WalkingBuddies.com

First Coast Trail Forgers Walking Club Gainesville, FL Group Walk

November 5, 2007 @ 3:18 am · Filed under Organizations, Hiking Vacations, Walking Events, Walking Trails, Walking in Florida

Gainesville – University of Florida

Saturday Morning, November 10

Hosted by the First Coast Trail Forgers

Year-Round Event

We will carpool from our house on Saturday 11/10. Please call (904-230-1260) to let us know you want to car pool and be at 1197 Cunningham Creek Drive, Fruit Cove, FL by 8 AM. We will leave promptly at 8 AM Saturday morning. Go to http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1197+Cunningham+Creek+Dr,+Jacksonville,+FL+32259,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title for directions to our house.

The First Coast Trail Forgers will host a group walk of their Gainesville/University of Florida year-round trail on Saturday, November 10, at 9:45 at the VA Hospital pavilion. Please go to: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1601+SW+Archer+Rd,+Gainesville,+FL+32608,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title for directions to the trail-head Pavilion at the Veterans Hospital.

Trail: The trail is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs but extreme caution must be exercised at busy street crossings. Pets must be leashed, under control. Part of this trail is on a boardwalk path to Lake Alice and is not recommended to be done alone or near dusk. The walk is around the beautiful University of Florida campus, home of the Florida Gators. The University is the oldest in the state of Florida. The northeast quadrant of the campus is on the Register of Historic Places. This walk qualifies for the College Campus walking program. Distance is either 5K or 10K (3 or 6 miles).

Cost: $3 for AVA credit; free for non-credit

walkers.

Directions:

From I-75 take exit 384 east onto FL 24 (Archer Rd). Stay on Archer Rd to the VA Hospital picnic pavilion (directions above

Permalink Comments

E-News for Florida Walkers - November 4, 2007

November 5, 2007 @ 3:17 am · Filed under Organizations, Hiking Vacations, Walking Events, Walking Trails, Walking in Florida

Hi Florida Walkers,

This E-News is packed full with upcoming events in November!

Next Saturday evening, November 10, the Happy Wanderers will host their 9th Annual Veteran’s Walk in Port Orange. This is a new event; see details below.

Also next weekend, two different group year-round walks are available. On November 10 (Saturday), the First Coast Trail Forgers will host a group walk of their Gainesville/University of Florida year-round trail. And on November 11 (Sunday), and the Happy Wanderers will meet in Port Orange to walk their year-round trail there (a different trail than the Saturday Port Orange walk).

The Mid-Florida Milers will host their next walk November 17 on the Cady Way Trail in Orlando. This is a unique walk in which walkers will be chauffeured to the end of the trail, where they will then walk the 10K (6 miles) back to the registration area where they left their car. Of course, if you want to walk 20K (13 miles), you can start at the registration area and walk both ways! A 5K (3 miles) trail will also be available. Details are below.

The Mid-Florida Milers also want club members and friends to reserve their spot at the Mid-Florida Milers Annual Holiday Dinner. See your special invitation below!

The Trinity Trekkers of Texas are returning to Orlando on November 23, 24, 25 to host walks at Disney World! Two different walks can be walked any of the three days and will go into all 4 parks. There is a special package if you want to stay in the resort and get a great discount on Disney passes. To walk the trails, you must have tickets into the parks. Pre-registration for the special resort package ends on November 17, so contact David Toth at TrinTrek@sbcglobal.net or 210-521-8684, if you are interested in the package. He will send you the details you need for booking. You can also call GeTTravel, which is handling the reservations at 1-888-877-4445. The special package includes 3-night accommodations at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort, a 3-day Theme Park hopper ticket, registration for both walks and the commemorative medal. If you contact David Toth or GeTTravel, they will tell you the price.

Disney does offer special discounts to Florida residents for multi-day tickets if you don’t need or want accommodations. Check out Disney.com for that kind information.

If you have the package, multi-day hopper park tickets, or seasonal/annual passes, and want to have a fun weekend walking in and enjoying Disney parks, then see details of the walks below.

For those who want a different walk that same weekend (which, by the way, is Thanksgiving weekend), the Meandering Manatees want you to know that they are hosting their Post-Turkey Trot at Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey on November 23 & 24. Details below.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write to me!

Happy Trails,

Letty

Permalink Comments

Mid Florida Milers Walks

November 5, 2007 @ 3:16 am · Filed under Organizations, Hiking Vacations, Walking Events, Walking Trails, Walking in Florida

The Mid Florida Milers have sent us their walking schedule for Dec, and Jan through June 2008 - for your info.

1 December, Brooksville and San Antonio, Citrus County
Description: The start is 0900-1000. The Brooksville walk closes after 31 December so we take a drive through Brooksville and meet at the trailhead just off SR 50 west of the SR 529. Brooksville is an 11 kilometer (6.8 miles) mostly unshaded walk route along the Sunshine parkway. After Brooksville we drive to San Antonio for a College Campus 10km walk with a rating of 2. We will eat there before starting on the route that will take walkers through the charming small town of San Antonio, then onto the village of St. Leo, to enjoy a look at the Holy
Name Monastery, the Grotto of Lourdes, and St. Leo University. The walk is a credit only walk. There is an Holiday Inn Express a short distance form the start and a Comfort Inn about 6 miles away. Pets are welcome; wheelchairs and strollers expect an easy walk at Brooksville but medium to hard in San Antonio. The walks are free unless IVV credit is needed which is $3.00.

Directions: From Orlando take SR 408, west to the Florida Turnpike. Then north to Exit 272 & turn left on SR 50 and proceed 50 mi west to Brooksville. Drive under the SR 589 Suncoast Parkway, turn left on the 1st street, Grove, and follow to the trailhead. From Tampa and St. Pete go north on the Suncoast Parkway, SR 589, to Brooksville Exit. Turn left to the 1st street, Grove, and follow to the trailhead. From I-75 at exit 301 turn west on US 98/SR 50. Continue thru Brooksville on SR 50A toward Weeki Wachee Drive under the SR 589 Suncoast Parkway, turn left on the 1st street, Grove, and follow to the trailhead.

A new Motel is about 1/2 Miles West off the Trail Head: Holiday Inn “Express” (Motel & Suites), Brooksville 14112 Cortez Blvd. (Cortez is Highway 50) Brooksville, Florida 34613 Phone (352) 597-4540

15 December, Windermere, Orange County, Night Walk
Description:The start is 1715-1815. There are 5 and 10 km routes to view the holiday decorations. This is the second year MFM has teamed for a night walk in Windermere in conjunction with the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. The cost of the event is $8.00 and there will be a long sleeve T with a with a scene of the Windermere Union Church
painted by local artist Mariola Nowicki. on the front available to the 1st 200 persons. The cost includes IVV credit. Bring flashlights and route map and route signs are provided. Pets are not recommended and the unpaved roads make wheelchair and stroller use a medium to hard difficulty.

Directions: From Orlando on I-4 take the Conroy Exit #78B and drive 6 mi to Windermere. From Tampa use Exit 75B, Kirkman, and turn left onto Conroy Windermere. Drive 4.5 mi. Cross Main Street and the Town Hall is on the right.

22 December, Maitland, Orange County, Night Walk
Description: The start is from 1730-1800 at Lake Lily. There are 5 and 10 km routes that visit the venues with holiday lights and provide a nice evening walk at your pace prior to Christmas eve. The walk is a credit only walk. Pets are not recommended; wheelchairs and strollers expect medium difficult walks. Bring flashlights. The walk is free unless IVV credit is needed which is $3.00.

Directions: From Orlando take Interstate 4 east to Exit 90A, Maitland Blvd., and exit right; from Daytona use exit 90 and turn left to the second light, Maitland Ave. Turn right, go 1.5 miles Lake Lily (3 blocks past Horatio). Turn right into the park. From Sanford or Orlando drive on US 17/92 to Maitland Ave. (just pass Dodge Station on the left from the north and after Lake Ave. intersection from the south). This is a RR Heritage walk.

January 1
1 January 2008, Lake Buena Vista, Orange County, walk and lunch
Description: The start is from 1000-1030 at Lake Lily. There are 5 and 10 km routes that visit Downtown Disney and lunch is available afterwards at the Crab House, $13 inclusive, pay at the walk. the options are entrees of: stuffed or grilled shrimp, Grilled chicken, broiled seafood platter, or crab cake; all entrees will also include broccolli and steamed rice, tossed Garden Salad with Italian Dressing, Coffee, Tea, or Soda, and Dessert–Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce. Tax and gratuity included. Please email or call with attendance so we can give a count to the restaurant (407.894.3069/barnar@bellsouth.net). Pets are not allowed for this walk. The walk is free unless IVV credit is needed which is $3.00.

Directions: : From Tampa, Daytona, Orlando or Seminole County take I-4 to Exit 68, Lake Buena Vista, SR 535, and exit north (left from Tampa; right from Orlando). Turn RIGHT at second light after the freeway on Palm Parkway. Drive 0.3 miles to Crab House and other restaurants (Kobe) on the right.
From Cocoa and East Orlando use SR 528 (toll) to I-4 west (Tampa) to Exit 68, SR 535 and exit right (north). Turn RIGHT at second light after the freeway on Palm Parkway. Drive 0.3 miles to Crab House and other restaurants (Kobe) on the right.

Permalink Comments

Missouri State Park E-Newsletter

November 1, 2007 @ 9:12 pm · Filed under Stay The Night, Organizations, Hiking Vacations, Walking Events, Walking Trails

Hello, Missouri State Park eFriends.

Welcome to the November issue of Missouri State Park eFriends. I would
like to relay to you the latest news from around the Missouri state park
system. First things first…see below. We want your input!

======Visioning Online — WE WANT YOUR HELP!!!======
The Missouri state park system is looking ahead to the next 10 years to
see what challenges and trends must be met and how to meet them. Its proud
history began in 1917 but to remain a viable state park system, it must
look ahead. To meet these challenges, the division began what it calls the
” visioning” process. The process began with meetings and workshops with
park staff and constituents. The ideas were collected under six main
topics: staff training and expansion; funding; new or expanded facilities;
programs and event expansion; diversity initiatives; and marketing and
promotions. This information is now available on the Web. Your input on
these ideas is important to us. Please go online at
http://www.mostateparks.com/visioning.htm and give us your comments on the
ideas. The Web site will remain active through Jan. 31, 2008.

We also invite your comments on eFriends and the state park system in
general. Your input is important to us and is used as a tool to provide
better services to all of our customers.

Thanks for keeping us on your mailing list and for participating in our
activities.

Douglas Eiken, Director
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Division of State Parks

======Find the Director and WIN A PRIZE!!!======
Congratulations to Melanie Smith, of Little Rock, Ark., who correctly
guessed the Katy Depot in Sedalia as October’s location of the Find the
Director. She has won a gift certificate that can be used for two free
nights of camping in any Missouri state park or historic site campground.
To view last month’s mystery state park or historic site and read comments
from the director, go to http://www.mostateparks.com/findthedir1007.htm

Each month, a photograph of a state park or historic site taken by Doug
Eiken, the division director, will be featured along with clues to its
identity. If you know or can guess the identity of the site, submit your
answer by Nov. 23 to qualify for a prize. For more details, go to
http://www.mostateparks.com/findthedirector.htm

======Featured Site======
Long Branch State Park, Macon
Nestled in the rolling farmland of northern Missouri is Long Branch Lake.
Three separate areas around the lake have been designated as Long Branch
State Park, providing public access to the lake and remaining natural
features of the area. Visitors can fish, camp and picnic along the lake
for some of Missouri’s finest views.

For more information on Long Branch State Park, visit
http://www.mostateparks.com/longbranch.htm

======Special Events======
Hanging of the Greens
Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock
Join residents on Nov. 24 as they decorate the village of Arrow Rock for
Christmas. Caroling and awaiting Santa’s arrival will happen on the
boardwalk, while other events are being planned at the site’s visitor
center. Activities include decorating an old fashioned Christmas tree,
making “natural ornaments” to take home and more.

For more information and a complete listing of special events in your
area, visit http://www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm

======Sport Shows======
Visit our Missouri state park booth at one of the following sport shows:

Kansas City Sport Show, Bartle Hall, Jan. 9-13
St. Louis RV Show, America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome, Jan.10-13
Columbia Sport Show, Hearnes Center, Jan. 25-27
St. Louis Boat Show, America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome, Feb. 6-10

For more information, contact us at moparks@dnr.mo.gov

======2008 Katy Trail Bike Ride======
In June every year, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources sponsors
a five-day, four-night bicycle tour of the nation’s longest developed
rail-trail, Katy Trail State Park. More than 300 bicyclists from 27 states
participated in the 2007 ride.

For more information about the 2008 Katy Trail Bike Ride, visit
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2008ride.htm

====================================================================
Missouri State Park eFriends Newsletter
Change your e-mail address or unsubscribe: moparks@dnr.mo.gov
====================================================================
Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are funded primarily by the
one-tenth-of-one-percent parks-and-soils sales tax. The tax was first
approved by Missouri voters in 1984 and renewed by voters in 1988, 1996
and 2006.

_______________________________________________
Missouri State Park eFriends mailing list
moparks@dnr.mo.gov
http://www.mostateparks.com/efriends.htm

Permalink Comments

Archive forNovember, 2007

First Coast Trail Forgers Walking Club Gainesville, FL Group Walk

E-News for Florida Walkers - November 4, 2007

Mid Florida Milers Walks

Missouri State Park E-Newsletter

Pages

Archives

Categories

Search

Meta