🌴Suncoast Outdoors🥾

Paddle Weeki Wachee River from Rogers Park for 8 miles

Wed, Nov 11 · 10:00 AM EST

Rogers park, Weeki Wachee, FL, US

Let's give the Weeki Wachee River 8 miles of love.

This is a scenic, partially shaded paddle with beautiful clear water. We may see alligators, manatees, otters, snakes, and fish along the way in addition to hawks, crows, owls, herons, etc. Alligators generally avoid the 68-72 degree water. The manatees are protected so you can't touch them or swim with them.

We will paddle upstream 4 miles then back down (8 miles total) the Weeki Wachee River. The way up can be a little strenuous depending on the tide, wind, the length of the paddle. And we don't take a break until we get to the 4 mile marker. The way down can be a bit tricky as the current often pushes you toward the sides of the river, into the shallows, bushes, and trees. We may encounter paddlers coming from the opposite direction that need lots of room because they are being pushed. All this means the paddle is a lot of fun especially because we are paddling in the off season.

On this trip, you are welcome to take quick photos but must keep up with the group. This paddle is not intended for beginners.

Rules on the River:

• No disposable items are allowed on the river (so no wrappers, bottles, kleenex, etc). If you get caught, it's typically $50 per container/item and the price can escalate depending on the enforcement zone and context.
• You can swim at Rogers Park ONLY in designated areas, IF you can enter and exit your kayak without disturbing the environment (basically don't touch anything but water). They have big signs along the river letting everyone know where swimming is allowed. It’s a $140 fine if you break the rules and police patrol the river regularly.
• Please read the river riles on the website: https://www.experienceweeki.com/spz

Re parking: Your payment options are by annual parking pass or pay $11 using your phone in the park. You cannot reserve a parking spot in advance.
**https://app.parkmobile.io/zone/start**
**https://www.hernandocounty.us/community-recreation/parks-recreation/rogers-park/**

You need your own kayak or SUP at no rentals are onsite.

Please arrive early, with lots of time to setup. There are bathrooms near the launch. Paddles in the water at 10am.

There are very good restaurant near Rogers Park if anyone wants to grab lunch afterwards.

Items that you may want to bring: plenty of drinking water, snacks, lunch, hat, sunglasses, camera, sunscreen, bug repellent, closed toe water shoes, water proof walkie-talkie, PFD and whistle/horn. It's your responsibility to be USCG compliant.

This is a light rain or shine event. You may want to bring a rain poncho if there are sprinkles in the forecast.

My number on the day of the event is 813-713-2492.

I am asking that everyone signs up (no guests) so everyone can agree to the waiver and agree to the following conditions:

YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.

Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.

I am not a professional guide but a volunteer for the group that enjoys organizing events for like-minded folks.

🥾11.5 Mile Day Hike 🦌Croom Tract 🦃 Withlacoochee State Forest🌳

Fri, Nov 20 · 8:00 AM EST

Tucker Hill Recreation Area, 26416 County Road 480W,, Brooksville, FL, US

........Everyone has their own favorite hike configuration out here. Mine is the 11.5 mile AB Cross trail loop.
.......We'll meet at Tucker Hill at 7:30 ready to hit the trail at 8:00 am. Water and restrooms are available. There is a $2.00 day use fee that is paid online only.
day use permit
......Bring 2 liters of water/hydration and whatever personal items you need. A ground cloth for sitting during breaks is helpful.
....... This is an 11.5 mile hike. Please be sure you are in excellent physical/ cardio condition so that you will be able to complete this safely and in a timely manner.
........The Tucker Family cemetery is a historical site of interest. There is a sign and trail in the southwest corner of the parking area leading to it in 0.2 mi.
.......I am going to bring a cold drink, snack or lunch for after the hike. Hope you can join me under the big pavilion.

Lenny
813 838 6834
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning

Orienteering 🧭 - Course B - 2 miles 🌲

Sat, Nov 21 · 7:30 AM EST

J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness road, New Port Richey, FL, US

Prerequisite: Orienteering - Course A - 1 mile or Compass Basics and Land Navigation Exercise completed in 2026

If you’d enjoy a longer scavenger hunt in the woods, this is the next adventure for you! JB Starkey Park has a 2 mile orienteering course created as part of an Eagle Scout Service Project. Come enjoy the outdoors and use your compass to locate the course markers!

You will need to bring a basic baseplate compass like this one https://a.co/d/0d6fRANV. You will get a brief refresher on how to use this type of compass, set and follow a bearing, and determine your step count for 100 yards before beginning the course in small teams. There are 12 course markers that are each 100-440 yards apart on the 2 mile course.

We will be in an unmaintained, natural area of the park without trails and walking through dense and prickly vegetation, sand, and grasses that can be as tall as you to stay on course and locate the course markers. The vegetation is thicker in places than on the 1 mile A Course.

Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes are required due to the wilderness environment. A hat, gloves, whistle, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended.

You must carry 2 liters of water. Electrolytes, snacks, and something to sit on during breaks are recommended. I plan on taking a sit down snack break about halfway through the markers and enjoying a packed lunch in the shade of the big tree near the parking lot at the end around noon. I usually see gopher tortoises and other wildlife when I do this.

Your RSVP to attend any Suncoast Outdoors sponsored event is your express acknowledgment, understanding, and unconditional acceptance of full personal responsibility and liability for all associated risks. Possible risks include but are not limited to the following: injury from tripping/falling, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather-related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus or disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning.