Was that really rain?  Four of us met to walk and talk and play catch-up:  AnnaE, KobyF, her friend AlijandraW, and Jacque with Sheba.  We arrived promptly at 8:30 and sky was very dark, almost dark gray.  We did feel several rain drops, but decided to forge on down the trail.  Crossing the creek and walking a bit, we felt more rain drops, but decided we were TOWN women and would manage!  Plus, we had Sheba to lead and carry us!  Our discussions included:  why some of us did not attend the Holiday Party and why some did; (be careful reading this) sizes of sizes and colors of dog poop and how difficult it is to find with all the leaves; places to stop and visit a restroom between our houses and the TC parking lost; Fiona’s accident and all the emergency vehicles and workers that arrived to help her; destinations for traveling in the United States:  Arizona, New Mexico, Salt Lake, Michigan; and destinations for traveling outside the US:  Norway, Sweden, Finland, Columbia, India, Korea, Portugal, and Spain.  We are all so ready to travel!

Come hike with us!  We enjoy the trail and folks we encounter!  Jacque

Hi all,  There were masses of hikers today, somewhere I am sure,  but for this hike, there was only one hiker–me! Of course,  I was protected by Canine Protection Team of Waldi and Berta as we galloped along 4.2 miles with no agenda, going where my feet wanted to go.  We tried new trails, found new areas to mark, Waldi, and new grass to eat, Berta.  I maintained my dignity and just focused on the beautiful day, rather than marking my territory or eating grass. It is a dog’s life.  The conversation was limited to greeting others on this day.

Until next time… Happy Trails, Marsha

So, how do you get invited to the Leaders’ Appreciation Outing?   Lead two or more outings during a year and you are included!  Yes!!  These outings are consistently fun.

Who was included?  JennyF led hikes; MarilynF and LindaBW led campouts; DianeN, PegG, and GailPC led kayaking; LindaF and GloriaW both led kayaking outings but were unable to join us.  Same with KathleenC and MarshaK who led hikes but could not join us.  Your Board members are also included for the hours they spend working for TOWN – MarieW, KarenK, EffieK, AnnaE, JanetF, AngieB, and Jacque.

Thirteen of us met at the Bullock Museum to enjoy DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA, a Laser IMAX 3D movie.  The description is given as Journey to the south polar landscapes of Antarctica hundreds of millions of years ago when the land was home to primitive forests, thick swamps, and fascinating prehistoric creatures. Fast-forward to the present and join Antarctic scientists on a quest to understand the continent today, its profound transformation into a land of ice, and the ways this transformation can help us to predict future changes to the planet. Welcome to the lost prehistoric world of Gondwana. Welcome to Antarctica.  And we definitely enjoyed it!  Personally, I thought the color was well done.

After the movie, we walked to the Texas Chili Parlor for lunch and non-stop talking and laughing.  The food was tasty and the service quite good.  For this outing TOWN pays for the movie and lunch, but no alcohol.

Lead two or more outings in 2023 and you’ll be included too!

Jacque

Hi All, We had 7 TOWNIES yesterday, Carolyn, Paula, Jody, Leigh, Effie, Janice and me, protected by the Canine Protection Team of Waldi and Berta.  We traveled 4.1-4.6 miles, depending on which app we believe, over steep terrain, rocky crevices and flat silt, all the time marveling at the beginning of Spring and the emerging blooms of the flowers.  We stopped by the secret grave site and we carefully counted each TOWNIE as we left to ensure that none had been grabbed and held captive in the grave by unknown forces.  We frantically searched initially after we left the site but then a careful recount calmed the tense nerves; all were present.  The squirrels were scampering about, tormenting the fine Snouties as they are hunting dogs.  Last week, they hunted the wind but yesterday it was big game, the squirrels.  Cardinals were singing and flitting about. The weather is gently warming, a reminder that the Texas heat is not too far away.

Until next time… Happy Trails, Marsha

Hi all,  We had 6 hikers, Jody,  Carolyn, Effie, Debbie, Paula and me, protected by the Snouties Protection Team of Waldi and Berta.  We had a guest Snoutie today, Patchy,  grand dog of Carolyn.  It was heartwarming, yet terrifying,  to see THREE Schnauzers on the hike. Fortunately,  Patchy is more mature and dignified…and better behaved. It is also the first hike back by Patchy since he was bitten by rattlesnake this fall. Welcome back Patchy!  I am wondering if Patchy can’t come over to Camp Grandma too frequently now since he often gets hurt or ends up in doggie ER.  We stopped by the “grave”, still perfectly dug but with no one home there. We think.  It is small grave so our short hikers all stood up tall to avoid being the next homeowner there.  We had perfect weather for our 4.7 miles.  Best part? Friends!

Until next time… Happy Trails, Marsha

It’s warm out there!  Three of us met to walk and talk and play catch-up:  EffieK, KathleenC with Baby and Mamie, and Jacque with Sheba.  We started walking from the parking lot talking about how happy the dogs were to be walking and running at Turkey Creek.  We walked the usual trail with the added exercise advantages of climbing over limbs, squeezing under limbs, and walking through water.  Effie managed to do the Limbo with one particularly low limb.  It was obvious additional chain sawing had been done in the past five days.  We heard frequent toads calling during our walk.  Many of the damaged trees looked very unusual.  We ran into Tony and her dog Jackie; Tony had just seen a Ladderback Woodpecker and was quite pleased; then we started discussing our state park camping trips for February – April:  Lake Brownwood, Palmetto, and Guadalupe River.

Come hike with us!  We enjoy the trail and folks we encounter!  Jacque

Hello Townies,  We had a very pleasant hike this morning. Marsha and her Snouties, Berta and Waldi were joined by Carolyn, Jenny, Janice, Jody, Paula, Leigh and Effie. We meandered up and down rocks, hills and remnants of fallen trees for a total of 4.2 miles all the while staying close to our leader since most of us were not entirely sure of our whereabouts and would be lost without her! We chatted endlessly sharing stories, quandaries and lots of laughs.  We did note that the plum trees are beginning to bloom!

Until next time… Happy trails, Effie

Afternoon TOWN Members!  Four of us – AnnaE, KathleenC with Baby and Mamie, and Jacque with Sheba – started from the parking lot talking about last night’s monthly meeting and how much we enjoyed the speaker, Travis Jaz.  All three canines were eager to be on the trail, sniffing, and checking the creek water.  The trail condition has been improved, more limbs having been trimmed, but doing the limbo or straddling the limbs is still helpful.  There is still lots to be done with chainsaws by the City of Austin.  We discussed using a hiking stick, which route to take, and additional parks that offer hiking routes like:  St. Ed’s on Spicewood Springs Road, Bull Creek Park, Walnut Creek Park, and Lady Bird Lake Trail.  AnnaE didn’t bring her dog, but we learned he is a Chiweenie — also known as a choxie — is a cross between a Chihuahua and a dachshund and knows the command Sidewalk; she definitely likes to travel and is headed to Napal soon; it’s fun to hear her plans.  KathleenC is headed to Las Vegas soon for her daughter’s wedding, planning to attend the amazing Cirque du Soleil shows while there, and eat well!  Jacque spent the hike keeping an eye on Sheba today.

Come hike with us!  We enjoy talking and catching up with each other.  The trail presents a good environment, and we enjoy folks we encounter!

Jacque

Hi all,  We had 3 hikers today, Carolyn,  Leigh and me, protected by 3 dogs, Patchy,  Waldi and Berta.  This allowed a level of confidence and security seldom experienced,  knowing that the Canine Protection Team was ready to rescue us if we fell into a well, was charged by a rhinoceros or in danger of being killed on train tracks as a speeding train was approaching.  None of that happened, of course,  but we did hike our 4.3 miles with an arrogant confidence in cold but clear and crisp weather.  We did see other hikers and runners who complimented the 3 well behaved dogs. I still can’t think of which ones they were referring to.

I apologize as last week I forgot to send out trip report so here it is in abbreviated version: we had 7 hikers, had fun and returned home safely.

Until next time…..  Happy  Trails, Marsha

Amazing, talented, fun group of Townie’s – Janet, Jacque, Marilyn, Peg, Christine, Phyllis, Stephanie, Carrie, and Marion joined me a fabulous afternoon of laughter, conversation, food and bingo!  Everyone wanted to be together so bingo it was with boxes of puzzles as prizes that Stephanie brought to recycle.  What a great idea Stephanie.

Let me know who is missing their reading glasses:} Several wanted a copy of my chili recipe so I posted it for everyone to enjoy.  We will do it again.  I have to make this short since my computer is acting up and this is the 4th time I tried to send and keeps deleting everything.

JuneA