October 24-26, 2008

Mark your calendars and set your PDAs and Blackberrys for the weekend of October 24-26, when the Apalachee Chapter will host the North Florida Regional Campout at the YMCA Camp Indian Springs in Wakulla County.

The event will kick off Friday night with a social get-together around a campfire, where you can compare tales with FTA members from other chapters in the region. On Saturday, there will be a day-hike along the scenic Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest, along with other hiking and paddling opportunities. A barbecue dinner will be available Saturday night at the campground, followed by musical entertainment and possibly even a late-night movie (Creature From the Dark Lagoon?). Before packing up on Sunday, campers or day-trippers can take a paddle on the Wakulla River or hike into Shepard Springs.

There is a $10 fee per night for camping in your own tent or the camp’s bunkhouse. The barbecue dinner on Saturday night is $6. All other meals are on your own. Camp Indian Springs is located on Bloxham Cutoff (SR 267) in north Wakulla County.

If you need more information, contact Richard Graham soon at 850-878-3616 or r_graham@lycos.com. To make reservations, click on THIS LINK for the reservation form. Print it out, fill it out, mail it in. Plan for a weekend of outdoor fun and adventure with other FTA members and guests.

Dec 6 Saturday P/M Torreya State Park Trail Care. Hike and enjoy autumn colors as you clip back vegetation along the Torreya Challenge Trail. Bring water and lunch. We will meet in Tallahassee for carpooling. Jerry Herting 850-878-3426.

Dec 6 - 7 Sat, Sun P/L Cape St. George Island. Educational overnight field trip to Little Cape St. George Island. We’ll take a boat ride out to the island off the coast of Apalachicola and enjoy an afternoon trolling the bay waters to see what we can find. We’ll spend the night at the Marshall house on the island and take a walking tour of the island before we head back home Sunday afternoon. There may still be redfish and trout, so bring your fishing pole. Limit 17 people. Call early to sign up. Gwen Beatty 850-942-7165.

December 9 “Annual Holiday Social.” Bring a covered dish or dessert and an inexpensive wrapped item for the gift-exchange game. Socialize with your fellow hiking and outdoor enthusiasts as we celebrate another year of hiking and outdoor adventures. For more information, call Richard Graham, Chapter Chair 850-878-3616.

Dec 11 Thursday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Dec 21 Sunday P/M W.D. Lines Tract. Enjoy a brisk hike through the woods and along beautiful Lake Talquin. Call 24 hrs in advance to sign up. Gwen Beatty 850-942-7165.

Dec 27 Saturday P/L 14^th Annual Phipps Park Holiday Hike. A leisurely, all-day hike on part of the hiking trail at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, with a lunch break at the beautiful Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Nov 8 Saturday P/L 7^th Annual Moonlight Hike. Experience the beauty of a full moon at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in northeast Tallahassee. Star- and moon-gazing compliments of the Tallahassee Astronomical Society. Campfire and s’mores, with stories told by Doug Alderson, author of “The Ghost Orchid Ghost and Other Tales from the Swamp.” Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Nov 9 Sunday P/M Fort Braden Trail. Enjoy a brisk hike through the woods and along beautiful Lake Talquin. Call 24 hrs in advance to sign up. Gwen Beatty 850-942-7165.

November 11 “Hiker’s Guide to the Prehistory and Archaeology of North Florida.” Ryan Means will inform hikers where and how to experience north Florida’s extensive archaeological record. He will tell us about the prehistoric human cultures and animals that went extinct during the last 15,000 years of our history and will teach us about projectile points–their types and ages. He’ll bring a teaching collection of artifacts for an interactive, hands-on experience. 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Rd., Bldg. F (first bldg. on the right). Look for Florida Trail signs on wooden door at east end of building. Free. Contact: Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Nov 13 Thursday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Nov 15 Saturday P/M Aucilla River Sinks Trail. Hike 8.5 miles from southern end to Goose Pasture Road and return; bring water and lunch. Limit 12. Walker Banning 850-878-2270.

Nov 19 Wednesday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Optional picnic lunch afterward. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Nov 21–23 Fri, Sat, Sun M/L Suwannee River Hike & Campout. Leave on Friday and camp at Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs. Hikes will be at the Big Shoals and other short trails in the area. Other opportunities include biking and canoeing. Return on Sunday. Limited to 7 people. Barbara Donner 850-514-4284.

Oct 3–5 Fri, Sat, Sun M/M Econfina Creek Hike and Campout. Leave on Friday and camp at a WMD primitive campsite on Ecofina Creek. On Saturday, we will hike the FNST along the creek. Other opportunities include biking and canoeing. Return on Sunday. Limit 7 people. Barbara Donner 850-514-4284.

Oct 11 Saturday P/M Torreya State Park Trail Care Hike. Enjoy an autumn day walking in Torreya Park as we clip back vegetation along the Torreya Trail loop. Bring water and lunch. We will meet in Tallahassee for carpooling. Jerry Herting 850-878-3426.

October 14 “So What’s New?” J.C. Gayhartt, owner of Tallahassee’s Trail and Ski outfitters, and an avid hiker, will show us the very latest in outdoor clothing and hiking gear. 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Rd., Bldg. F (first bldg. on the right). Look for Florida Trail signs on wooden door at east end of building. Free. Contact: Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Oct 17 Friday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Oct 18 Saturday P/M Trail Care Hike, FR 321 to Oak Park. Help improve this trail by clearing brush, repainting blazes, and mowing grass. Participants will need to dress for the weather, bring a lunch, water, and bug spray. The hike will be approx. 4 miles. Richard Graham 850-878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Oct 21 Tuesday Activities Planning Meeting. 6 p.m. US Forest Service Bldg F. David Harris 850-284-9967.

Oct 24-26 Fri, Sat, Sun P/L NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL CAMPOUT. The Apalachee Chapter will host a weekend campout at Camp Indian Springs in Wakulla County. Join FTA members from other chapters on hiking and paddling trips. For more information and Reservation Form, click on Chapter News. Richard Graham 850-878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Oct 25 Saturday P/L Leisure Hike, Sopchoppy River. Enjoy fall colors on this easy, 5-mile hike on the Florida National Scenic Trail along the Sopchoppy River. Galen Moses, 850-926-9476 galenmoses@aol.com

Oct 30 Thursday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Sept 13 Saturday P/L Orientation Tour of Phipps Park Trail for Potential Maintainers. Would you like to be a Trail Master right in Tallahassee? We’ll visit the various trail sections by car and foot so you can see whether you’d like to be responsible for a mile (or more) of the seven-plus miles of our trail in the park. If you’re interested, but can’t make it on this date, contact me to set up another time. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Sept 19 Friday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Have fun with your fellow hikers. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Sept 20 Saturday P/M Trail Care Hike From US 319 To FR 321. This will be a fun and exciting time bonding with fellow hikers as we improve this trail by clearing brush, repainting blazes, and mowing grass. Participants will need to dress for the weather, bring a lunch, water, and bug spray. The hike will be approximately 4 miles. Richard Graham, 850-878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Sept 25 Thursday P/L Phipps Park Trail Care Hike. Easy late-morning lopping/clipping along a short section of trail. Have fun with your fellow hikers. Optional picnic lunch afterward at the Oak Hammock. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Sept 27 Saturday M/M National Public Lands Day — Aucilla Wildlife Management Area Cleanup. The Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Suwannee River Water Management District have invited FTA, along with the Apalachee Canoe & Kayak Club, to participate in the cleanup along the Aucilla River and Sinks. Camping will be available on the 26^th at the Goose Pasture Group Camp for those who wish to camp. Adam Young from FWC’s Hunter Education Program will demonstrate the sport of archery and there may be opportunities for canoeing after the cleanup. Additional information: 1. Please bring an ingredient to throw in the stewpot for the group meal Friday night or a side dish or dessert to share. We will have a venison stew and a vegetarian option. This is the only meal provided. You are responsible for your own breakfast and lunch on Saturday. 2. Please bring your own water bottle. We will have drinking water in coolers for refills. Please leave bottled water out of this event. 3. Bring your own canoe or kayak for the afternoon fun paddle on Saturday. Remember a life jacket and whistle. If you need a boat, please call Liz Sparks to reserve one. If you have extra boats to share, that would be welcome–please let Liz know. If you plan to attend and/or camp, contact Liz Sparks of FWC, 850-922-6160 or Barbara Donner, 850-514-4284.

May and June trip reports have been moved from the “Chapter News” category to the new “Trip Reports” Page.

ACTIVITY LEADERS: please email trip reports and hike photos to Linda Patton for posting on the website.

Aug. 17 Sun P/L Canoe/Kayak the Econfina. Are you looking for a great way to cool off on a hot summer day? Join us for a leisurely paddle on Econfina Creek. Don’t forget to bring snacks, plenty of water and sun protection. Afterward we will stop at the Apalachee Restaurant in Bristol for a late lunch/early dinner. Contact: Gwen Beatty 850-942-7165. Sorry, this paddle had to be cancelled.

July 26 Sat P/L Slave Canal Paddle Trip. We’ll paddle 5 miles down the narrow, crystal-clear stream winding through a pristine swamp. The pace will be leisurely with refreshing dips in the cool water. Getting past fallen trees will require some maneuvering skill. Limit 12 canoes. Contact: Steve Haley 850-216-1764.