Trekker Talk. Chapter Council Meeting Notes FRIENDS OF JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK PHOTO CONTEST F L O R I D A T R A I L A S S O C I A T I O N

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1 F L O R I D A T R A I L A S S O C I A T I O N Tropical Trekkers Chapter P.O. Box 423 Palm City, FL Chapter Meeting Welcome The Tropical Trekkers meet on the second Monday of each month at the Palm City Community Center, located on Cornell Avenue at the Southwest corner of the Palm City Bridge. The meeting begins at 6:45 PM with sign up sheets available for upcoming activities. By 7:00 PM the monthly program begins. We often invite outside speakers that compliment our outdoors theme. February Meeting is moved to a new date! (Continued on page 2) I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : Activities List 3 Activity Corner 5 Officers & Directors List 9 BOD Meeting 10 Chapter Council Meeting Notes Gainesville, Florida January 26, Trekker Talk V o l u m e 2 0, N u m b e r 2 By Kay Clements The Forest Service has backed off the plan to eliminate the western corridor of the FNST. However, priority (for purchasing land, getting easements, etc.) will go to the eastern corridor. FTA leaders will Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C. in February. They plan to meet with congressmen and other trail organizations. FTA Board is studying concept of how to gain new members and contributions. Many ideas were presented. A presentation emphasized the FTA mission statement. Does the new idea: a) make the FTA stronger in people? B) make the FTA stronger financially? If the answers are yes, then do it. It is a priority. If the answers are no, then maybe do it. It is not a priority. We were reminded that this is not just a hiking club. We should try things. If it fails, drop it. But try things. FTA finances should be in the black when December s finances are finalized. FTA gets only $250, from the Forest Service now. We need to raise funds. Get Your Cameras Ready! (Continued on page 2) FRIENDS OF JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK PHOTO CONTEST Hobe Sound, FL The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park is sponsoring the park s annual photo contest. Contest categories include Florida General (landscapes, scenes, people, man-made structures, etc.), Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP), Youth Florida Nature (ages 16 and under), and Creative nature. See rules and guidelines for detailed instructions. The Judge for this year s competition will be world renowned photographer Clyde Butcher. Entries are due March 24 and the entry fee is $15 which includes up to three photo entries; additional entries are $5 each. Prizes will be awarded! Finalists will be exhibited in the Kimbell Center, and category winners will receive cash and other prizes. For contest details, and entry and release forms, visit (Continued on Page 2)

2 P a g e 2 (Continued from page 1) Chapter Meeting (continued) February 18th Program: Melissa Meeker, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District joins us to discuss the progress on the Everglades and Kissimmee River Restoration projects. March 11th Program: Lori Burris will talk about How Trails Get Built. April 8th Program: This month's program is a presentation on Land Management: Fires, ditch filling, imperiled species, exotic species removal, etc. presented by JDSP Park Biologist Robin Rossmanith. Photo Contest (Continued from Page 1) events.cfm, or contact Libby Reinert at the Kimbell Center, , libby.reinert@dep.state.fl.us. The contest exhibition will take place at the Kimbell Education Center located in the park at SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL This event is sponsored by the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Inc., a community-based, nonprofit organization that advocates for the historical, educational, and ecological enhancement of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Chapter Council Meeting Notes (Continued from Page 1) The FTA will be looking for an Executive Director in the future. In the meantime, Janet Akerson is the administration director. Memberships are at 3,145. That amounts to 4,444 members. More members will make us stronger! Invite your friends to join us! The FTA board has reaffirmed that the FTA supports the concept of multi-use trails, but FTA trails will be footpaths, only. More changes are planned for the web site. All chapters have submitted their hours (this is the first time) and hours reported from September until January 25 are 14,530. Work hours include boots on the ground and mileage traveled (not hours traveled). Administrative hours are separately reported in addition. Contacts in the FTA office are Janet Akerson (administration and bookkeeping), Megan Donoghue (Communications), and Renee? (membership). The FTA state conference is March 15-17th at Camp McConnell near Gainesville. Registration is online. Regional trail offices and programs are planned when funds become available. The first regional trail office may be in White Springs. project proposals must come from the land manager. Upcoming regional conferences are: South Region Hosted by Big Cypress and Fisheating Creek Subchapter: Will be held from November 15th to 17th at Fisheating Creek. North Central Region: There will be a one-day conference. Central Region: Unknown. Panhandle Region: Date and place TBA. Chuck Barrowclough was introduced as the new trail coordinator for Tropical Trekkers. Collecting money from attendees of a hike/event was discussed. The conclusion was: We cannot charge for participation but we can ask for a suggested donation from participants. This cannot take place on federal or state property. Charging for an activity implies that the leader is a professional. This has liability problems. Entrance fees, charges for food purchased, and other expenses incurred at the event can be collected.

3 TROPICAL TREKKERS ACTIVITIES LISTING February P a g e 3 When Where Event Description Difficulty, Participation* Activity Leaders, Contact Sat. Feb. 2, Myakka River State Park Sarasota **NEW** Outing and Hiking in Myakka River State Park - Spend the day with us exploring the beautiful Myakka RSP where we will hike some of the 39 miles of trail, bird walk, interpretative walk, Canopy Walkway climbing the 74 ft. tower, picnic lunch, concession and Visitors Center. State Park Entrance fee. Dinner in Arcadia on the way home. Call or write for details. Leisure to Members and Guests Janet Bartha Tues. Feb. 5, Wed. Feb. 6, Fri. - Sat. Feb. 8-9, Sat. Feb. 9, Sun. Feb. 10, Sat. Feb. 16, Sun. Feb. 17, Seabranch Trail Care - Please join us for grooming and blazing the Preserve SP east loop trail. We will begin in mid to late afternoon. Call for details. Stuart Rafael Sanchez Memorial Trail Tom Clements (772) thomasc09@comcast.net Okeechobee Jupiter Farms Stuart Causeway Mid-Week Walk - See old friends and meet new ones. Stay in shape this winter walking your own pace up to 5 miles. Call or write for meeting time and place. Trail Care - We will mow and trim the full 6 miles of the trail. Please call for details. Grassy Island Off Road Bike Ride - Grassy Island is a beautiful new off-road bike and hiking trail with Oak trees and lush canopy. Ride approximately 5+ miles. Call for directions and details. Loxahatchee Slough Hike - Join us for this beautiful and popular Ocean to Lake Trail segment hike through the Loxahatchee Slough between Jupiter Farms and the Beeline Highway. We will stage cars and hike about 12 miles. Pack a meal for the trip. Call for details. Viera Viera Wetlands Birding Hike - Join us for a guided 3 miles birding hike at the Viera Wetlands. This hike, in partnership with the Florida Master Naturalists Program including our own certified FMNs Mary Starzinski and Kathy Petteruti, will be fun and educational. Bring your binoculars, camera, guidebooks, etc. Early start. Optional meal after. Call or write for details. Port Mayaca President's Weekend Get Out and Hike - Join us for a hike on the beautiful Rafael Sanchez Memorial Trail, the shoreline of Lake Okeechobee before the Hoover dike was built. This nearly 6 mile trail is fun and challenging. We will stage cars for this one-way hike. Bring a bite to eat afterwards. Call or write for details. Moderate to Strenuous, Leisure to Leisure to Strenuous, Moderate to Strenuous, Members and Guests Leisure, Members Only Members and Guests Audrey Minnis (772) aminnis@bellsouth.net Bridget Kean (850) bridgetkean@comcast.net Jay Levitt (772) JayL12@bellsouth.net Bridget Kean (850) bridgetkean@comcast.net Jay Levitt (772) JayL12@bellsouth.net Mon. Feb. 18, Corbett WMA Hike Across Corbett - Take a 17 mile hike on the OTL Trail segment across Corbett Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County. We will hike from the DuPuis/ Corbett border on the power line road on the western edge to the Boy Scout camp on the eastern side. This all day hike is long, wet and taxing, so is limited to 3 members. Call or write for details. Note - Sorry, this hike is fully booked. Call or write if you want to be placed on the waiting list. Strenuous, Members Only Jay Levitt (772) JayL12@bellsouth.net

4 TROPICAL TREKKERS ACTIVITIES LISTING February (Continued from Page 3) When Where Event Description Difficulty, Participation* Mon. Feb. 18, Wed. Feb. 20, Sun. Feb. 24, Thurs. Feb. 28, Sun. Mar. 3, Wed. Mar. 6, Sat. Mar. 9, Mon. Mar. 11, Palm City Monthly Chapter Meeting - Social and activities sign-up begins Community at 6:45 p.m. The program begins at 7:15 p.m. This month's program is Melissa Meeker, the Executive Director of the South Flori- Center da Water Management District discussing the progress on the Everglades and Kissimmee River Restoration projects. The public is invited! Stuart Stuart Causeway Mid-Week Walk - See old friends and meet new ones. Stay in shape this winter walking your own pace up to 5 miles. Call or write for meeting time and place. Stuart Boynton Beach Jensen Beach Stuart Urban Breakfast Walk - Join us for this fitness hike in downtown Stuart. We will walk about 5 miles and have an optional breakfast at a local eatery. Call or write for details. Nature Walk at Green Cay and Wakodahatchee - Take a leisurely guided walk in these two county wetland preserves and observe and learn about birds (many of which will be nesting at this time) and other animals. This walk, in partnership with the Florida Master Naturalists Program including our own FMN students Mary Starzinski, Kathy Petteruti, and Barbara Nafpliotis, will be fun and educational. Bring your binoculars, camera, guidebooks, etc. And bring a lunch to eat during our busy day. Call or write for details. Activity Leaders Workshop and Introduction to Meetup - All current activity leaders are asked to attend. In addition we invite other chapter members to come, learn, and consider the possibility of leading activities in the future. We will review important topics from the activity leader s manual and Kim Himmelmann will give a short presentation on how to use the meet up social network. Following the workshop we will have a hamburger cookout party. Stuart Causeway Mid-Week Walk - See old friends and meet new ones. Stay in shape this winter walking your own pace up to 5 miles. The time has changed so contact leader for meeting time and place. Clermont James Van Fleet State Trail Bike - The James Van Fleet State Trail is a former railroad track that was turned into a 29 mile paved bike/hiking trail that runs from Polk City to Clermont. We will ride the section between Green Pond Road and Bay Lake Road that runs through the Green River Swamp, approximately 20 miles there and back or ride at a slower pace and enjoy the wildlife and scenery. Early start. Call for directions and details. Palm City Monthly Chapter Meeting - Social and activities sign-up begins Community at 6:45 p.m. The program begins at 7:15 p.m. This month's program is titled How Trails get Built, presented by Lori Burris. The Center public is invited! * Guide To Difficulty/Participation Column Meaning Difficulty: Leisure Generally 5 miles or less, good footing, casual to medium pace Moderate Strenuous Participation: Generally 5 to 10 miles, uneven footing, possibly water, and/or fast pace Leisure to Leisure to Members and Guests Leisure, Members Only Leisure, Members Only Leisure to Generally more than 10 miles and/or backpacking, uneven footing, possibly water, and/or fast pace Event is open to members and anyone else approved by the event activity leader P a g e 4 Activity Leaders, Contact Bridget Kean (850) bridgetkean@comcast.net Jay Levitt (772) JayL12@bellsouth.net Jay Levitt (772) JayL12@bellsouth.net Kay Clements (772) , kayclements@comcast.net Tom Clements (772) , thomasc09@comcast.net Bridget Kean (850) bridgetkean@comcast.net Bridget Kean (850) bridgetkean@comcast.net Members & Event is open to members and their guests approved by the event activity leader Guests Members Only Event is open only to Trekkers and other FTA members in good standing Note: Biking, paddling, swimming or backpacking events may depend more on an individual's physical fitness for the activity than any rating. Always discuss any physical limitations, concerns or questions you may have with your activity leader before confirming for the event.

5 P a g e 5 Activities Corner Contributors: Jay Levitt, Riverbend Hike, December 29, 2012 A small group of Trekkers and a guest arrived at Riverbend Park and started out on a 5 mile midafternoon hike in Riverbend Park, Jupiter Farms. A mostly cloudy day greeted us as we sauntered the boardwalk entrance. Also greeting us was the Florida state bird, the mosquito. Not expecting that, no one had brought bug spray, having left several cans in the car. At least we had antiitch treatment. The high and dry shell-rock paths were easy walking. Everywhere we turned the lakes and ditches were full with water, the most we have seen since the park opened in We walked along the Loxahatchee, stopped to observe two curious raccoons, and went over the bridge to Picnic Island. We circled the island and then returned to the eastern, older side of the park. South on Reese Boulevard, then over to the Ocean-to-Lake Trail, we hiked as the sun dropped in the western sky. To avoid the mosquitos near the boardwalk exit we took the Pinewoods Trail, but that was even worse. Back at the car, we hurried inside and drove to our dinner at an Italian eatery in the lone shopping center in Jupiter Farms. The meal was outstanding! DuPuis Wildlife Hike, January 6, An early morning start is imperative if you want a chance to see much wildlife. So all 12 of us arrived at DuPuis and proceeded down the power line road to start our hike at 8 a.m. It was a foggy morning, which was a welcomed treat. The beauty of the grey stillness probably contributed to our lack of wildlife sighting, not even a deer. But the birds were up early singing, chirping, and tapping on the trees. Some of us did see the relocated red cockaded woodpecker and the seasonal yellow meadowlark. We proceeded north on loop 3E past the junction with loop 2E and took a side trip to a primitive campground, site of the camperstarted wildfire two years ago this month. We all navigated the wood log bridge without falling, though one could easily walk around it as the depression was dry. In fact, there was no standing water or even muddy trails. We still got damp feet from the dew on the ground and felt the moisture of the misty fog hanging in the air. As we took the connector between loops 1 and 2 to the west side, the sun began to peak out. It was humid all day but not too hot or too sunny, fortunately. We proceeded south on loop 2W, then 3W, and did not stop for much of a break until reaching the junction of loops 3W and 4W. Here we took a long break, some Trekkers even sitting on their tarps. Along the trail of 4W which is also the Ocean-to-Lake Trail, the predominant (Continued on Page 6)

6 P a g e 6 Activities Corner (Continued from Page 5) pine and palmetto Flatwoods of loops 2 and 3 changed to grassy scrub and cypress trees. Occasional boar uprooting made the footing more challenging. Marcie found a tortoise shell and carried it back with her. Finally, we reached the primitive camp at the bottom of loop 4 and could sit at the two picnic tables for lunch. The last stretch from here to the loop 3E junction and then Boot Lake always seems like it goes on forever, but shortly after passing the gator-less Boot Lake we arrived at the exit firebreak road to our cars. Mileage was tough to calculate. DuPuis maps showed about 12 miles, but our GPSs showed 13, even 14 miles. But just ask us, it felt like 15. Good workout! Nature Hike in Teague and Paleo Hammocks, January 13, A group met in Halpatiokee Regional Park and carpooled to the Paleo Hammock parking lot in central St. Lucie County where we were joined by the rest of the hikers at 8 AM. Trekkers and Florida Master Naturalist students Mary Starzinski, Kathy Petteruti, and Barbara Nafpliotis led us a few yards into a trail to observe and identify birds, then gave us a brief class on how to identify plants and trees from their leaves. Samples of leaf types were shown, discussed and passed around. Chocolate treats were given for answering questions correctly. We learned a lot about plant and tree identification. We proceeded next to Teague Hammock across the road. As we walked Mary, Kathy and Barbara pointed out plants, birds, trees and butterflies. It was fun and educational. The trail alternated between open, recaptured prairie from former cattle lands to canopied, hard-wood hammocks. What a beautiful place. After the leisurely 2 mile walk in Teague Hammock we returned to the Paleo Hammock parking and picnic area to eat and rehydrate. After a rest we entered Paleo Hammock. Here we saw a different kind of human influence. Kathy explained that the most ancient of Indians, the Paleo Indians, were believed to have lived here many thousands of years ago when the flora and fauna were much different. We encountered evidence of their ancient middens, along with evidence of more modern human activity such as citrus trees (they are non-native) and a rusty century-old cattle de-horning machine. We finished the 1.5 mile walk a little before noon. Some of us stayed to eat at the picnic tables, and some of us left for home. All of us are more enlightened and educated about the natural world around us, thanks to the efforts of Mary, Kathy and Barbara. (Continued on Page 7)

7 P a g e 7 Activities Corner (Continued from Page 6) Highlands Hammock Outing, January 19, We went in two separate groups. Paula and Germaine, Cindy and Joe caravanned early and arrived at HHSP and went hiking all morning. They had planned to stay overnight at a local hotel. Lynn and Jay met up with Pat and John in Sebring at the Sebring Diner for late breakfast and then hit the trails by one o clock. We all met up at 4 PM at one of the covered pavilions. Both groups did all the trails, hiking about 6+ miles in this beautiful park of old-growth Cypress and huge ancient oaks. The Fern Gully trail was awash with brilliant green ferns. Boardwalks abound over water filled cypress swamp wet and lush from the heavy fall and winter rains. In fact, our day was overcast and a drizzle began falling shortly after 4 p.m. We huddled in our pavilion with our suppers and talked about the day. Some of us skipped our packed meals and had the all you can eat bar-bqueue from the park s new restaurant concession whose opening day was today! Too bad they had grilled all that food, only to have the concert cancelled. We never got to play our croquet tournament, but did enjoy a round robin table game called Shut the Box. Lynn won the game eight of us played all three times! Despite the soggy ending to our day and no concert, we all had a great time. The overnighters went back to their hotel and the day trippers took to the road earlier than planned for the trip home. Be sure to see the picture album of the fun we had at Highlands Hammock State Park. Cacheapalooza 7 Geocaching Event, January 20, Four Trekkers meet Sunday morning in Jonathan Dickenson State Park to geocache as part of the 3-day CP7 festivities and hunt for many of the 250+ caches newly hidden around the park. This annual event brought in more than 500 geocachers from around the world. We did some morning caching and joined in the closing CP7 event, a Flash Mob photo at the Hobe Mountain observation tower with about 200 fellow cachers. All told we had 14 finds and none not found. Among them, we found the bonus cache whose coordinates were determined from clues in each of the Seven Seas series caches. Passing along the fence line of the Jupiter Hills Country Club driving range we picked up plenty of golf balls for Getchen s husband Mike. Seven was the theme of many of this year s caches, including such names as State Road 7, the movie title series of the James Bond 007 films, the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the 7 hills of Rome, and one we did part of, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We did part of that one, and Doc was on a dock weather station near a marsh! (Continued on Page 8)

8 P a g e 8 Activities Corner (Continued from Page 7) Evening Dike Hike, January 27, With temperatures in the low 70 s and mostly clear skies, 10 Trekkers met on top of the Hoover Dike just north of the Port Mayaca Locks at 4:45 p.m. and broke out chairs and blankets. We watched the sun dance and set into a bank of clouds low in the western sky over Lake Okeechobee as we ate our meal, shared dessert treats and talked quietly with our neighbors. Grackles swarmed in front of us as an occasional treat was thrown their way. The brilliant red streaks of sunset ebbed and flowed. By 6:15 we had repacked our cars and readied ourselves to head out on the LOST, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. The breeze died down as we headed into the growing darkness. Off to our left the glow of the light on the horizon dimmed, the paved trail darkened. A brilliant clear night was coming to life as the stars twinkled brightly. The constellations of Orion and Cassiopeia were clearly identified nearly overhead. Suddenly, there appeared an orange glow to the east. Just when expected, the full moon was rising up through the treetops of the nearby Rafael Sanchez Trial. What a beautiful sight! By the time we reach the 2 1/2 mile turnaround, the moon had risen above the trees and turned a brilliant white, lighting the way back to our cars on this soothing, peaceful, revitalizing night. Urban Breakfast Bike, January 26, We ll let the pictures speak for themselves on this ride down the Bluegill and Marisol Trails. We started from Sandhill Crane Access Park in Palm Beach Gardens.

9 P a g e 9 Officers and Directors Chapter Chair Bridget Kean bridgetkean@comcast.net Vice Chair Tom Clements thomasc09@comcast.net Secretary Louise Hillen jonloufl@aol.com Treasurer Lucy Fribourg lwf_cpa@yahoo.com Chapter Council Rep. Kay Clements kayclements@comcast.net Trail Coordinator Chuck Barrowclaugh cbarrowclough@treasuredlands.org FNST Section Leader Programs Chair POSITION OPEN POSITION OPEN Activity Chair Kay Clements kayclements@comcast.net Membership Chair Jim & Jeanne Couillard jrc-rla@cox.net Newsletter Chair Kim Himmelmann kimhim1@gmail.com ity Chair Lori Burris loriburris.swamptromper@gmail.com Fundraising Chair Gretchen Dewey Gdewey1@hotmail.com FNST Trailmasters Kissimmee South Kay Clements kayclements@comcast.net Yates Marsh John McArdle barbaraschmucker@bellsouth.net Chandler North Bob Austin bobgila@bellsouth.net Chandler South Vicki Lambie Lambieva@aol.com Basinger & EEEE Tom Clements thomasc09@comcast.net Hickory Hammock Jim Glancy dsjg1204@sbcglobal.net Bluff Hammock Lori Burris loriburris.swamptromper@gmail.com Other Trailmasters Okeechobee Ridge & Rafael Sanchez North Kay & Tom Clements thomasc09@comcast.net Rafael Sanchez South Richard Prince ralanprince@yahoo.com Hawks Bluff Chuck Hamlin Johammy4@aol.com Seabranch Audrey Minnis aminnis@bellsouth.net South Fork & JDSP Rick Binder Links! Trekker Talk Archives Activity List Archives Photo Gallery Live Bald Eagle Nest Cam! Guide to Florida s Greenways & Trails

10 P a g e 10 FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION Hike Florida on Florida s National Scenic Trail Florida Trail Association 5415 SW 13th St Gainesville, FL PHONE HIKE-FLA (answered during office hours) Website: The Florida Trail Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization responsible for building, maintaining, promoting, and protecting hiking trails for the public across the state of Florida, with a special focus on the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States. With 18 local chapters throughout Florida, the Florida Trail Association offers educational opportunities for people to learn to appreciate and conserve the natural beauty of Florida, and provides recreational opportunities for hiking and camping. Tropical Trekkers Chapter P.O. Box 423 Palm City, FL We re on the Web! Meetup (Join Now!) Trekkers.FloridaTrail.org T rail Tip: Keep pollutants away from waterways. That means things like dish water. JOIN TODAY... ENJOY HIKING FLORIDA S GREAT OUTDOORS! Florida Trail Association Join online, call the Florida Trail office (1-877-HIKE-FLA), or download, print and mail in an application from this link Membership Brochure B.O.D. MEETINGS The Board of Director meets at 6:30 PM on the first Monday of each month. All members are invited to attend (please inform the host). February 4th Meeting: Contact Kay Clements at or via at kayclements@comcast.net for further information or directions.