Pee Dee Group, South Carolina Chapter, Sierra Club
  Post Office Box  4596
  Florence, SC 29502
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The next outing is on January 26th, 2008 and will introduce participants to Geocaching.

 Geocaching is an excellent way to explore the outdoors and share great places to visit with others. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches by posting GPS coordinates on the Internet. Geocaching is a mix of old fashioned orienteering with modern day global positioning systems. 

I have found Geocaching to be invaluable to help learn how to use a handheld GPS for hiking, driving to unfamiliar destinations, or capturing coordinates for later reference using traditional maps. See http://www.geocaching.com/ for more details. Warning: this can be a very addictive outdoor sport . . . Remember, you do not have to be a Sierra Club member to participate, and kids (10 and up recommended) are welcome with adult supervision. 

Time: We’ll meet at my house (2699 Trotter Road, Florence, SC) for a brief overview and introduction at 8:30 AM on 1/26/2008. I plan to search for 3-5 caches. Should wrap it up by 2:00 PM. What to Wear: Dress for the weather (45 to 55 degrees), and bring rain gear. What to Bring: Bring a GPS if you have one or can borrow one. Bring a lunch — we’ll stop along the way for a picnic. Sunglasses, sunscreen. Prework: Know how to enter a waypoint — that’s it – nothing complicated. 

Outings Leader: David Wach, dwach@sc.rr.com , 843-629-4850 / 843-661-5895 / 843-229-9000 (cell). Contact me to let me know you are planning to go. Feel free to call or e-mail if you have questions.

Butterfly Watching Outing: Date - Saturday October 20th at 10:00 AM

Doug and Pam DeNeve will lead us on a unique outing to help us become familiar with butterflies in our area. We'll plan on butterflying near the visitor's center, including the boardwalk through a swamp, then stop for a picnic lunch. Afterwards, anyone who wants to stick around can go to another area of the park where we will explore a muddy road along the Lynch's River. This is an area where unusual butterflies have been spotted - It's also a good area for birding.

What to wear - Plan on mild temperatures in the 60's to 70's, possibility of rain is always likely

What to bring - Lunch, butterfly/bird reference book, binoculars

Meeting Location - Visitor's center at Lee State Park, about 20 miles west of Florence, just a mile off I-20 at exit 123

Reference Information - See park website at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/891.aspx  for more information and have a look at the on-line tour. SC has many wonderful and frequently undiscovered parks.

Bird Watching Outing: Date - Sunday November 11, 2007 at 10:00 AM

Dr. Julia Krebs and Roger Hux will be our guides on the much anticipated annual bird watching outing. Meet at 10:00 AM just past the Causeway (go south at the intersection and take the first right into the small parking lot) at Huntington Beach State Park. People that want to carpool should meet at FMU in front of the nursing building at 8:00 AM. Bring a lunch. Remember the beach may have different weather than Florence. Be prepared. It is tradition after the outing to debrief at one of the many fine local dining establishments while the official bird count is determined. Last years count was about 60 birds. We are fortunate to have such a renowned birding hot spot so close to Florence.

What to wear - Plan on mild temperatures in the 60's to 70's, possibility of rain is always likely

What to bring - Lunch, bird reference book, binoculars (If someone needs binoculars please let me know - Dr. Krebs said she can bring some extra)

Meeting Location - Huntington Beach State Park, small parking lot just beyond the causeway.

Reference Information - See park website at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1020.aspx  for more information.

Pee Dee River Canoe and Kayak Float (Near Kingsburg, SC): December 8th, 2007 (8 AM to 3 PM)

This float will take us along the best part of the Great Pee Dee River – as well as along the site being considered for the Santee Cooper Power plant. Find out why outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists are concerned… This is an easy float with stops every one to two hours, and a break for lunch. Children must be 12 and older and accompanied by an adult. Though no particular skill is necessary, paddlers must be in good physical health. Canoes and kayaks are not provided – however, see information below. Note: you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to go on this trip. Feel free to call me if you have questions.

Date and Time – Saturday 12/8/07 meet at 7:30 AM and push off at 8:00 AM.

Meeting Location – Start at Dewitt (public) Landing off River Road north of Kingsburg, SC. Pull out is at Allyson’s Ferry Landing.

What to wear - Plan for morning temperatures in the mid to low 40’s (possibly cooler) with temperatures rising to high 50’s to low 60's. Wear layers that can be easily removed or added as temperatures change. Extra shirt and towel. Bring poncho or rain gear. Hat to block sun. Avoid wearing anything made of cotton – man-made materials will dry more quickly and keep you warmer if you get wet. Remember – “Cotton kills.”

What to bring – Canoe or kayak. Life vest required, paddle (and spare if possible). You may want to consider paddling gloves if you tend to get blisters easily or if hands get cold easily. Please do not bring tandems unless you and your partner are experienced in using such a craft – they don’t call them “divorce boats” for nothing. Lunch and snacks in water tight container, plenty to drink to stay hydrated.

Special Arrangements – The Sierra Club is not outfitting this trip. You are encouraged to bring your own gear. However, Naturally Outdoors (2519 W Palmetto St., Florence, SC 29501 843-665-1551) and Wildlife Action (Mullins, SC 843-464-8473 ) may be able to provide canoes or kayaks at Dewitt Landing and pick up the boats at the pullout. Please contact these organizations directly.

Outings Leader Contact Information: David Wach e-mail, dwach@sc.rr.com, 843-629-4850. Please e-mail or call to let me know if you are going on the outing. Participants will be asked to sign an official Sierra Club waiver form before taking off.

Outings Leader Contact Information: