ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
 

Fri-Sat 10/2-10/3, Pensacola Red Snapper Fishing Charter:  Come join us for an exciting fishing trip in beautiful Pensacola. This will be a fishing charter for red snapper then redfish, speckled trout etc. The charter would most likely be in Pensacola Bay depending on where the fish are biting. If we need to fish offshore it would probably 1 -2 miles out. The fishing is with Double Hookup Fishing Charters The price for 5 hours, 3 fisherman is $175.00 per person; gear, license, water, and sandwich included. We will head out Friday afternoon for a 6 hour drive. We plan on getting accommodations Friday night and either drive back Saturday afternoon or staying another night. If we have enough confirmed folks, I will charter a second boat. Please, only serious folks commit with cash in hand. I must have a solid commitment to go by Saturday September 26 so I can cancel 2nd boat. Please txt me or call 904-517-2321, Vic. For more information: http://www.pensacolabeachmarina.com/doubledup

Wed 10/7, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256      

Thur 10/8, 5:45pm, Frisbee Golf (Disc Golf) Ed Austin Regional Park: Come join us for a fun evening of gold Frisbee. Even if you aren't great at throwing a Frisbee, if you've ever wanted to try playing a round of Disc Golf on a real Disc Golf course, this is your opportunity! We'll need at first to limit the number of players and then as our members learn the basic rules we can form additional 4-8somes and have a larger number of members on the course the next time. If you have your own discs you can bring them, otherwise discs will be provided. You might want to bring a hand towel to wipe your disc before you throw, something to drink and some bug spray. Wear sneakers or light hiking shoes and NOT sandals, flip flops or high heels.  There is a limit of 8 people, so please sign-up only if you are planning on attending and update your RSVP if your plans change.  Afterwards we will get a bite to eat; location to be determined later.  Leader Chris G., cell 904-536-3822.  For more information: http://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/ed-austin-park-fore-palms-disc-golf-course.

Sat 10/10, 8:30 am, Ropes and Zip Lines at Zoom Air Daytona Beach: Enjoy a treetop adventure at Zoom Air Adventure Park Daytona Beach, up in the trees of Tuscawilla Park! Zoom Air’s aerial adventure courses are deftly woven into the forest of this easily accessible City of Daytona Beach Park.  Go arboreal, as you swing, climb, balance, and zip from tree to tree. Get a bird’s-eye view of the land below as you travel in the trees over dancing logs and tight wires, across rope bridges, nets, and suspended disks. Feel your adrenaline pump as you conquer abundant treetop challenges, including exhilarating rides on our zip lines. Meanwhile, your perches in the trees offer an opportunity to see flora and fauna not found on the ground, and a brand-new perspective on the park’s well-known disc golf course. During a briefing on the ground, you are taught to use the equipment and games safely. Once you and we are confident that you understand how to proceed safely, you head for the trees and adventure! Our qualified operators, on the ground, monitor your progress through the games and are available for any questions or concerns you may have along the way. You will precede independently, your safety ensured by the two slings from your harness that are always attached to a red life line.  Enjoy nature from a new perspective. Experience The Lagoon/The Reef and Point Break - both courses are included in one admission – that’s over 30 treetop games, including 8 zip lines, and a chance to play Tarzan! The challenge and height of the games gradually increases, to give you a chance to get your “tree legs.” (Minimum height 54”)  Higher and more difficult than the preceding two courses, Point Break adds 16 more games, including 4 more zip lines – one of them around 500 feet long! Cost is $26.95 for the Lagoon & Reef or $36.95 for all three courses.  ZOOM Air offers a 10% discount on the admission price for groups of 15 or more, provided all admissions are purchased in a single transaction. Adults will leave Photo ID as deposit for harnesses. It will be returned when all harnesses for the group are returned.  There is a 54" minimum height requirement for the adult courses and an approximate 275-pound weight limit - maximum waist size for harnesses is 48"; maximum thigh size is 26". Total time to complete both courses is approximately 2 - 3 hours depending on breaks. Due to the large number of participants, we will not collect waivers at McDonalds.  The sign-in and collection of waivers will take place at Tuscawilla Park.  For those that would like to carpool to Zoom Air, please meet at McDonalds no later than 8:30 and be prepared to leave at 8:45 am for the 80 minute drive to Zoom Air.  If you are leaving a car in Jacksonville, please park in the bank parking area next to McDonalds. For those that wish to meet at Zoom Air, we will meet at 10 am at the covered pavilion at the northwest corner of the Tuscawilla Park grounds.  There is a parking area next to the pavilion on Magnolia Ave.  This parking is outside Tuscawilla Park behind Bank of America and an office building (located at the southeast corner of W International Speedway Blvd/U.S. 92 and S Senaca Blvd). Wear comfortable outdoor clothing; secure, closed footwear ("sneakers"); Remove jewelry and scarves that could get caught; Tie back your hair and secure your eyeglasses. Bring a water bottle with clip, camera and a bandana to wipe your brow on the course. Leader: Maria V. 904.419.3361 & Steve D. 561.602. For more information:  http://www.zoomair.us/daytonabeach/

Sun 10/11, 9:15 am, Palm Coast Bike Ride: Come join us for a fun day in Palm Coast. We will meet at McDonalds on Old St. Augustine Road (by I-95 in Bartram Park area) at 9:15 am and leave promptly at 9:30 am.  Arrive early if you plan on having breakfast. Carpooling is available, but you may want to arrange it ahead of time as there is planning involved when transporting bikes. We will be parking at 5875 Colbert Lane in Palm Coast to begin the ride. We will bike the paved trails of Lehigh Trail and bike approximately 16 miles (round trip) of abandoned railroad corridor, comprising of 195 acres.  Any type of bike is welcome. The trail parallels the Lehigh Canal for much of its length and extends from U.S. 1 North of Bunnell through the town center of Palm Coast and through Graham Swamp. This is a very scenic trip with water views, wildlife, swamps, and paved trails as well as some wooded boardwalks. There is a limit of 30 people, so please sign-up ONLY if you are planning on attending.  And update your RSVP if your plans change. Please bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray and a light snack if you desire. Afterwards we will get a bite to eat at the European Village by the bridge. Leader Julie H. cell 904-424-1548.  As a courtesy, please call Julie if your plans change and you are unable to attend or you will be marked as a no show.  For more information: http://www.traillink.com/trail/lehigh-greenway-rail-trail.aspx

Sun 10/18, 8:00am, Scenic A1A Road Bike Ride from Mayport Ferry South:  Alright let's do an early road bike ride starting from Mayport Ferry South by Singleton's Seafood Shack in Mayport Village. This ride will be on A1A  from Ferry  north to Big Talbot Island Park on the narrow bike Lane for about 6.6 miles until the Little Talbot Island bike trail starts for the next 4 miles to Nassau River.  There is parking across from the staging area for cars waiting to board Ferry and additional parking past Mayport Marina in the Mayport public boat ramp on the left side by small building  (restrooms ). We will board the 8am ferry, don't be late and bring $2 for the ferry to cross . I suggest you bring Road or hybrid bikes but as long as you can keep up bring what you're comfortable riding.  The speed of the ride will be 12-15+ mph and if there's enough riders to split into two groups, one fast and one slow  7-10 mph , we will split up.  I will turn back around  40 minutes to return back to catch the 9:45 am ferry and afterwards get a bite to eat at Singleton's Seafood Shack. If you're unsure about riding along  the road, this would be a great chance to ride as a group which is a lot safer than a solo rider so I strongly encourage you to come on out. Event Leader Vic Corrales 904-5172321 txt or call me.

Thur 10/22, 5:45pm, Frisbee Golf (Disc Golf) Ed Austin Regional Park: Come join us for a fun evening of gold Frisbee. Even if you aren't great at throwing a Frisbee, if you've ever wanted to try playing a round of Disc Golf on a real Disc Golf course, this is your opportunity! We'll need at first to limit the number of players and then as our members learn the basic rules we can form additional 4-8somes and have a larger number of members on the course the next time. If you have your own discs you can bring them, otherwise discs will be provided. You might want to bring a hand towel to wipe your disc before you throw, something to drink and some bug spray. Wear sneakers or light hiking shoes and NOT sandals, flip flops or high heels.  There is a limit of 8 people, so please sign-up only if you are planning on attending and update your RSVP if your plans change.  Afterwards we will get a bite to eat; location to be determined later.  Leader Chris G., cell 904-536-3822. For more information: http://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/ed-austin-park-fore-palms-disc-golf-course.

Sat 10/24, 9:15am: Nature Hike on Little Talbot Island:  Come join us for a morning stroll/hike in our own backyard.  You will be able to get acquainted with many new friends attending this event while catching up with various old friends. The walk will be approx. 4 miles in length and have a cross-section of ecosystems on the Little Talbot Island State Park. The trail of 2.5 miles will include maritime hammock, beach dunes, and depression marsh. The final 1.5 miles will be a stroll on the beautiful white sandy beach of the island with huge deposits of drift wood. We will take a 15 minute break when reaching the beach to appreciate the true beauty and allow people to take photos of the scenery.  It will be nearing low tide when we get to the beach portion, so there will be a good opportunity to view wildlife and locate shells or sharks teeth. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and a bright friendly smile. Cost: Entry fee of approx. $5 per vehicle onto the island, plus going out for lunch if you desire. Please note, this will be a leisure walk with many people expected. This event is not for someone who strictly likes strenuous long hikes or activities with relatively few people. Also, dogs are not allowed on the beach portion of the walk, so please keep our four legged friends at home. This Sidetrackers event is strictly a nature hike on the wonderful trail and beach of Little Talbot Island. It does not include swimming in the ocean. In the event one or more wish to divert from the hike  and elect to go swimming, then the Sidetrackers activity for those people will end at that time and you will be on your own. The tides and undertow of the ocean can be dangerous and you should exert all caution if you divert from the hike and elect to go swimming on the island.  We will meet in the large parking lot behind the Hardee’s at 9111 Merrill Rd. at 9:15 AM (come earlier if you plan to eat breakfast and to get a head start in arranging car-pools). Take 295/9A North or Southside Blvd Connector North and exit to the right at Merrill Rd. Proceed east and Hardee’s is immediately on your left. We will get everyone signed in promptly and will depart Hardee’s sharply at 9:30 AM for the approximately 20 miles to Little Talbot Island State Park off of Heckscher Blvd. If you live in north Jax or Ga. then suggest you meet us at the Little Talbot Island parking lot at approx. 10:00 AM near the bathrooms and shelters.  For those interested after the event, some of the attendees will probably get lunch at the nearby Sand Dollar Restaurant that has good food and a wonderful water view. Please ensure everyone you carpool with have similar plans for lunch. Leader Mr. Kim L. (cell 904-610-5029) for more information about Little Talbot Island click on:  https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Little-Talbot-Island

Fri-Mon 10/30-11/2, Table Rock State Park, South Carolina:  This year our annual fall trip will be to Table Rock State Park in South Carolina. We will be departing on Friday, Oct 30^th and returning late afternoon/early evening, Monday, Nov 2, 2015. It’s a six hour drive so it’s best to be departing by 6:00 a.m. On Monday, we plan on leaving around noon. This trip is open to 2015 confirmed SIDETRACKERS MEMBERS ONLY!  If you respond to a RSVP in Meetup.com, but are not a SIDETRACKERS member, you will be removed from the list. If you are on the RSVP list it will be your responsibility to provide payment to Victor Corrales or Kathy Donato. The cost is $80.00 if you are staying in the cabins. You can find Victor and/or Kathy at an event or at the April 1st members meeting. The other option is by mail. Send a check, payable to: Victor Corrales, 1321 Gatell Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Payment is to be received by April 15. We have a long list of Members trying to go on this event. If you are unable to participate, please change your status on Meetup.com. This will allow the next person on the waiting to join in on the trip. If you pay and need to cancel, we'll refund your money as long as someone takes your spot and it's not 2 weeks before we leave on trip. Some of the activities will be:  hiking, kayaking and other fun things.  The kayaking is available in Table Rock, but we're considering a kayak trip with an outfitter, 30 minutes north in North Carolina on the French Broad River; Class I, and I I Rapids near Roscoe, NC. There will be a group discount for 8 or more folks; $30 / person for 3hours.  There is also hiking trails in and near state park, most are 1 to 4 miles, easy  to moderate, as well as 2 very severe strenuous long hikes on Pinnacle Mt trail 6 miles, 26 ft. elevation gain and Table Rock trail 4 miles, 2433 elevation gain.   The accommodations are 2 cabins: 1 for 6 folks and 1 cabin for 8 folks.  The cabins have Wi-Fi, linens, cooking equipment; sleeping accommodations for 1 cabin are 2 bedrooms with 2 full beds and sleeper sofa.  1 cabin has 2 sets of bunk beds, sleeper sofa and 1 full bed.  We will plan meals and transportation as we get closer to trip date and plan on a great Italian pasta night by Chef Tom and 1st line cook Vic. As soon as well have everyone paid up, some folks might consider renting a minivan. I have one reserved with a full load. If you're interested in getting a minivan and driving let me know so we can compile a list of how can drive or participate in renting a van. For any other questions call or txt me 904-5172321 Vic.   Additional park information: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/tablerock 

Wed 11/4, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 

Sat 11/7 11:30am, Porchfest 2015 in Historic Springfield in downtown Jacksonville:  The second annual Jacksonville PorchFest, a music festival held on the welcoming front porches of Historic Springfield, will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2015, from 12 to 8. The family-friendly, free event will feature local musicians from a wide variety of genres. 

Afternoon entertainment will include more than twenty performers on assorted porches throughout the historic district. Attendees will stroll from porch to porch and “camp out” on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent. This year the event will be in Springfield’s Southwest quadrant, in and around Klutho Park.  Maps of porches and performers will be provided on the day of the event.   Along the way, there will be a variety of food, drink, and arts vendors to round out your experience in Jacksonville’s oldest and original front porch neighborhood.  This year’s event will feature beautiful Klutho Park, and will conclude with an evening performance in the historic bandstand. 

We all meet at 11:30 AM at Klutho Park and walk from there. Bring a brown bag lunch in your backpack or sample the food trucks. This is a long day, so you might want to leave after a few of hours of music. Or, you might want to come later in the afternoon since the event is from 12-8 PM.  If you come later, you do not need to sign up for this event with Sidetrackers Meetup. The event is free and open to all. Read more about it-- http://jacksonvilleporchfest.org/. Leader is Maureen F. (Mo), cell: 904-705-3377.  As a courtesy, please call Mo if you are running late.   Limited to 30 people.  Here is a suggestion for parking: Near Klutho Park--- Henry J. Klutho Park. 635 3rd Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

Sat 11/14, 8:45am, Scenic Hiking at Mike Roess Gold Head State Park in Keystone Heights:  Come join us for a wonderful hike in nearby Keystone Heights, FL. We will meet at Hardee’s in Middleburg. 2730 Blanding Blvd. From there it is about a 30 min. drive straight down Blanding to Gold Head. This is a Florida State Park, with 2,000 acres of rolling sand hills, marshes, ravines, lakes and scrub. Gold Head is one of the earliest state parks in Florida. We will begin on the Florida scenic trail that follows Gold Head Branch upstream along the shady ravine, and emerges in a sand hill area to circle around the eerie Devil’s Washbasin. This area has diverse wildlife. Among the wildlife found in the park are fox, squirrel, southeastern kestrel, red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, turkey, and gopher tortoise. The park also has pocket gopher, fox, white-tailed deer and variety of water and wading birds. There is a variety of wild flowers here as well. Among them are blazing star, goldenrod, and lopsided Indian grass. This is a 5-7 mile moderate hike. There are some somewhat steep places along the ravine, so you may want to bring a walking stick and wear supportive shoes. It would also be a good idea to bring bug spray, snacks, and water as well. There is a $5 fee for cars with up to 8 people and $4 for a single occupant. Locals in the area recommend McHenry’s Irish Sports Pub for lunch. For those who are interested in having lunch together, it is a short drive from the park. For more information, check out the website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Mike-Roess. Leader:  Cyndi F. 904-716-4783 cyndi.fitcher’at’gmail.com    

Sat-Sun 11/21-11/22, Hike Camp Branch Conservation Area and/or Paddle at Ichetucknee:  optional campout Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins, Sunday Ichetucknee /Santa Fe River kayak paddle.  On this event you can hike for the day, then camp overnight, then kayak on Sunday. If you wish to kayak only on Sunday come on out. Let's talk about the hike at Camp Branch Conservation Area, most of this is part of the Florida Trail. It is a beautiful but hilly hike to a disappearing creek then hike along the Suwannee river bank to some of the highest bluffs and plenty of ravines including Devils mountain,  one of the higher points in north Florida. This hike would be a moderate to hard 9 miles, so you will need hiking boots, walking stick, a day bag for water and snacks and bug spray,  so be prepared.  After the hike we will find a place to eat, then those folks that just came out for hike can go home while those camping and kayaking on Sunday will head down the road to Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins to camp out. Those folks kayaking on Sunday, the Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins is also our rental for kayaks or canoes.  This paddle will be on the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe River, a 4-5 hrs moderate paddle with the current. Since this event can actually be treated as 2 depending on what you would like to do, there will be 2 meeting times using the same location to meet. Event Leader Vic Corrales, 904-5172321 text me if possible.. We will meet at McDonalds on Chaffee road and Interstate 10 at 8:30am and be on road by 9am. For this hike, please meet at McDonald’s don't ask to meet us there because it's a hard place to find and because of the last mile and a half of a rough jeep road you may not want to drive a low profile car.  Camping is at Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins at 8587 S.W. Elim Church Road, Fort White, FL, 32038, 1-386-497-2150. Tents are $18 a night with 2 tents and 4 folks per site. I will reserve 2 sites so contact me if you want the other tent site and for those wishing a cabin, small cabins for 4,5 or 6 folks are available for $45 -$55 a night. I greatly encourage those folks who have never camped, this would be a good place to try it out; you can come to me or other seasoned campers for tips. On Sunday Nov 22, for those just coming out for kayaking, again McDonald's Chaffee road and Interstate 10 at 8:30am and hopefully on road by 9am. I will need a member to step and take care of collecting waivers and directions to kayak place.  The kayak rental place is also the same place where we're camping.  The cost is $20 for kayak or canoe and for the folks that have their own kayak as long as some folks rent from them they will portage our kayaks for $ 5. If you're not sure you can solo paddle, tandem kayaks or canoes are the answer. After the paddle we'll either have a cookout at camp or go into High Springs for a sit down lunch. Come on out for this hike, camping and paddle or just one of the events. When sending the RSVP, please put on comment section what you intend to do so I know who's doing what event.  http://floridahikes.com/florida-trail/suwannee  http://www.ichetuckneecanoeandcabins.net/

Fri-Sun 11/27-29, 9:30am: Paddle and overnight on the Suwannee: Over three days, we are going to paddle approximately 36 miles from Stephen Foster State Park to Suwannee River State Park with overnight stays at Woods Ferry River Camp and Holton Creek River Camp on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The SRWT is a system of hubs and river camps spaced a convenient day's travel apart, so that visitors can enjoy a lazy day trip or a multi-day adventure on the Suwannee. Each river camp features 5 screened sleeping platforms with electricity and ceiling fans, restrooms and hot showers and primitive camping sites for tents. Each sleeping platform accommodates 5-8 people. There is no public vehicle access to the river camps. They are reached only by water and they are free.  For more information: http://www.suwanneeadventures.com/river-camps.html. We will paddle 9 miles on Friday, 18 miles on Saturday (with a lunch stop at Spirit of Suwannee River Music Park) and 9 miles on Sunday, all downstream and fun places to stop. You will need to bring something to sleep on, sleeping bag and pad, your personal gear/clothes, food all to be packed in your boat and carried downstream. Kayak/canoe rentals are not being arranged for this trip.  Meet at McDonalds on Chaffee Road south of I-10 at 9:00 AM.

Wed 12/2, 6:30pm, Monthly Meeting: Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Fri 12/4, 5:00 pm, St. Augustine Art Walk and Christmas Lights: Begin your holidays with a fun evening in beautiful downtown St. Augustine.  This is the monthly first Friday event where you stroll from gallery to gallery viewing art - the art varies so that there is always something new and for everyone's taste. National Geographic rates St. Augustine as one of the ten best holiday lighting locations in the world with two million tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere. The walk is from 5 to 9, and we will meet at the entrance to the San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St. at 5:00.  If you cannot be there at 5:00, call me at 6:00, and I will tell you where we are.  Event Host: Marta W., 904-635-7170.

Tue 12/8, Time TBD, Annual (Members Only) Christmas Party: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, (Near intersection of JTB & Gate-by Costco) 4907 Gate Pkwy, Jacksonville 32246.

Sat 12/12, 9:45am, Guana Tolomato State Park Hiking Trail:  Come join us for a fun morning of hiking in Ponte Vedra. We will meet at 8:30am at the Jacksonville Southeast Regional Library, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32256.  Not carpooling? We are meeting everyone at 9:45am, at the GUANA TOLOMATO MATANZAS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE parking lot, located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 32082. Please use Google Maps for directions. Access to the trails is at the west end of the Guana River Dam. We plan on exploring 10 miles of hiking trails.  The rich variety of natural resources include 73,000 acres of freshwater marsh/wetlands, hardwoods/mixed forest, beaches and wildlife. Bring water, energy bar, a hat, bug spray and comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes. Bathrooms and water fountain are located at the beginning of the trail. Directions: From St. Augustine, drive east on SR A1A across the Vilano Beach Causeway. Bear left (north) to stay on SR A1A and go 7.7 mi. (go through Vilano Beach).  Directions: From Jacksonville, exit J.T.Butler Blvd./ Ponte Vedra, drive south on SR AIA 17 miles. Admission fee is: $3.00 per vehicle up to 8 people. Leader: Vicki A.  For additional information: http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/guana-river/things-to-do/  and http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/gtm/

Sun, 12/21, Avondale’s Luminaria Parade and Christmas Walk: Details to follow.

Non-members and their guests must fill out a liability waiver form, available here, before participating in any Sidetrackers event or activity.  Please note that Meetup group membership alone is not the same as Sidetrackers club membership.  For more information please visit our Membership page.

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

2015 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.

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