July 6, Saturday – Hike Scenic Hills Neighborhood Meet 8.30 a.m. Scenic Hills Country Club 8891 Burning Tree Road, Pensacola, FL Parking lot on west side of the Country Club building. We'll take a walk up and down the hills of the Scenic Hills neighborhood and can walk off some of the goodies we ate over the July 4th celebration. Walk will be @ three miles with brunch to follow at an area restaurant – Bagelheads or Panera – to add on the pounds again. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen. Contact Helen for questions or more details: 484-0528 (home) or 287-1748 (cell) or sign up in our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
July 7, Sunday – Wake-up Hike 7 a.m. Good exercise, good company Get the day started with Trudy and/or Peggy with a brisk walk and afterwards join us for breakfast. We will walk about an hour, about one to three miles. We will be hiking/walking at different locations each Sunday morning – easy, fun, healthy and friendly. Trudy Walden 434-8861 Peggy Grantham 982-9490 or sign up in our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
July 13, Saturday – Hike Fillingim Landing Trails Meet 10 a.m. at Fillingim Landing 4349 Jacks Branch Rd, Molino, FL. For direction, set your GPS to the intersection of Jacks Branch Rd & Saint Elizabeth St in Molino. The park entrance is about 200 yards south of this intersection on Jacks Branch Rd (County Rd 97). The coordinates are 30.675051,-87.405767 to the Fillingim Landing. Bring water, insect repellent and a picnic lunch, also a bathing suit for a swim if you wish after picnic lunch. There are shady picnic areas along Perdido River and a primitive camping site. Please make sure you wear your hiking boots. Portable restrooms are available at the landing & campsite. Trails about four miles RT along the river and a separate one-mile loop from the parking lot. Call Jimmy Moore 598-0593 or sign up in our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
July 14, Sunday- Canoe/Kayak Trip on Juniper Creek 8.30 a.m.: Meet at the Shell/Subway station on the corner of Hwy. 191 (Munson Hwy.) and Hwy. 87 (Stewart St.) across from Milton High school in Milton car caravan to the put-in spot on Juniper Creek at the bridge on Red Rock Road. Juniper Creek is crystal clear, has a gentle current, and plenty of sandbars to play on & places to swim to get cooled off. This paddle is about six miles and takes approximately four hours. Bring your canoe/kayak, paddle, personal flotation device (PDF), whistle, extra clothing, swimsuit, water, water shoes, lunch, snacks, hat, sunglasses, raingear, sunscreen, camera, etc. Alcohol and glass containers are NOT allowed on the river. Pets are welcome. PDF's recommended for your pet if your pet is not a good swimmer. These can be purchased at PetSmart, Academy Sports, & West Marine. If you do not have your own boat, you can rent one from one of the following outfitters: Adventures Unlimited: 623-6197 (closest place to the creek) Blackwater Canoe Rental: 623-0235 Bob's Canoe Rental: 623-5457 If you have questions, contact Cheryl Gardner at 484-9111 for more information or sign up at our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
July 18, Thursday – Western Gate Chapter Meeting at 6:30 p.m. social, 7 p.m. meeting. First Christian Church, 6031 Goodrich Dr. Pensacola, Florida 32504. This is our monthly chapter meeting where we talk and meet and discuss past activities and report on new activities. Please contact Helen Wigersma 484-0528 for details or sign up in our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
July 27, Saturday – Paddle the Beautiful Blackwater River – Meet 9 a.m. Blackwater canoe rental 6974 Deaton Road Bridge, Milton, FL George Brinkman will lead us on a trip down the Blackwater River with the help of Blackwater Canoe Rentals. Please contact George Brinkman 932-0125 for details or sign up in our meet up site http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
MISSION STATEMENT OF FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION:
The Florida Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail. Together with our partners we provide opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education and contribute to meaningful volunteer work."
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Florida Trail Association announces July hikes