Tubng Trip Down The Ichetucknee River

Tubing TRIP DOWN THE Ichetucknee RIVER & MORE. When: Saturday, Aug 1, 2009 to Sunday, Aug 2, 2009 Where: Quality Inn in Alachua , Florida at exit #399 off I-75, -1 386-462-2244 Additional Info: --When: Saturday, August 1 to Sunday, August 2, with optional Friday evening, July 31 arrival. Meet at the hotel in Alachua, Florida by 4:00 pm on Saturday.

What: Join Mosaic members from around the region for a weekend full of fun and sun. We will be staying in a hotel in Alachua, nearby the beautiful Ichetucknee Springs State Park where we will start our tubing. Check in both days is 3:00 pm, but if you get there earlier, you can always relax around the pool. If you’re joining us on Friday, arrival will be on your own schedule. Anyone there in time can join the group for dinner. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby Saturday morning for breakfast and to organize our day of canoeing. If you’re joining us on Saturday, after checking in, head out to the pool where we’ll meet through the afternoon for a “get to know” and snacks. Then we’ll freshen up for dinner, as a group, at a local restaurant. After dinner we’ll head back to the hotel for Havdallah service, stargazing, movies, games or a swim in the pool. Early Sunday morning we will have breakfast at the hotel, then depart for the centerpiece activity of the weekend; the float down the Ichetucknee River. Tubing on the crystal clear Ichetucknee River is a unique experience in Florida. Nowhere else can one enjoy the outstanding scenic qualities of the "Real Florida" while floating leisurely on a tube or raft. The pristine hardwood hammock, limestone outcrops, wildlife and serenity are a combination of natural values enjoyed by thousands of tubers every year. Bring snorkeling gear, and jump off your tube at any time into the refreshing 72 degree water to explore the Blue Hole or various springs along the way. The entire float takes about 4 hours with a stop about 2/3 of the way through, where our cars will be parked, to have lunch or snacks we bring or buy. There are restrooms here and a snack bar. It Is possible to end your tubing day at this stop or continue on the last 1/3 and finish up by about 2:30 p.m., meet for a late lunch/early dinner and arrive home by about 10:00 p.m

Where: The Quality Inn in Alachua, Florida at exit #399 off I-75, 386-462-2244. Do not call for your own reservation, the cost of the trip includes your room.

Directions: From the South - take I-95 to where it meets up with Florida’s Turnpike in Ft. Pierce or take the Turnpike to where it merges with I-75 in Wildwood in northern Florida. Continue on I-75 to Exit #399, Alachua, going east. The Quality Inn is just east of I-75. From the North – take I-75 to exit #399 and follow the directions above.

Bring: Clothing, toiletries, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, bathing suit. Optional gear includes snorkeling gear, waterproof camera. You will also need money for meals other than breakfast.

To keep the Ichetucknee River pristine, NO food or drink may be taken on the river.

Cost: One Night Fee - $40 for Mosaic members, $45 for non-members, double occupancy per hotel room, in two double beds or a king. Add $28 to have your own room. Two Night Fee - $68 for Mosaic Members, $73 for non-members, double occupancy. Add $56 to have your own room both nights. Price includes hotel room, snacks around pool, after dinner get together dessert/snacks, park entrance fee and tube rental ($5 to $10 add’l for a double tube or raft instead of a single tube). Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast provided by the hotel. Also, don’t forget to share expenses for gas and tolls with your carpool driver. Cost of Canoe trip on Saturday is additional and is TBD at this time.

Contact: RSVP and advance payment REQUIRED by Friday, July 17. After that call for space and room availability.

Call Alyse at 954-474-8498 or e-mail alyse12@gmail.com. Please mail check, payable to Mosaic, to Alyse Thompson, 1080 N.W. 85th Terrace, Plantation, FL 33322. Please include your cell phone & e-mail address. This trip will be limited to 40 people from the entire region, so don’t delay in sending your check.