2007 - 2008
Activity Reviews - Sep ‘07 thru Aug ’08
Activity reviews written by Chapter members for the 2007 - 2008 activities season starting September 1, 2007. (Click on the thumbnail photos to see the big picture)
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Ladies Only Backpack Myakka - Apr 5-6
Annette, Chris and Charissa set out from Foxs Low Road to hike to Mossy campsite on a beautiful warm Saturday afternoon. The trail was very well maintained and the hiking is so nice through the oak hammocks. The resurrection fern was lush on the oak branches from the recent rains. We hiked a while then took a short break taking in the view and listening to the birds. Arriving a camp the 3 of set out getting firewood and then putting up our tents. We each a nice evening meal and settled in to a restful night by the fire. After much talk and laughing we heard thunder off in the distance. About 10pm it was time for bed and a light rain started. Once safe in our tents the skies opened and thunder and lightning surrounded us. The weather calmed down to just a rain until early morning so we slept soundly.
In the morning the skies were bright blue and sand hill cranes in the distance woke us. Breaking camp we headed leisurely back to the cars. After visiting with Tom who was camped in the main park with the “Eco” camper we said our goodbyes. A great weekend with friends and mother nature. submitted by Annette
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Cross Florida Greenway Trail - Mar 30-Apr 2
Amblers Chuck, Betty, Morrie, Ann, Jean, Karen, Mickey and Michael biked a total of 85 miles over four days, on the Cross Florida Greenway Trail, the Withlacoochee Bay Trail and the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Sunday was spent traveling to the trail in the morning, then biking between the Land Bridge and the Santos Campground on the Cross Florida Greenway trail. Part of the team went east to west, and part traveled in the opposite direction to facilitate transportation to the trailhead. This part of the trail is trail (wilderness) biking, but a fairly simple route. More difficult options are available. The Florida Trail and an equistrian trail parallel the bike trail. Dinner was Italian carryout and was quite delicious. Total mileage for the day was 10 miles.
Monday we continued westward from the Land Bridge Trailhead as a group. Chuck and Michael staged transportation at the Pruitt Trailhead to the west and met the rest of the group at the jumping off point. Again, more trail work was involved, but most of the riding was on wagon road, so several stretches found us riding side by side. The Cross Florida Greenway is very scenic in this area and it is a bit bumpy so hybrid or mountain bikes are needed. The view is worth the bumpy ride though. We saw deer, an abandoned cistern and a beautiful memorial deep in the woods. Michael experienced some equipment issues at the beginning of the ride, and this would plague him the rest of the trip. At one point, Morrie determined that a gravity test was required to ensure a soft landing in the event of an accident so he happily obliged by falling from his mount and landing in some soft sand.
After completing this 27 mile leg of the trail, the group returned to the trailhead and retrieved their vehicles. The caravan was quite a site to behold with a large motorcoach w/toad, SUV with travel trailer, an SUV with two bicycles, a minivan with a bicycle and a kayak and a 4-door sedan with a bicycle and two kayaks.
After setting up camp, the crew headed west in three vehicles to the Withlacoochee Bay trailhead at US19 just south of Inglis. This leg of the trip was an out and back ride from the trailhead to the Gulf of Mexico, about 5 miles each way. Mother Nature offered just a light drizzle of rain to keep things cooler and the noseeums felt it was their responsibility to keep us from dallying and enjoying the scenery. On the way back to camp, the team stopped for a fabulous mexican dining experience in beautiful downtown Dunnellon.
Tuesday we proceeded to the Withlacoochee State Trail and again split the team in two to facilitate transportation. Part of the team started near Dunnellon for a north to south transit, and the remaining party proceeded to Istachatta for a south to north ride. The southbound team enjoyed a bratwurst stand for lunch, while the northbound team stopped for a sack lunch along the way. The two teams met in a shady spot along the way and exchange car keys for the return trip to camp. Lots of Gopher Tortoise were spotted along the trail. Both teams enjoyed the services provided at the Istachatta General Store. Total mileage for the day was 30 miles.
Our final day on trail was Thursday where most of the team met in Istachatta to stage the vehicles while Chuck proceeded with his motorcoach to the Southern Terminus. The bikers and two vehicles were soon to follow and the team once again proceeded in opposite directions. The remaining mileage was slighly over 16 miles for the day. Lunch was enjoyed on the trail and the two teams met to exchange keys and good-byes. The trail was shared this day with something over 600 bikers from the Bike Florida event as they proceeded from the south.
A leisurely day was spent peddaling and everyone went on their way to new destinations. Some headed south towards home, others stayed nearby for more adventures paddling, some went north to see friends and one went further north still to visit family and take in a bluegrass festival, the circus and a couple of ballgames. Total mileage for the week was about 85 miles.
Many thanks to Chuck and Betty for organizing a great trip. Beautiful scenery, fun times, great food and camaradarie made for a most enjoyable four days. Also thanks to Captain Morgan, several sugar/sweetner packets, and a couple of tea bags for resolving some logistics puzzles. submitted by Michael photos by Betty
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Florida Hiking Festival/Florida Trail Association Annual Conference - Mar 28-30
Several members attended the annual conference at Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park in White Springs, FL. In attendance were Alligator Amblers Carlos, Chuck, Betty, Jean, Jack, Gerry, Mickey, Tracey, Elaine C, Elaine S and Michael. The Amblers were responsible for running the Family Activities for kids in attendance and the activities provided by the Amblers were both fun and educational. Otherwise we were all left to our own design.
Some went on organized hikes, others participated in impromptu activities. There were lots of informational displays, opportunities for bidding on auction items, raffle tickets and the Orange Blaze Mercantile was open for business.
Congratulations to Chapter Chair Carlos Schomaker on his election to the FTA Board of Directors. Also, contragulations to Charissa Weber for winning third place in two different catagories of the 2008 Florida Trail Photo contest.
Campfires, great food and refreshments were enjoyed by all. Lots of new friends were made, old acquaintances were renewed and existing friendships solidified. submitted by Michael
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Monthly Members Meeting - Mar 20
photos by Morrie
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Fort Myers Beach Walk - Mar 6
Twenty-five participants accompanied Pat on a Sunset Walk on Fort Myers Beach on March 5. . . . . we broke into 3 groups and had an interesting walk although there was not much of a sunset that evening. . . . . we found interesting shells and 2 lovely starfish which were live so we gently returned them to the beach. Dinner was enjoyed later at a local restaurant.
We almost filled the trolley on the ride home!
It was especially wonderful for me as I was able to reaquaint with several friends after my illness and return to Florida. submitted by Pat
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Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center - Feb 16
On a beautiful day with clear blue skies 14 hikers met in Punta Gorda for an adventure at CHEC. Thanks to MaryAnn Hughes, a volunteer, we were able to split up the group and learn a lot more about the local flora and fauna. I took Sheila, Gloria, Heinz, Elvira, Marge, Jim, John and his best friend Daisy, the very energetic Basset Hound. We started on the Pine Flatwoods trail/Three Lakes Trail and saw many wildflowers and ferns along with all 3 varieties of mangroves. MaryAnn took Paul, Phyllis, David,Richard and Betty on the Eagle Point trail to start. We met at the visitor center and then went in opposite directions to do more exploring. The trails were all very well maintained.
Special thanks to MaryAnn for helping me on the hike and all of the great volunteers at CHEC. All of us enjoyed a great day in the real Florida! submitted by Annette
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Big Cypress National Preserve - Feb 3
A very special thank you from the 26 hikers to our half dozen dedicated shuttle drivers who took precious time from their Sunday morning to drive us all down to the trailhead and leave us to our own volition to cross over 7 miles of Florida swampland to return to our cars. Thank you!!!
Also thanks to our three able bodied crew leaders who kept us together and kept us moving so we could all return home in time for the Super Bowl.
Cheers to you for making our chapter activities successful!
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Canoe/Kayak Upper Prairie Creek - Oct 13
Seven paddlers met at Hathaway park, and we drove up to Prairie Creek and launched there. Our group consisted of Barbara R, Len, Cornelia, Hugo, Chris, Barbara N and leader Frank. We started up the creek at 9:30, paddled about 4 miles, stopped and had lunch on a sandy knoll under some old oaks. Then paddled back with the wind to our backs. We were able to drift with the slow current that pushed us. This is beautiful water way, it meanders through some virgin Florida landscape. It was a “cruising down the river on a Saturday afternoon ” kind of day. Weather was great, breeze blowing gently all day. Another great Florida trip. submitted by Frank
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Withlacoochee State Trail - Oct 6 & 7
This trip details a great bike ride and a unexpected experience. Tom, Charissa and I journeyed to Inverness to participate in the 13th Annual Rail to Trail bike ride. Not being distant riders we signed on for the 16 mile ride. This event attracted aver 1500 bikers, and every imaginable model of bike that is made was there. Tom and Charissa were the center of attraction throughout the ride. They have two beautiful dogs that accompany them where they go, so why not a bike ride? Tom pulls one in a small carriage behind his bike and Charissa carries the other one in a basket on the handle bar. Heads were constantly turning as they rode on the trail and many bikers stopped to photograph them and chat with them at the sag stop. It was a great day for a ride and shaded n both directions.
Now the experience. Tom and Char spent Friday night at Holder Mine campground in Whitlacoochee Forest. I arrived on Saturday and was welcomed by a blocked entrance road. Sheriff deputies and posse on horseback. At about 2:30AM Tom had heard 5 gunshots near the park entrance and was welcomed by law enforcement officers with many questions. Apparently, a man had been killed.
Saturday nite we slept well and off to bike ride and home Sunday. A great trip. submitted by Frank
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Fisheating Creek - Aug 5
Pictures of Apple Snail eggs and Amblers on the water.
