SUMMERFALL 2016 2015 eetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 pm. September location: Leon County Public Library in Tallahassee. Subsequent locations: Unitarian Universalist Church, 2810 N. Meridian Rd., Tallahassee. For more information,Dawn Brown contact (850)668-0091 Dawn Brown or (850)Liz Sparks 668-0091 (850)570-595 or Liz 0. MeetingsSparks (850) are 570-5950. open to the Meetings public. are open to the public. CHAPTER OFFICERS MEETING PROGRAMS CHAIR Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 [email protected] October 11 "ENGLAND'S COAST TO COAST WALK." The VICE-CHAIR Coast to Coast Walk is a 192-mile footpath in Northern England-- Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 from St Bees on the Irish Sea through the Lake District and the [email protected] Yorkshire moors to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea. It passes TREASURER through 3 national parks: the Lake District NP, the Yorkshire Dales Elizabeth Slack (850) 320-2760 NP, and the North York Moors NP. Linda Williams and a friend [email protected] walked it in 2011 to celebrate their 70th birthdays. They did the MEMBERSHIP hike without a guide, but with support from an outfitter: their lug- Lori Gilbertson (850) 420-0132 [email protected] gage was moved each day; they had only to find it by nightfall. It TRAILS COORDINATOR is described as a long, tough walk...and it was. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 [email protected] November 8 "HIKING IN IRELAND: THE WICKLOW WAY." ACTIVITIES The Wicklow Way is one of Ireland’s most popular National Way- Ray Cade (850) 508-7593 marked trails. It is a moderate to strenuous long-distance trail in [email protected] southeast Ireland—beginning in Marlay Park in the southern sub- PROGRAMS urbs of Dublin, crossing the Wicklow Mountains, and ending in the Liz Sparks (850) 570-5950 village of Clonegal in County Carlow. It follows forest tracks, [email protected] mountain paths, and quiet country roads and lanes. Dawn and PUBLICITY/WEBSITE/VOL. HRS. John Griffin hiked this popular trail in May 2015. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334 [email protected] December 13 "HOLIDAY PARTY & POTLUCK .” Celebrate the NEWSLETTER VACANT season by joining our annual holiday potluck and gift exchange. Bring a dish to share (turkey/ham provided by the Chapter) and a wrapped gift to participate in the exchange. The gift should be trail SECTION LEADERS or outdoors related if possible, and can be purchased-but- FNST: ANF WEST inexpensive or hand-made. If you’re feeling extra festive, write a Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 short poem or limerick describing the gift! FNST: ANF EAST NEW and RETURNING MEMBERS CONTENTS Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 FNST: ST. MARKS May 2016 - July 2016 Dale Allen (850) 656-8050 1......... Programs / People FNST: AUCILLA 2-4..... Oct.-Dec. Activities Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 Aubry and Virginia Harrington, Deborah 4-5..... Articles FT. BRADEN TRACT Kochman, Samantha LaFortune, Amanda and From the Chair Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 Keith Lawhon, Jeanne Phoenix, & Janis Spitzer Protein Bar Recipe ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS PARK Go Green (get the Blaze via email) Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 Torreya S.P. Section Leader Needed TORREYA STATE PARK FTA 50th Anniversary Celebration As of 8/1/16: 252 memberships / 333 members Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426 6........FTA Membership Form PLEASE NOTE: The Florida National Scenic Trail and other Oct 9, 23 & 30 Sun. P/M-S St. Marks National Wildlife forest trails are part of the natural environment. Rough, un- Refuge Hikes. We’re going to do this again for the fourth year!!! even, and/or slippery surfaces, protruding roots, encroaching These hikes are designed primarily for hikers who would like to vegetation, fallen branches, mud and water, insects and other increase their endurance on the trail. We will gradually increase wildlife, irritating plants and other hazards may be present. our mileage to 12-14 miles by the end of the winter. We will hike Wear boots and use caution. If you question whether a hike is over flat ground and maintain a relatively brisk pace. Bring water within your ability, contact the Activity Leader. For more and trail snacks for several hours. This activity is appropriate for information go to www.apalachee.floridatrail.org and click on anyone wishing to train for backpacking or for power walking a half marathon race. Bring your pack loaded with 50 to 60% final load. Contact: Dawn Brown (850) 545-0351 dbrown1948 Your membership in the Florida Trail Association helps make @embarqmail.com our activities open and accessible to everyone. If you are a Oct. 11 Tue. P/L Chapter Meeting. member, thank you! If you are not a member, please consider making a donation to the FTA at outings you attend. Give your Oct. 16 Sun. P/L "May the Forest Be With You." The Chapter donation to the hike leader. Or join the FTA today: will host a Backpacking Basics event from 1-4 p.m. in Discovery http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-difference/become-a-member Field at Cascades Park in downtown Tallahassee. The event will share information with the public by showcasing hiking and back- ACTIVITY LEADERS packing opportunities in our region and having demonstration stations such as: Getting Started (places to go, planning tips, Dale Allen Lori Gilbertson John Laney clothing, understanding fitness level), Pack Options (and orga- Steve Babcock Richard Graham Laura Newton nizing your stuff), Kitchen (cooking, stove, meals, equipment, Gwen Beatty Dawn Griffin Howard Pardue water filtration), Shelter (tents, tarps, hammocks), “Buzz Ultra Karen Berkley Barry Haber Linda Patton Light Gear,” and Leave No Trace. Contact: Dawn Griffin (850) Cathy Briggs Jerry Herting Gary Sisco 509-6103 [email protected] Mike Tucker Louis Brooks Ashley Hopkins Oct. 20-23 Thu.-Sun. P/L FTA 50th ANNIVERSARY CELE- Carol Watkins Dawn Brown Al Ingle BRATION--From 3pm on Thurs. to 11am on Sun. at the George Weaver Ray Cade James Kimbrel Sanborn Center, 815 S. Alabama Ave., DeLand, Fl. Over Bob Daniels Kent Wimmer Melanie Knapp three nights we'll be "Honoring the Past, Blazing the Future" as we hold our conference and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Leisurely (L) = 1-2 mph walking pace (Ex.: 11/27 ) the Florida Trail Association! Many speakers and guests includ- Moderate (M) = 2-3 mph walking pace (Ex.: 10/8 ) ing Elam and Nic Stoltzfus—as well as representatives from the Strenuous (S) = 3-4+ mph walking pace (Ex .: 11/5 ) Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition—who will be on hand as we screen their beautiful nature films. Learn more about the history Oct. 1 Sat. P/M Trail Care: Apalachicola National Forest— and future plans of the FTA, as well as volunteer opportunities Hwy 319 to FR 321. Mow, blaze and clean trail. Contact: and outdoor skills; see the new Florida Historical Marker com- Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 [email protected] memorating the "Birth of the Florida Trail;" and meet representa- Oct. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 & 31 Mon. & Wed. P/S Stress tives of FTA's partners and supporters. This is also an opportu- Buster Brisk Walks! Join us on our quest to get a bit healthier nity to check out the natural beauty and recreational amenities of and slow down the muffin tops! Mondays we will walk along the Volusia and Lake Counties. The Sanborn Center is right next Miccosukee Greenway (4-8 miles) and Wednesdays we walk (4 door to the charming campus of Stetson University, and the miles) on one of the Lafayette Heritage trails. Meet near the great restaurants and shops of DeLand—known as "The Athens restroom. Come at 5:15 and be ready to hike at 5:30 SHARP. of Florida." Registration is now open, with lodging and meal Bring flashlight/headlamp, snack (if needed), and water. Come options, at http://www.floridatrail.org/fta50 hydrated and dress in layers. We will attempt to maintain a pace Oct. 29 Sat. M/M St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Bike Ride. Meet of 3.0-3.2 mph. But distance and speed is up to you and how at 10 a.m. and ride 4 mi. out to “Old Port Leon” and tour the rem- you feel that particular day! RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/ nants of "ghost town" Port Leon, the first Refuge headquarters, & Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking and check there, before starting the rail depot of Port Leon. Return trip 4 mi., with optional longer out, for last-minute instructions and trailhead meeting location return ride. FTA MEMBERS ONLY. LIMIT 10 PEOPLE. Contact: (map). Contact: Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected] Carol Watkins-Babcock (313) 319-9463 [email protected] Oct. 8 Sat. P/M Tate’s Hell High Bluff Hiking Trail . Explore Nov. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, & 30 Mon. & Wed. P/S Stress the High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail in Tate’s Hell State Forest on Buster Brisk Walks! Join us on our quest to get a bit healthier a 4-mi.interpretive hike. Floridahikes.com/high-bluff-coastal-trail and slow down the muffin tops! Mondays we walk 4-8 mi. along Pack a lunch to eat on the trail. Following the hike, other options the Miccosukee Greenway and Wednesdays we walk 4 mi. on could include visiting the Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk. Carpool one of the Lafayette Heritage trails. Meet near the restroom. from Tallahassee at 8:30 a.m. Meet at 9:30 at the east trailhead. Come at 5:15 and be ready to hike at 5:30 SHARP.