Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club

Palm Beach County's Largest and Most Biologically Diverse Natural Area! Nine native Florida ecosystems at this 12,957-acre site.
The kayak trail is at 8311 PGA Blvd, don't go to the bee-line highway hiking trail, called the Loxahatchee Blueway Trail. See location on the map below. There are bathrooms at Sandhill Crane Park across the C-18 canal. Please arrive by 9:30 in time to launch by 10:00am. This trail is in full sun so dress appropriately and bring sun block. No rentals at this location. We will paddle approx 4 miles through a beautiful cypress swamp with a loop around Anhinga Island. This is considered an intermediate trail, due to a bit of a steep launch (not that bad but some experience helpful) and a portage. A shorter, narrow kayak is recommended, since we will be paddling through Cypress trees (I’ve done it in a 10’ kayak and a 14’ kayak and did fine) but also plenty of lily pads. There will be one portage, and we will have a few steps in shallow mucky water, so your shoes will get wet and dirty. Bring water and snacks/lunch to consume on the island. Most important, bring an adventurous spirit! Gorgeous scenery. Birds, flowers, etc.

WE WILL BE PICKING UP TRASH FROM THE MANGROVES BETWEEN THE GOLF COURSE AND THE INTERCOASTAL INCLUDING THE SNOOK ISLANDS IF BRINGING A SUP OR KAYAK. WE WILL PROVIDE GLOVES BAGS GRABBERS AND BUCKETS. THIS IS ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO CLEAN UP AND PEOPLE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF OUR HELP!

The Executive Director of the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History will speak to P&P members and visitors at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

Rudy Pascucci, the Executive Director of the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History, will be the guest speaker at the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 10, at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, part of Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413.

The meeting is free and open to everyone -- current and past club members, club visitors and guests and the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive for socializing starting at 1:30p.m.

Rudy’s topic: “The History of Florida Archaeology, Part 2: Uncovering the Past -- Florida’s Pioneer Archaeologists”

Description: Who is who in Florida archaeology, and how did it all begin? This lecture will present the history of archaeology in Florida from its earliest pioneers to recent times.

Key sites and the personalities associated with them will be discussed, as well as the development of archaeological methods and techniques.

Included will be the foundation of statewide organizations such as the Florida Anthropological Society, the Florida Public Archaeology Network, and the Division of Historical Resources.

(Special note: Rudy presented Part One of his lecture at the Pack & Paddle meeting on October 12, 2024. That presentation covered the Native Americans who inhabited Florida from the earliest up until the contact era. Part Two will deal with the archaeologists themselves, from the first amateurs back in the 1700s through the development of today's state and university programs.)

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

After a career as a military officer that included combat service in Vietnam, Rudy Pascucci returned to his earlier interests in the natural sciences.

Rudy holds a degree in anthropology from Florida Atlantic University, where he participated in archaeological fieldwork in Ecuador. In addition, he holds a BA degree in Speech Arts from Hofstra University, where, later, as an ROTC instructor, he held the position of Assistant Professor of Military Science. Rudy has also taught both science and English literature at public and charter schools in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Rudy has been the Executive Director of the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History since 2005. In 2013, he accompanied museum paleontologist Robert DePalma on his expeditions to North Dakota and then later to Haiti. These expeditions resulted in major paleontological discoveries that subsequently made international news.

In 2017, Rudy was instrumental in bringing the museum to its new location in Wellington. Rudy is also a Board Member of the Palm Beach County Archaeological Society, President of the Broward County Archaeological Society, President of the South Florida Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, and Recording Secretary of the statewide Florida Anthropological Society.

MEETING REMINDER

--Who: Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club

--What: October club meeting

--Speaker: Rudy Pascucci, Executive Director of the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History

--When: Saturday, October 10, 2 p.m.

--Social time: Starts at 1:30 p.m.

--Where: Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

--Directions: From Jog Road, take Forest Hill Boulevard 1.2 miles west to Eshleman Trail (the second Okeeheelee Park entrance). Turn right (north) and follow the signs and road 1.6 miles to the Nature Center, which is in the back of the park.

--Questions:Text or call 561-312-2765.

PRODUCE

Before the meeting: Please bring produce to support Okeeheelee’s‘Animal Ambassadors’

Please bring your extra produce to each meeting. Produce can be placed on the table in the back of the meeting room.

Here are the produce and specialty items that will be particularly helpful to the Nature Center:

--Apples (loved by the deer and Paisley, the opossum)

--Carrots (for the deer, opossum and insects)

--Celery (favorites of the deer) --Sweet Potatoes (loved by the deer, opossum and insects)

--Zucchini (for the deer)

--Squash (one of Paisley’s favorites)

--Greens (loved by the turtles)

--Unsalted Almonds (for the deer)

--Canned Cat Food (loved by Paisley)

--Unscented Puppy Pads for Paisley

--Wild Bird Seed with no corn or fillers (for the local birds at the bird feeders)

(Note: Please do not bring citrus or iceberg lettuce.)

Produce donations help to feed animals throughout the beautiful natural area at the park. And our club receives credit for our produce donations!

REMINDER: We also have a donation jar on the table. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase produce for the next monthly meeting. The Nature Center gratefully thanks you for your generous donations at each meeting.

RAFFLE

Participate in the monthly raffle

Michelle Gaudet’s monthly raffle will be held near the middle of the meeting, with proceeds to be allocated equally to the club’s General and Conservation funds.

REMINDER: Please remember to bring your “Raffle Cash” to the meeting!

Special note: Please bring your donations for future raffles to the meeting! We accept camping, hiking, paddling, bicycling and snorkeling items, of course. We also accept your household goods as well.

EVENTS SLIDE SHOW

Looking ahead: Our events preview slide show for the next four weeks!

Near the end of the meeting, we will view the slide show presentation of upcoming events and trips that will include comments from trip organizers! Kathy McKim will be your host. We will learn about events and trips for the next four weeks – plus trips that you will need to plan for far in advance!

MEETING QUESTIONS?

For questions about the Pack & Paddle Club meeting, please call or text 561-312-2765.

AFTER THE MEETING

Join us for an Early Bird Dinner at Applebee’s

After each meeting, Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club members and their guests gather for “The Meeting After the Meeting” just down the street at Applebee's Grill + Bar, 6706 Forest Hill Boulevard, Greenacres, FL 33413.

We usually take a show of hands at the end of each meeting so that we know how many people to expect at the restaurant.

Join us at Applebee's!

PAID CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS

Paid club members receive the following emails to keep them informed about club activities:

--Club Newsletter, during the week after club meetings
--Meeting Publicity Alerts, two to three emails during the two weeks prior to club meetings
--Twice-Monthly Event Flyers, on the 1st and 15th of each month

Paid club members are also eligible to:

--Attend some special events that are for paid members only.
--Attend long-distance camping trips, most of which are for paid members only.
--Take part in our 101 classes to learn more about kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and other outdoor activities.
--Receive a membership badge to display at club meetings.

We will launch from the south end of Beach Road at the Kayak launch on the Intracoastal side. This is a fun, approximately 4.5 mile paddle for beginner/intermediate paddlers. Please arrive at 10:00 am to allow time to set up and launch by 10:30.am. We will paddle north to Blowing Rocks for an optional stop to get off vessels for a swim and /or cross the street to see the Ocean. Then paddle on to Tiki 52 for Taco Tuesday Lunch before paddling back to the launch point. Please note that a PFD/Life Jacket is required and you agree to hold Palm Beach Pack and Paddle and their trip leaders harmless for any damages or injuries. As always, the trip is weather dependent so please check messages the morning of. I look forward to sharing the fun and seeing you on the water.