is free, follow lighted signs. Links for additional information: www.paintballadventures.com; www.pbaxsports.com; www.facebook.com/PBAJax; Brian Held mailto:brian@paintballadventures.com  Leader: Laura 904.349.3785

Sun 11/2 8:30am, Gainesville Hawthorne Trail Bike Ride: Come join us for a fun filled day riding the beautiful bike trails in Gainesville. We will meet at the McDonald's on US 17 across from the Dog Track in Orange Park. The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city of Gainesville through the Paynes Prairie Preserve and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area. This is a paved bike trail with hills and curves. We will ride about 8 miles of the trail and back.  We will begin our ride at the Gainesville/Boulware Springs Trailhead end. This end has rolling hills, the most shaded part of the trail, sink holes to explore, overlooks and boardwalks where we can get off our bikes and explore so bring a lock for your bike if you can. We will stop on the way back to walk out on the La Chua trail and see the alligators and other wildlife. We will leave McDonalds at 8:40 AM for the trip to the trail head. It is approx. a 1.5 hour drive. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, water and snacks for the ride. We will stop for lunch after the ride. Leader: Paula S. (c)904-588-2707  More Info

Wed 11/5 6:30pm, Sidetrackers Outdoor Club for Singles will host a Meet & Greet at Seven Bridges Restaurant: Now is your chance to find out what the Sidetrackers are about or get reacquainted with old friends you have shared an event with.  The outdoor heated patio is where we will gather to share stories and enjoy ourselves. Dinner and drinks are optional. The restaurant is located at Tinseltown by the movie theater. The address is 9735 Gate Parkway North, Jacksonville, FL 32246. See website for directions, menu and prices. http://www.7bridgesgrille.com.

Fri-Sun 11/7-9, Paddling & optional camping at Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach:  Come join us for the weekend or the day: We will meet at 2:00pm at the McDonalds on 11/7, Friday at Old St. Augustine Road off I-95. Carpooling can be arranged at that time. Please make sure everyone has the same return schedule. The Tomoka Park is on the Halifax River, in Ormond Beach. Trails lead under the large Live Oak trees that have stood the test of time; where early Native Americans once lived off the fish-filled lagoons.  Visit the park museum or go fishing off the dock. Bring your kayak or canoe to explore the river and marshland beauty. Canoes or kayaks can be rented at the Camp Ground Store for 2 hour at $25. The Store’s phone is 386-673-0022. November will be cool so dress accordingly. There are campfire rings at each site to use to warm the chilly nights. Campers are responsible for their own food. Saturday night we will have a joint cook out over the fire. Bring something you want grilled and something to share. Three sites are reserved with electricity and water. They will accommodate 24 people if tents are shared.  Two large tents are recommended for each site.  It could be stretched to 4 tents if two are small tents.  Priced at 4 people per site, the cost is $13.50 per person for two nights and all day Sunday. That cost can be split between shared tent occupants.  Check in begins at 3:00pm. Park gated closes at sunset. For those coming after dark, you can still gain entry. The Ranger Station will stay open until 8:00pm to assist you. Or, notify the Sidetrackers leaders when you get to the park and they can get you in.  Check-out is Sunday by 1:00 pm. We have to be off the site, but we can stay to enjoy the park.  If this event is full you can still join us. You may reserve a site of your own and we may find someone who would like to share your site and cost.  To make reservations go here.  FYI: Driving time is approximately 90 minutes. Directions: Take 95 South and exit toward Old Dixie Hwy and turn left. Old Dixie Hwy will lead you straight to the park. It will be on your left.  A second carpool can be arranged for 6:30 pm if requested. For those wanting to come for the day, park entry fee is $4 for one person per car and $5 per car for 2 to 5 people. Leader: Vicki A. at 904-923-2335 Contact her for questions and to make arrangements for your stay and if you need a loaner camping tent. Tomoka State Park is located at: 2099 N Beach St Ormond Beach, FL 32174  

Sat 11/15, Obstacle Course at UNF: More details to be announced.

Wed 12/3, 6:30 PM, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256                  

Fri 12/5, TBD Art Walk/Christmas Lights, St. Augustine: More details to be announced.

Sat 12/13, 10:00am Cumberland Island Hike and Tour/campout: Come out for a day of hiking or a state park tour of the island, Plum Orchard Mansion and/or spend the night camping at the Sea Campsite near the beach. Our meeting place will be Hardee's 675 Nautical Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32218, and Riverside Mall by I-95 near Jacksonville Intl Airport. We will meet at Hardees, please park your cars in the big parking lot across from Hardees as not to take up their customers parking for the day. All non-members please have waivers completed as to expedite our departure and check in to Historic Cumberland Island at St. Marys, Georgia. I will be camping overnight at Sea Camp so if you wish to join me make your reservation ASAP. These sites go quickly. All reservations for ferry, camping, park fee or private Plum Orchard tour are made at these phone numbers, 912 882-4335 or 877-860-6787, call early, noon or around 3pm, it's $20 for ferry, $5 for park fee, $4 for camping and there is a private tour of whole island, Plum Orchard tour limited to 20 folks on a bus tour of the whole island but you would have to go on the 9 am ferry meaning be up and on the Road by 7:30 am plus this would be on your own unless I can get a member or board member to take charge of the private tour. If you're not doing the private tour, plan on hiking north toward Sea Camp then to Beach then south toward ruins. We will stop at place to be determined along the way to eat a packed light lunch, so don't forget to bring something to eat. The ferry leaves at 11:45 am arrives on island by 12:30 then leaves at 4:45 pm back to St. Marys.  Any questions, call, txt or email, especially those who plan to camp and have secured your camping spot corralesvictor6969 ‘at’ gmail.com, 904-517-2321 (Vic)  For more information. Destination is 45-60 minute drive from Jacksonville.


Additional information about these activities and events may be announced at monthly meetings and on our Meetup.com/Sidetrackers trip reservation pages.

2014 Monthly Meeting Schedule.  Locations Will Be Announced.
MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first non-holiday Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
and the location may vary.  Subscribers to our Meetup.com group receive an automatic reminder message in their email two days before the meeting.

WEDNESDAY, November 5, 2014 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 3, 2014 – 6:30 PM

2015 Monthly Meeting Schedule.
WEDNESDAY, January 7, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, February 4, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 2, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 4, 2015 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 2, 2015 – 6:30 PM

The Sidetrackers Newsletter
Our newsletter is maintained by Chris who can be reached by email at newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.
If you have any comments about the newsletter, or if you have material to submit for inclusion in the
next monthly newsletter, please send email to newsletter 'at' sidetrackers.com.

To Become a Sidetrackers Member
Members pay a small annual fee to help share the annual cost of maintaining this web site and the small costs of running the club.  Members are not required to submit a Guest Waiver Form at each Sidetrackers trip, activity or event.  Membership applications are accepted throughout the year.  Please visit our Membership page, or send questions and comments to membership 'at' sidetrackers.com.

The Sidetrackers Web Site

Our web site is maintained by Frank who can be reached by email at webmaster 'at' sidetrackers.com.  Please contact Frank if you have any corrections, photos, or other items of interest from any current activities. We will be pleased to consider your suggestions concerning the web site content.

In Case You Were Wondering...
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