For many New Years, I’ve been at the annual FTA Central / Highlanders Chapters celebration that Rachael and Lou Augspurg coordinate at Doe Lake in the Ocala National Forest. This is the culmination of New Year’s Eve: the official lowering of the boat cushion.
Lots to do during the holiday get-together, including guided hikes and paddling trips and slide shows in the evening. There is a small nightly fee for camping. New Year’s Eve is a potluck, so bring a dish to share.
Here’s the schedule, per Rachael:
ACTIVITIES
Tuesday Dec 30
9:00 AM Paddle the Ocklawaha River – Gores Landing to Eureka – DOWNSTREAM (Francis & Bobbi Keenan)
10:30 AM Bike Ride at Emeralda Marsh – Wildlife Drive Loop – hard-packed sand road (Lou & Rachael Augspurg)
12:30 PM Hike the Yearling Trail in the Juniper Wilderness (Judy Minter)
Wednesday Dec 31
9:00 AM Hike at Sawgrass Island Reserve (Bill & Mary Ellen Milton)
Thursday Jan 1
8:30 AM Paddle the Ocklawaha River – SR 40 to Gores Landing – DOWNSTREAM (Lou & Rachael Augspurg)
9:00 AM Bike Ride – Location to be decided by participants (Jon Phipps)
PROGRAMS
Monday Dec 29 – Campfire
Tuesday Dec 30 – 7:00 PM Programs & 10:00 PM Campfire
Wednesday Dec 31 – 7:00 PM Programs & 10:00 PM Campfire & 12:00 Midnight NYE Countdown & traditional black-eyed peas, greens & cornbread (Jerry & Katrina)
There will be “half-back” drawings on Tues & Wed during dinner. There will also be a book sale table, with all donations / proceeds to FTA. Please bring books to donate to the sale. Donors must take home unsold books.
DINNERS – 6:00 PM
Monday Dec 29 – Those arriving on Monday (after 3:00 PM) should have dinner on your own.
Tuesday Dec 30 – We will cook Stone Soup over an open fire. Please bring bread, dessert or one soup ingredient to add to the pot. (regular & vegetarian)
** GROUP PHOTO AT 5:30 PM WEDNESDAY DEC 31 BEFORE DINNER – MEET ON FRONT STEPS OF THE DINING HALL
Wednesday Dec 21- We will share a pot-luck Dinner. Please bring a dish to share. WE WILL FURNISH NAPKINS, PLATES, BOWLS, SILVERWARE AND CUPS . ALSO, COFFEE, TEA & HOT WATER FOR COCOA.
Other meals are on your own. The kitchen, microwave, refrigerators may be used by anyone anytime.
Check out is 1:00 pm Thursday Jan 1 (except paddlers, who may leave camping units until after the trip). We must leave the camp clean…all help with Thursday clean-up will be appreciated. Shower house will be locked after cleaning. Everyone can help by leaving a clean camp & taking home everything they bring including left-over food and containers.
Here’s a link to a map of where Doe Lake is located.
Happy New Year! I’m backpacking and sharing New Year’s with friends in South Florida, so I’m missing this tradition this year.
[...] Florida Hikes! » Blog Archive » New Years Celebration for Hikers [...]