Author: townadmin (Page 11 of 45)

Hi all,  We had a nice group of TOWNIES today, Lisa, Effie,  Jacque,  Kim, Leigh, Janice, Jody and Marsha,  along with Super Power Dogs Junko and Sheba, who were eagerly searching for the Easter bunny.  We did not find the bunny, but we did hear Easter birds, especially cardinals, and see an Easter squirrel.  We started in a slight mist, which settled the oak pollen in theory, but actually the oak pollen covered the world in a yellow-green cast of color.  It was difficult to see through the pollen haze as we skipped along the trails, venturing into the world of the greenbelt for a 4.4 mile hike.  The creek was mostly dry, except for some small stagnant pools of water, attracting few visitors except for a solitary bird every now and then who ventured forth to see the water.  Flowers remained in bloom, surpassing the week before with variety and a rainbow of color.  Bouquets in the air included bluebonnets,  cedar sage, primrose, verbena,  Eve’s necklace,  rain lily,  wild onions and the ever-present yellow flowers.  We scampered on home only to be rewarded with Carrot Cake, another creation from Leigh.  That may have been the highlight of the hike!

Until next time..  Happy Trails, Marsha

Six TOWNIES met at the Rowing Dock on Wednesday to try our luck on Ladybird Lake.  Stephanie N., tried out Diane’s kayak, and was excitedly anticipating the arrival of her new 26 Pound Perception Prodigy XS kayak.  Nancy L. joined us from San Antonio; in addition, Judy A, Gloria W and Diane’s friend from the Wildflower center, Courtney S all enjoyed some rather aerobic paddling due to some wind from the west.  We started out heading toward Red Bud Isle as we were hoping to catch a tail wind on our way back.  I must report, not a single person complained about the challenge to their arm strength in paddling so hard.  Not many birds were spotted; however there were some rather pretty water Iris that on further research by Gloria turned out to be a non-native species.

Next kayaking is with Linda F at 5:30pm at the Rowing Dock on April 20.  DianeN

Hi All,  We had a nice group of 7 TOWNIES today, Effie,  Kim, Jacque, Jenny, Lisa, Debbie and Marsha, protected from raging wildflowers and cool breezes by the Canine Protection Team of Junko and Sheba.  The weather was perfect and served as a nice compliment for bouquets of flowers that danced in the breeze.   Bluebonnets, verbena, cedar sage, spiderwort, violets and little yellow flowers, possibly bitter weed, welcomed us along our 4.85 mile journey.  The creek had water, slowly flowing in some areas, but mostly stagnant with algae already serving as a harbinger of the summer to come.  The breeze still carried the refreshing scent of mountain laurel, but the drying of the creek bed was not to be forgotten, as the unpleasant odor of the drying algae and stagnant water drifted on the wings of the breeze too.

Until next time….  Happy Trails,  Marsha

TOWNIES!  What an amazingly active and fun outing at Palmetto State Park that 22 of us shared last week!  Those camping were:  DianeN, TammyM, JudyS, SuzanneH, KathleenC, JacqueA, LindaBW, FloM, TracyP, EolaL, SusanW (with friend StephanieM), KimF, GloriaB, JuneA, SandyO, and JudyD.  Most of us camped in the loop with electricity, sites 4 – 19.  And those coming for the day were:  SandyB,  StephanieN, and KobyF (with mother-in-law CindyF) and Carrie L. What a variety of personalities and camping gear – tents, vans, rvs!  Weather was outstanding, cooler nights and mornings with warmer afternoons.

Arrival days varied.  Thursday, several of us did some birding around the camp sites, near the Refectory, and a cross the low water crossing to the group camping.  In the group camping area, we spotted a female Pied-Billed Woodpecker.  Her markings stood out perfectly for a female and she stayed with us long enough for thorough, long looks.  Then we walked around the Oxbow Lake and returned via portions of the Ottine Swamp Trail and Canebrake Spur.  Thursday evening, we met at Gloria’s site to sit in our camp chairs, visit, and eat snacks.  And took a short walk before heading to bed.

Friday was our trip to Shiner Day.  We left our campground at 9:30 am and met Sandy Smith at Beran’s Agri Center and Western Wear located at 2515 Us-90 Alt W in Shiner.  Yes, we shopped ‘til we dropped buying western hats and granddaughter gift items.  From there we drove to meet Tilley where SandyS boards her.  We stroked probably eight horses and a colt, and then met Tilly, the lovely, soft, friendly horse SandyS rides.  Tilly, who is indeed a pretty girl, allowed us to touch her nose, lips, and stroke her bunches.  Afterward, some women headed to the remodeled Spoetzl Brewery and three of us went geocaching.  We all went our own way.  The report from the remodeled brewery was good.  And the geocachers located three caches.  Afterward, we all headed to downtown Shiner for looking and shopping.  Several women visited the Amish Furniture store, another the Quilt Factory, several of us the B’Marie Boutique & Coffee Bar, and still others hit the creamery before lunch.  But it does sell Amy’s!  We did our best to boost the Shiner economy!  At 3 pm, the Shiner Palace Saloon opened, and we were the first guests.  Depend on TOWNIES to eat!  The menu was appealing, and we took advantage of it.  Our hostess was experienced, and our group photo was taken and added to Palace Saloon Facebook page as Texas Outdoors Women Network from Austin.  The owner was quite nice and welcoming.  After our late lunch/early dinner we headed back to camp.  This evening, we moved our chairs near June’s van and visited.  Each evening we took a brief hike on some of the shorter trails near our campground.  Our constant companions were the inchworms falling into our hair, on our clothes, and our faces.  We also would hear cattle bawling and coyotes howling.  One evening after going to bed, we heard shotguns firing and guessed folks were hunting feral hogs outside the park boundary.

Saturday was Flo’s HIKE HIKE HIKE morning, “me myself and I will lead a hike Saturday morning, soooo get these boots were made for hiking on, grab you some water and let’s meet at Site #6 and hit the trail at/or about 9ish!!! 😎 Hope you can all join us!”  At 9, we welcomed the arrival of StephanieN, KobyF and CindyF.  We headed past the Refectory, a across the low water bridge, through camping ground, around Oxbow Lake, and then to our camp.  Chairs moved to the shade and dinner plans began.  This was our everyone is helping cook dinner.   The following is LindaBW’s spreadsheet of ingredients and who is bringing what:
Linda…chicken, tortillas and 1 can enchilada sauce
Gloria…hatch chilis
Flo….spinach
Tracy…grated cheddar cheese
Judy D ….cream cheese
June…..brownies
Jacque…ice cream and cherry cobbler ingredients
Bring stretchy pants!!

Susan had planned to cook a Dutch Oven Tart Cherry Cobbler, but we arrived Wednesday to a burn ban.  Later that night we were allowed to use charcoal for cooking, but no wood in the grates.  Salad and dinner were excellent – both spicy and mild choices.  And the tart cherry sauce was great with ice cream and warm brownies.  Yes, we ate everything!   Unfortunately, we had several falls tonight, but no one was hurt luckily.  KobyF, CindyF, and StephanieN stayed for dinner.

Sunday was lunch at DQ day.  First, LindaBW and Gloria cooked breakfast – eggs and bacon – a good camping breakfast.  Then it was lunch time.  Two of us drove to Luling early and found several caches.  Then we met the rest of the hungry women at DQ.  Yes, we ate again!  But there was the excitement of the driver of a bucket truck who managed to get stuck under the DQ drive-thru roof.  If you have seen the photos, you understand.  It certainly attracted lots of attention amid the customers and drivers lined up in the drive-thru lane.

And Monday it was time to head home.  We began packing, visited the dump station, and said our goodbyes.  A super camping trip and wonderful time was enjoyed by all.  LindaBW & Jacque

Well, this was certainly a memorable hike at least for one of use.  Today’s members attending were:  AnnaE, KimW, KathleenC with Baby and Mamie, and Jacque with Sheba.  The temperature was so very comfortable, the sky beautifully blue, the leaves provided so much shade, and the creek was running clear.  One member fell – I cannot recall who – and did a tumble.  Sandy clothes and an ugly bruise resulted.  Our conversations today in no specific order ranged widely:  allergies and such increased pollen levels; pollen on cars and how the yellow shows up so vividly; how pollen resembles Sulphur to some folks; whether or not kitties should be allowed outside if you have bird feeders; why some cats hunt for birds and some don’t; why and how some cats are shared by several families on the same neighborhood street; traveling to Guadalupe Mountain National Park for camping and having do to the cooking for dinner; walking Spain’s famous pilgrimage trail, El Camino de Santiago; where to stay when you walk the trail – hotel, hostel, camp – what is right for each of us; whether to walk the entire trail for two months or perhaps two weeks’ worth; how many folks walk the trail and how the popularity has grown; how you can stay in a hotel and the staff will return you to the trail where you left off; having to do laundry on the trail; Anna’s recent three week trip in Israel – places she saw, her healthy hiking roommate, birds she encountered, the Sierra Club leader; why the trip was canceled due to Covid two days prior to her departure, but the leader said “come on, everything is paid for”; the Covid tests and timing required by Israel; and the topics I have already forgotten.  Yes, we talked a lot today.

Come join us and enjoy the trail with us!  Jacque

Hi all,  We had a motley crew of TOWNIES today, Kim, Effie, Leigh, Jody, Marsha,  Lisa along with Junko, the Canine Protection Team president. One of the hikers claimed to have a knee injury although there were no x- rays to support that claim while she scampered about, skipping gaily over the rough terrain.  I had promised an easier hike to accommodate the injury, but then I overheard the hikers making plans to claim injuries  weekly to avoid hills on Sunday.  I am suspicious.  To get on IR, injured reserve,  list I will be asking for a doctor’s note.  Actually,  it was a delightful hike with good friends as we navigated the 4.4  miles in the  waning cool weather.  Spring just turned the calendar page, but Summer is soon to follow,  with heat and humidity.  But today, we were serenaded by birds,  while we watched the fields come alive with Spring green and eager flowers, glistening in the cool air.  Verbena,  violets, mountain laurel, bluebonnets,  cedar sage and many others all were showing off their beauty. Entertainment abounded!

Until next time….. Happy Trails, Marsha

Hi all,  There were 6 TOWNIES today, Leigh, Lisa, Jenny, Kim, Effie and Marsha,  who were protected by Junko, president of the Canine Protection Team.  We traveled 4.7 miles over the Rock and Root Trail, aptly named for both rocks and roots, that seemed to have doubled in quantity due to the Spring Fling of growth.  We were reminded that Spring is here with the mighty elms showing off limbs laden with the bright green of new leaves, taunting the Oaks as they are dropping their leaves.  Flowers were emerging with violets, wild onions, and little yellow flowers of something that danced in the wind.   Some stalks of plants maintained quiet dignity as they have just started to emerge with growth, but regally blew in the breeze,  knowing their time will be soon.  Cardinal entertainment abounded with chirps and a squirrel frantically paraded about basking in the day.  Actually, we TOWNIES basked in the day, too!

Until next time… Happy Trails,  Marsha

14 Townies braved the gales and cold of March: Lisa McMillan and her 2 grandkids Harley and Lexi, Maria Vidal and her cockatiel Hami (Yes, she tent camped with Maria), Bev Travis, Tracy Pennington, Janice Bittner, Cindy Schiffgrens, Kay Smith and her cousin Darlene, Sandy Behrman, Carol Scott, and Janet Fitzsimon-Barr, and for a day or two, a new member Jennifer Foyt. Most Townies stayed at the state park in RV’s, tents or screened shelter. The majority came in Wednesday night or Thursday.

Thursday was an “on your own day” since the 6 hour drive from Austin can take its toll. The campsites are well-spaced, with beautiful pine trees. The park was full, but there are plenty of beautiful, quiet, well-marked hiking trails. Janet and Sandy stayed at Carol Scott’s lake cabin just up the road from the park, and Kay and Darlene were in their Winnebago in Carol’s driveway. Some ladies visiting Jefferson, a very charming little town with red brick streets and tasty homemade ice cream.

On Friday morning, we split up into 2 groups for a morning boat trip into the cypress bayous. Signs on posts in the water mark different paddle trails, with letters and a green stripe for Texas and a red stripe for Louisiana. The majority of the lake itself is actually in Louisiana It is a maze of backwaters and bayous sporting names like Alligator Bayou, Old Folk’s Playground, Cathedral, and Government Ditch. It was too cold to see any alligators, but a few turtles were seen along with herons, egrets and a pileated woodpecker. Afterwards, a group felt courageous so they had lunch at the Lighthouse Grill. Although the décor and neon signs were “different”, they had an excellent meal cooked by one energetic woman -who we also concluded was the waitress, chef, cashier, and probably the dishwasher too!

Janet went to the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge to birdwatch, which is only a short drive from the state park. There is a gazebo with illustrated descriptions of the agreement to make Caddo Lake “Wetlands of International Importance” under the Ramsar Treaty (Named after Ramsar, Iran, where the treaty was signed.). The refuge itself was only created in 2000, after the federal government closed down the Longhorn Army Ammunitions area once it was deemed safe to be a park.

More info is in this article: https://caddolakeinstitute.org/ramsar/#:~:text=Original%20Designation%3A%20On%20October%2023,Lake%20State%20Wildlife%20Management%20Area.

There was a ranger night hike on Friday night with several Townies in attendance and about 15 other people. One of the topics was – did you see the sparkling of the spider’s eyes using your flashlight? Sadly, some Townies felt they did not make the grade on this task. We saw the first Lightning Bugs of the season, so pretty in the forest.  Later that night a storm blew through that, luckily did not produce hail as feared, but did get some campers wet.

On Saturday, Bev, Maria and Tracy went kayaking and then Maria made a scrumptious brunch of eggs and potatoes and sausage. Kay, Darla and Sandy went bicycling to the National Wildlife Refuge, then Carol and Sandy shopped in Jefferson, about 25 miles away. And, they brought home fudge!!  Janice and Janet went to the park ranger hike where trees were the topic. Did you know there were sugar maples at Caddo? Some of the bald cypress are up to 400 years old.  Later, Cindy and others went to the Art in the Park talk where once again, some Townies felt they fell short of talent in this department, too. Cindy saved our reputation by producing a beautiful watercolor.

Saturday night we had grilled burgers on Carol’s deck that overlooks Big Cypress Bayou She has a laminated map that helps understand all the twists and turns that make up Caddo Lake.  Most of us left on Sunday, but some folks were staying longer.  So much history, colorful characters, and awesome flora and fauna. Although the weather was a little trying, as it can be this time of year, it was agreed that Caddo Lake is a special place, indeed.

Until next time,  Janet and Lisa

Good Morning All:  Another great morning walk led by Kim and Sheba covering 6.2 miles of trail.  If that raised your eyebrows as intended, you should know Sheba was the only one to really go 6.2 miles.  The rest of us enjoyed a 4.2-mile excursion.  Marsha had graciously afforded the meeting spot in front of her home while doing hard labor on her brother’s fence.  Despite a later start time at 8 am Kim, Jacque, Carolyn, Leigh and Sheba were met by a lingering chill in the air.  Kim came equipped with extra shirt layers which came in handy.  This Sunday walk was again a bright awakening to the unrelenting beauty of the Barton Creek Trails and so much to learn in chatter about going back to work after Spring break, our families and significant others, our next adventure spots, plantings this year and bird sightings.  We were lucky to hear and spot the harvesting of a woodpecker upon our return and the beginning burst of violets on the trail.  We are all looking forward to seeing more of you next time!

Happy Trails!  Leigh

Hey TOWNies!  What an enjoyable hike we had today!  Good moods, cold weather, dry trails, and a clear sky – so positive.  Attending were:  Jacque with Sheba, Kathleen with Baby and Mamie, and KimW.  As usual, we pretty much talked nonstop and topics included:  cats that beg for HEB chicken, Friday’s weather forecast of cold temps rain and winds, diabetes type 1 & 2, Hemoglobin A1C results, various pharmaceutical drugs and impacts, various dentists and issues, high cholesterol, forgetting your dog’s treats & the looks you keep getting, breaking in new hiking boots, how to reduce or quit eating sugar & carbs, what makes a healthier breakfast, collecting 24 hours of urine & feeling pleased, are all fruits carbs, and I guess that’s it for this morning.  Come hike with us.  We have a good time and enjoy being outside!  Jacque