The Florida Trail Association and its 'Western Gate' chapter in the Perdido Key/Pensacola area features another full slate of events next month. The state association develops, maintains, protects and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail. Together with its partners the group provides opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education and contribute to meaningful volunteer work.

Here's the slate of upcoming events. All activities are free except otherwise noted. More details can be found in our Meetup sites, http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/  and http://westgate.floridatrail.org/ .

Aug. 2 Fri Dinner Hike. 6 p.m. Location: A. K. Suter Elementary, 501 Pickens Avenue, Pensacola, FL. Join Trudy & Patty for a hike around the neighborhood near Pickens and along the bayou for about an hour before dinner at an area restaurant.　 If you have questions, contact Trudy at 850-434-8861 or sign up in our meetup site.

Aug. 4 Sunday Wake-Up Hike. 7 a.m. Location: UWF, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL. Look for blue Honda Odyssey with 'Hike' on the front. Get the day started with Trudy and/or Peggy with a brisk walk and afterwards join us for breakfast. We will walk about an hour, about 1 to 3 miles. We will be hiking/walking at different locations each Sunday morning. Easy, fun, healthy and friendly Contact Trudy Walden 850-434-8861 Peggy Grantham 850-982-9490 or sign up in our meetup site.

Aug. 10 Saturday 'Discover Our State Parks!' Location: Big Lagoon State Park! Meet 9 a.mm Big Lagoon State Park (12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL.) Peggy will be at a pavilion near the playground in the park. Join Peggy for a day of fun at Big Lagoon State Park right here in Escambia County! She will be a a pavilion with a picnic table near the playground by 9 AM. Come out and play, eat, walk and swim with her. This state park is right in our neighborhood so there will be NO long drive. Bring a picnic lunch and come whenever and stay as long as you like! At 10 am we will take a walk out to the observation tower before it gets too hot. Then we will swim and eat our picnic lunch. Bring some fruit or desert to share with the group and remember your folding chairs and cooler with lots of water. This is a neat park with lots of wildlife and scenic walks. You may bring your kayak too and paddle out into the lagoon. Your bike is another fun way to see the park. Call Peggy Grantham 850-982-9490 or sign up in our meetup site.

Aug. 15, Thursday, Western Gate Chapter Meeting at 6:30 p.m. social, 7 pm meeting. Location: First Christian Church, 6031 Goodrich Dr. Pensacola, Florida 32504. This is our monthly chapter meeting where we talk and meet and discuss past activities and report on new activities. The program will be presented by Robert Bender from Leadership Pensacola, speaking on the new "LEAP Trail" around the Pensacola International Airport. Please contact Helen Wigersma 850-484-0528 for details or sign up in our meetup site.

Tubing! Down the Coldwater Creek with Adventures Unlimited! Meet at 9:30 a.m. Adventures Unlimited (8974 Tomahawk Landing Drive, Milton, FL.) George will lead us on an adventure down the clear cool Coldwater Creek on a TUBE! Come in bathing suit and be ready for fun. If you have questions, contact George Brinkman at　850- 932-0125 . for more information or sign up at our meetup site.

Aug. 18 Sunday Canoe/Kayak Trip on the Perdido River. Meet 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Publix shopping center on the corner of Pine Forest Road and Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. We'll meet and then car caravan to the put-in spot at the bridge on Barrineau Park Road in Molino. Perdido Natural Adventures will shuttle the drivers to the take-out spot at The Pipes Recreation Area. The cost of the shuttle will be $5.00. The Perdido River has a gentle current, crystal clear water, plenty of sandbars to play on and places to swim. This is about an 8 mile paddle and takes about 4-5 hours. Bring your canoe/kayak, paddle, PFD (Personal Flotation Device), whistle, extra clothing, swimsuit, raingear, sunglasses, hat, water shoes, camera, sunscreen, snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Pets are welcome. Pet PFD's recommended if your pet is not a good swimmer. Glass containers and alcohol are not allowed. If you do not have your own boat, you can rent one from Perdido Natural Adventures at (850) 587-3002. If you have questions, contact Cheryl Gardner at 850-484-9111 or sign up in our meetup site.