SUMMER 2015

SECTION LEADERS

FNST: ANF WEST Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 FNST: ANF EAST Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 FNST: ST. MARKS Dale Allen (850) 656-8050 FNST: AUCILLA Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 FT. BRADEN TRACT Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS PARK Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 TORREYA STATE PARK OPEN

MEETING PROGRAMS

October 10 “The C2B Trail.” Joe Crozier, of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, will talk about the Chattahoochee to Bristol Trail. The C2B Trail, if developed, would be a major step in uniting regional cultural, historical, and recreational assets through ecotourism. The proposed C2B Trail would follow, where feasible, the eastern bank of the Apalachicola River, traversing both private and public lands in Gadsden and Liberty counties. To provide the most scenic vistas and landscapes, the trail seeks to follow the topography of bluffs and ravines of the Apalachicola River where possible. The trail is being considered on its own merit, without connection to the FNST. November 14 "Framing the FNST of the Future." Join Ian Barlow and Liz Nelson From "Framing our Community" as they explore with us innovative ways to recruit, train and retain the volunteers of the future. Ian has been working with the FTA for years building trail infrastructure with teams of hardworking volunteers who are the backbone of the Florida Trail. How do we continue this volunteer legacy and thrive in the future? December 12 "HOLIDAY PARTY & POTLUCK.” Celebrate the 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 or outdoors related if possible, and can be purchased-but-inexpensive or hand-made. If you’re feeling extra festive, write a short poem or limerick describing the gift!

NEW and RETURNING MEMBERS May - July 2017

Marc Engel, Elizabeth Keating, Wendy Long, Aaron Mathews, Tracy & Larry Simmons, Caroline York

As of 8/1/17: 255 memberships / 333 members

CONTENTS

1.......Programs / People

2-4...Oct.-Dec. Activities

4-5...Articles: From the Chair, Go Green (get the Blaze by email), Volunteers Needed, Our new newsletter editor—Trish Neely, Panhandle Regional FTA Conference

6........FTA Membership Form

FALL 2017

CHAPTER OFFICERS

CHAIR Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 dbrown1948@embarqmail.com VICE-CHAIR Gary Sisco (850) 545-4776 gsisco42@yahoo.com TREASURER Elizabeth Slack (850) 320-2760 elizabeth.a.slack@gmail.com ACTIVITIES Ray Cade (850) 508-7593 raycade@hotmail.com MEMBERSHIP Lori Gilbertson (850) 420-0132 FTA_trails4u.lori@aol.com NEWSLETTER Trish Neely (850) 322-3317 grmkrakr@gmail.com PROGRAMS Liz Sparks (850) 570-5950 liz.aparks57@gmail.com PUBLICITY Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com SOCIAL MEDIA Ron Harrison (850) 443-1665 ronaldwharrison68@gmail.com TRAILS Kent Wimmer (850) 528-5261 klwimmer2@gmail.com WEBSITE/VOLUNTEER HOURS Linda Patton (850) 668-4334 lpatton@fsu.edu

eetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist

Church, 2810 N. Meridian Rd., Tallahassee. For more information, contact Dawn Brown (850)

668- 0091 or Liz Sparks (850)570-5950. Meetings are open to the public.

apalacheefta@gmail.com

2

PLEASE NOTE: The Florida National Scenic Trail and other forest trails are part of the natural environment. Rough, une-ven, and/or slippery surfaces, protruding roots, encroaching vegetation, fallen branches, mud and water, insects and other wildlife, irritating plants and other hazards may be present. Wear boots and use caution. If you question whether a hike is within your ability, contact the Activity Leader. For more information go to www.apalachee.floridatrail.org and click on “Guidelines for Activity Participants.”

ACTIVITY LEADERS

Dale Allen Steve Babcock Gwen Beatty Karen Berkley Dawn Brown Ray Cade Scott Copeland

Richard Graham Dawn Griffin Al Ingle James Kimbrel Courtnay Micots Rayanne Mitchell Laura Newton

Howard Pardue Linda Patton Gary Sisco Mike Tucker Carol Watkins George Weaver Kent Wimmer

Oct. 1 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Aucilla Section. Blaze trees along trail, trim & clear trail. Meet at Leon County Apalachee Regional Park at 8:15 am. LIMIT 6 PEOPLE. To sign up, contact: Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 or email at stevenbabcock@gmail.com

Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mon. P/M Forest Bathing Hike: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z). Forest Bathing (Shinnin-yoku in Japanese) has proven beneficial to one's mental and physical health. Join us in a walk through the woods at your own pace and length (4 mi. at a steady pace is common). We rest for a few minutes at a 2-mi. point. Bring lots of water, wear comfortable shoes, and apply bug repellant as needed. Meet near the restrooms at 5:30 pm and be ready to hike at 5:45 pm sharp. Check our Meetup site for dates, meeting locations, and any last minute announcements before starting out. Courtnay Micots (850) 300-0399 courtnaymicots@gmail.com

Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 Thursday P/M Forest Bathing Hike: Miccosukee Greenway—Thornton Trailhead. Forest

Bathing (Shinnin-yoku in Japanese) has proven beneficial to one’s mental and physical health. Join us in a walk through the woods at your own pace and length (4 mi. at a steady pace is common). We rest for a few minutes at a 2-mi. point. Please bring lots of water, wear comfortable shoes, and apply bug repellent as needed. Be ready to hike at 5:45 pm sharp. Check our Meetup site for dates, meeting locations, and last minute announcements before starting out. Contact: Courtnay Micots (850) 300-0399 courtnaymicots@gmail.com

Oct. 6 Fri. P/M Harvest Moon over Miccosukee Hike. Come experience this 7+/- mile section of Miccosukee Greenway in a unique way— cast in moonlight and shadows. We may meet for dinner before heading over to meet at 7:30 pm at the Crump Road trailhead (across the street from the brick house at 4955 Crump Road). From there we will carpool to the Fleishman trailhead to begin our hike. The pathway is broad level gravel. The white stones will make following the path an easy task. We should be back at the Crump Trail Head before 10:00 pm. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and light colored clothes. Bring water, a flashlight or head-lamp, and bug spray. NO DOGS PLEASE. Contact: Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

Oct. 11, 18, 25 Wed. P/M Stress Busters Power Walks (AKA “Trails and Tacos”). Walk 4 mi. on one of the trails at Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. Bring flashlight/headlamp, snack (if needed), and water. Dress in layers. We will attempt to maintain a pace of 3.0-3.5 mph. Meet near the park's restrooms at 4:15 pm and be ready to hike at 4:30 pm sharp. After the hike, we can head over to Cinco de Mayo (3550 Mahan Dr) for tacos. Hey, you earned it! Contact: Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

Oct. 21 Sat. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Aucilla Section. Blaze trees along trail, trim & clear trail. Meet at Leon County Apalachee Regional Park at 8:15 am. LIMIT 10 PEOPLE. To sign up contact: Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 stevenbabcock@gmail.com

Oct. 21 Sat.-Oct. 23 Mon. P/M Florida Trail Work Party (F-Troop): Apalachicola NF. Learn trail maintenance tech-niques & leadership skills. Especially geared for new trail maintainers. Camping and meals provided at Camel Lake, Bristol, FL. LIMIT 20 PEOPLE (over 18 only). Information and sign-up at http://bit.ly/2iJLdw3. If you have questions about registration contact: Van Tran (352) 583-7639 vant@floridatrail.org. Questions about the project: Adam Fryska (850) 888-3502 adamf@floridatrail.org.

Oct. 24 Tue. P/M Urban Walk: Fern Trail. A leisurely 4.5-mi. ramble along a shaded trail that runs through the city’s east side from Blairstone Rd. to Tom Brown Park, crossing several major roads & dipping under Capital Circle via the railroad tracks. Meet at 9:00 am at Panera Bread (101 N Blair Stone Rd.) for breakfast/coffee/socializing; or meet at 10:15 am at the trail parking area between Mahan and Park

“P” Public welcome, “M” Limited to FTA members only / “L” Leisurely, “M” Moderately difficult, “S” Strenuous.

L = 1-2 mph walking pace M = 2-3 mph walking pace S = 3-4+ mph walking pace

Your membership in the Florida Trail Association helps make our activities open and accessible to everyone. If you are a member, thank you! If you are not a member, please consider making a donation to the FTA at outings you attend. Give your donation to the hike leader. Or join the FTA today: http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-difference/become-a-member

3

Ave. No facilities along trail--pack whatever you’ll need. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. NO DOGS PLEASE. To sign up, contact Janet Stephens (850) 212-7617 janstep@me.com or Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

Oct. 24 Tue. M/L Activities Planning Meeting. Plan some amazing activities for January-March 2018. Current Activity Leaders and those interested in becoming a Leader welcome. Contact: Ray Cade (850) 508-7593 raycade @hotmail.com

Oct. 29 Sun. P/L St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Mountain Bike Ride / Short Hike: Port Leon. "Ghost Town" tour to Port Leon on the St. Marks River. Bike 4 mi. to the short trail out to the site. Optional additional bike mileage on return trip. LIMIT 10 PEOPLE. To sign up please contact Carol Watkins (313) 319-9463 cwatkinsbab56@yahoo.com or co-leader Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 stevenbabcock@gmail.com

Oct. 29 Sun. P/L Urban Walk: FSU Campus Ramble. A leisurely 4-mi. walk through the campus to appreciate its amazing landscape during cooler weather and fall colors. The FSU grounds staff has worked hard to use sustainable species, reinforce the aesthetic character of the campus, and promote long-term steward-ship of the environment. Plan to grab a bite to eat afterwards in College Town! Meet at 4:30 pm at fountain in front of FSU’s Ruby Diamond Auditorium at the west end of College Street. LIMIT 15 PEOPLE. NO DOGS PLEASE. To sign up, please con-tact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

Oct. 29 Sun. P/L Halloween Murder Mystery Walk. Along with a 4-footed de-tector, “Merci,” and her partner, noted ca-daver-dog-handler Suzi Goodhope, follow clues through the forest to find the missing body!! Meet at Gate A, Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, 1275 Miller Landing Rd., at 10:00 am sharp. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing appropriate for hiking in the woods. Bring water—and lunch too, if you want to stay afterwards to talk more with Suzi (and with Merci). DOGS NOT PERMITTED. Children will be per-mitted with an accompanying adult, but please note that there will be frank discussion about deceased people and their remains. Please contact Karen Berkley (850) 570-5740 kjberkley @gmail.com

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Wed. P/M Stress Busters Power Walks (AKA “Trails and Tacos”). See October 11 for description.

Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 Thurs. P/M Forest Bathing Hike: Miccosukee Greenway—Thornton Trailhead. See October 5 for description.

Nov. 4 Sat. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Aucilla Section. Clear, blaze & maintain trail from Walker Bridge to Lost Dog Rapids. LIMIT 8 PEOPLE. To sign up and get meeting loca-tion please contact James Kimbrel (850) 524-0773 or email at jameskimbrel@hotmail.com or co-leader Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 stevenbabcock@gmail.com

Nov. 5 Sun. P/L St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Hike: Levees. Hike about 8 mi. on levees overlooking scenic vistas in St. Marks NWR. Expect to see alligators and lots of birds. We'll enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant before we return to Tallahassee. NO DOGS PLEASE. Call to sign up: Gary Sisco (850) 545-4776 gsisco42@yahoo.com or co-leader Gwen Beatty (850) 539-6027 gfbeatty@yahoo.com

Nov. 5 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Aucilla Section. Blaze trees along trail, trim & clear trail. Meet at 8:15 am at Leon County Apalachee Regional Park. LIMIT 10 PEOPLE. To sign up, contact: Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 stevenbabcock@gmail.com

Nov. 5 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Apalachicola NF - Oak Park Bridge to FR 321. Clear brush, mow, and repaint blazes along this 3.2-mi. segment of the FNST. Bring lunch and water. Wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the Park-n-Ride on

South Monroe St. at 9:30 am. NO DOGS PLEASE. Contact John or Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com or Kevin or Debbie Grant (850) 766-3486 dag9465@comcast.net

Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 Mon. P/M Forest Bath-ing Hike: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z). See October 2 for description.

Nov. 17 Fri. P/M Urban Walk: Fern Trail. See October 24 for description.

Nov. 19 Sun. M/L St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Bike Ride/Picnic/Short Hike: Pinhook River. Mountain bike ride about 7 mi. Bring lunch or snacks. We will eat on the bridge over the Pinhook River. LIMIT 15 PEOPLE. To sign up, contact Carol Watkins (313) 319-9463 or by email at cwatkinsbab56@yahoo.com or co-leader Steve Babcock stevenbabcock@gmail.com (313) 319-6559

Dec. 3 Sun. P/L Super Moon Night Hike: Lake Jackson Mounds. A 4-mi. hike end-ing with snacks on the large mound while observing the only Super Moon of 2017.

Early Native Americans celebrated this moon as the "Full Cold Moon" because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in (supposedly) and the nights become long and dark. We will start the hike around 8:00 pm, ending the event by 11:00 pm. Contact: Courtnay Micots (850) 300-0399 courtnaymicots@gmail.com

Dec. 4, 11, 18 Mon. P/M Forest Bathing Hike: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z). See October 2 for description.

Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 Thur. P/M Forest Bathing Hike: Mic-cosukee Greenway—Thornton Trailhead. See October 5 for description.

Dec. 13, 20, 27 Wed. P/M Holiday Lights Winter Night Hikes. Weekday 4-mi. walks in downtown Tallahassee to enjoy the seasonal lights! Meet at Fla. D.O.T. Credit Union parking lot (620 E Gaines St., next to Cascades Park at corner of Suwannee St. / Myers Park Dr.). Wear comfortable walking shoes and light-colored clothes. Come at 5:15 pm and be ready to start at 5:30 pm SHARP. Bring flashlight/headlamp. Contact: Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

4

WANDERINGS ~~ from the desk of Dawn Brown CHAPTER CHAIR

I’m always pleased to sit down at my computer and begin to write this column for the Fall Blaze. It means that even though we are still in the throes of full summer in Florida, the fall hiking season is on its way. Out here in Colorado the season is already starting to turn. The days are noticeably shorter, mornings cooler, and there is a hint of yellow in some end branches of the aspen. So take heart, fall will come.

I haven’t seen the fall activity schedule yet, but I’m sure there are some great hikes scheduled. There is one activity in partic-ular I want to mention since it will be the first time our chapter has sponsored one. That is a Volunteer Work Party. FTA has been holding this type of event for several years, but we have never done one. A Volunteer Work Party is an event in which a group of volunteers get together for an intensive weekend of trail maintenance. It will be advertised state wide so it’s a great opportunity to meet new people who love the trail and love doing maintenance. The state organization will provide the cook-ing facilities and food. I understand they have a couple who are really good cooks. We will be organized into crews with trained leaders so it’s a great opportunity to learn additional maintenance skills.

Our event is scheduled for 21 through 23 of October. It will be staged at Camel Lake on the west side of the Apalachicola National Forest. If you have never camped out at that lake it is a great experience. It is a very modern (i.e. hot showers, electricity in the bathhouse) National Forest Service campground. Camel Lake is a beautiful little lake with a beach, swim-ming area and great fishing for times when we are not out on the trail. It’s not that far from Tallahassee either. For those who don’t wish to camp you can drive out for the day and back. Kent Wimmer, Al Ingle and Mike Tucker have all been working hard to develop a list of projects most in need of our attention.

I have it on my calendar and I hope we can get a good turnout from our chapter.

Go GREEN, save our Chapter MONEY, and get a COLOR COPY of THE BLAZE with EXTRA PAGES. If you are an FTA member, opt into receiving ‘The Blaze’ by email as a PDF (in color) and opt out of receiving a black-and-white

copy by mail. You will save the Chapter about $3.08 per year. Currently, 111 members are saving us about $342!! If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, contact Linda Patton at lpatton@fsu.edu. THANK YOU !!

and hike Christmas Day on approximately 6.5 mi. of the Miccosukee Greenway from Thornton Rd. to Crump Rd. Return using the loop trails. NO DOGS PLEASE. For information contact: Gary Sisco (850) 545-4776 gsisco42@yahoo.com or co-leader Gwen Beatty (850) 539-6027 gfbeatty@yahoo .com

Dec. 26 Tue. P/L Annual Holiday Hike: Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. Tired of all the holiday hype? Let ’s get outside and play. Long leisurely stroll on the Phipps Park hiking trails, with lunch at the Oak Hammock. The hike can be as long as 7 mi., but there are many opportunities for a shorter hike if desired. Families and pets (ON LEASH) wel-come. Contact Dawn Brown (850) 545-0351 dbrown1948@embarqmail.com

Dec. 31 Sun. P/M St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Hike: Cathedral of Palms. Come hike 6.2 mi. through this amazing place and contemplate the New Year! Harry Smith says, "You're walking through a forest of nothing but Cabbage Palms (also known as Sabal Palms) for as far as the eye can see, staring through the ancient, old growth palm forest. It’s still, dark and quiet. The mud squishes beneath you as you stumble down the trail, forever looking up. It’s something out of a fairytale, and gives you a glimpse into ‘old Florida’." Meet at 9:30 am at the Park'n'Ride on South Monroe St. or at the Spring Creek (Hwy 365) / Shell Point (Hwy 367) trailhead at 10:15 am. Bring lunch and water. Wear comfortable shoes. LIMIT 15 PEOPLE. NO DOGS PLEASE. To sign up, contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com

Dec. 16 Sat. P/L St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Hike. Leisurely 4-5 mi. hike in the St. Marks NWR. Contact: Carol Watkins (313) 319-9463 cwatkinsbab56@yahoo.com

Dec.17 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Maintenance: Apalachicola NF - Oak Park Bridge to FR 321. Clear brush, mow, and repaint blazes along this 3.2 mi. segment of the FNST. Bring lunch and water. Wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the Park-n-Ride on South Monroe St. at 9:30 am. NO DOGS PLEASE. Contact John or Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com or Kevin or Debbie Grant (850) 766-3486 dag9465@comcast.net

Dec. 19 Tue. P/M Four Freedoms Trail Bike Ride. A paved 12-mi. (optional 24-mi.) RT recreational trail extending north from Madison to the Withlacoochee River at the Fla./Ga border, with covered rest areas along the way. Meet at 10:00 am. Park on the west side of Colin Kelly Hwy. (SR 145), near its intersection with Aster Rd., in Hanson FL. Travel time one way from Tallahassee is 1 hr. Bring your own bike and equipment, as well as a picnic lunch that can be left in your car to enjoy after the first 12 mi. from Hanson to the FL-GA state line and back — before taking on the remaining 12 mi. from Hanson south to Madison and back. LIMIT 15 PEOPLE. NO DOGS PLEASE. To sign up, contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 griffindd@aol.com or co-leaders Steve Babcock (313) 319-6559 stevencbabcock@gmail.com or Carol Watkins (313) 319-9463 cwatkinsbab56@yahoo.com

Dec. 25 Mon. P/L Miccosukee Greenway Hike. Come

5

SAVE THE DATE! PANHANDLE REGIONAL FTA CONFERENCE

Friday, November 10, 2017 10:00 AM to Sunday, November 12, 2017, 10:00 AM Timpoochee 4-H Youth Camp, 4750 Timpoochee Lane, Niceville, FL

The Choctawhatchee Chapter is hosting the Panhandle regional conference this year. Lodging choices at Camp Tim-poochee include tent space, bunks in cabins, and RV sites with no hook-ups. If you want full hook-ups, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is just down HWY 20. White Point recreation area might be an option for those with military ID.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Trailmasters are still needed for the west side of the Apalachicola National Forest. Contact Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 al@capitalavionics.com OR Mike Tucker (850) 545-3489 tuckems@hotmail.com

Meet Trish Neely, Blaze Editor When he retired in 1970, and much to my mother’s chagrin, my dad bought 100 acres on Red Bank Creek in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Clarion County Pennsylvania; Mother missed paved roads and sidewalks, disliked bugs and critters, but she adapted. For Dad it was always about nature and the road less traveled--that was his inspiration. With two toddlers in tow, my husband and I braved the winding roads, treacherous in winter, and the inevitable motion sickness to visit as frequently as possible. The trails through my parents’ estate were my first exposure to natural springs, rock outcroppings left by receding glaciers, wild huckleberries and honey, poisonous snakes, and ginormous wood spiders. High on a hill and with no street lamps, star-gazing took on new meaning. We learned to respect the fierce weather that could kick up

fast in the hollow and sail over the hill—it would upend anything not bolted down. We fell in love with the slower pace, the fields of swaying buckwheat and pin oak trees, the winter ice-overs and spring thaws on the river even If we didn’t always appreciate poison oak, skunks, or bears. At a young and impressionable age my young sons were exposed to a naturalist’s lifestyle which influences their family lives today. The Great Lakes can be bitter in winter; and Florida called to us in 1985. Being active in the local community has always been important to me and I quickly discovered a perfect way to pay it forward as a patron of local arts and a Musical Associate for FSU’s School of Music and Dance. I was honored to be accepted to Leadership Tallahassee (Class 29 Alum) and to serve on the boards of the Urban League, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and JA Big Bend, where I served as Chair for two years. When moving to Florida, I swapped a career in counseling for one in executive management and retired in February from FBMC Benefits Management after 30 years. I continue to volunteer and work as a consultant to fund my volunteer activities and hobbies--which include crafting, doting on four grandchildren and getting back to hiking after a 40 year hiatus. This is where FTA comes in—I found you when I was looking for ways to get back into the groove of walking/ and hiking for a 2018/2019 pilgrimage on the Camino. That’s a pic of me logging miles in the UK toward one of my 2017 goals of walking my age for charity. My responsibilities for FBMC included writing and editing a quarterly newsletter that was recognized with two employee benefit industry i-COMM awards; thus, when I joined FTA I offered my services. I am hopeful that my skills will transfer to working on the Blaze. My plan is to introduce a new column called the Trail Less Traveled. I would like to hear and write about your story. Until then, I look forward to meeting everyone at upcoming chapter meetings.

6

Linda Patton Newsletter Editor 1829 Folkstone Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32312