Author: townadmin (Page 30 of 45)

There were 4 brave women, Effie,  Kim, Debbie and Marsha, who challenged the brisk morning  for a 4.3 mile  hike on the  greenbelt. Abby, the wonder dog, led the way and kept us on pace to see the rewarding clear Barton Creek waters dancing along the banks.

 The 1st Sunday of every month will be a different hike. We will still start from my house, but if everyone’s schedule allows we will caravan to a different spot down the road to begin to explore the Western Inn of the Greenbelt.  Will you will have a later arrival time back. There will be some Sundays that I cannot do the far end hike due to church obligations but we will start in February for a different hike on the 1st Sunday.

Happy Trails,  Marsha 

This afternoon 5 Townies including myself went for a bike ride on the north end of the Walnut Creek Trail.  Anne E, Janet F, Janice B, Kay S, & Sandy S.  

The weather was sunny and clear.  There was a breeze, but no high winds.  Everything went perfectly.  We got started right on time.  We made it to the end of the trail.  Where we turned around and returned to the parking lot at the tennis center. 

 Janet gets bonus points for trying to help a gentleman jump start his pickup.  Sadly it didn’t work.  Janet had a 6 cylinder vehicle, everyone else had a 4 cylinder. So, we felt hers was the best to give it a try. She also stayed to continue her ride. She wanted to go back to look with her binoculars at some birds we had seen.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Janice B

We definitely had a fun time hiking Turkey Creek Trail together.  Four of us:  Ann Phipps (friend of Sarah), Anna Elman, Jacque (with sweet dog Sheba Diva) and Sarah Anderson (with her sweetie Bella) met in the parking lot at Turkey Creek.  We did a bit of getting to know one another and then took off.

The trail was in good shape despite being a bit wet.  We did likely 11-12 creek crossings, saw no snakes, no falls, hiked 3.1 miles in about 95 miles.

I will lead this hike again in the new year.  Why?  Because Sheba and I like it and there are no apparent coyotes.

See you on the trail!

Jacque

Trip Report: Goose Island Campout

November 29-December 4, 2018

Who

Gloria, CindiS, Maria, June, JudyS, SandyS, Marilyn, Susan, DianeN and guest, NancyL, Joan, SaraF, and JackieD participated all or some of the days TOWN’s occupation covered. Cindi is a resident of Rockport and gave us a number of tips for kayaking excursions and was the concierge for our seafood feasts Saturday.

What

We couldn’t have had better weather for our outdoor activities!  Five days of dry, cool temperatures and true blue skies!

We went kayaking Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, getting a taste of the local put-ins of St. Charles Bay.

Friday we put in at Big Tree and intended to paddle across “about one mile” to an island, but the wind and waves generated alternate plans, which were to paddle along the upwind shoreline and explore a ruined dock and lagoon. Then the wind brought us back.

Saturday, with all our paddlers assembled, we drove to Howard Murph Park across the big bridge, but the wind was again daunting. Then we drove to the State Park’s Bayfront Campsites (now day-use only due to hurricane damage), mucked thru the foul-smelling mud, and paddled into the wildlife viewing area.  As we kayaked into the breeze some of our group saw dolphins! Our return float was easier.

Saturday eve NancyL bought us a map of the Goose Island waterways and picked out our Sunday spot, an unmarked overpass of Highway 35 at Cavasos Creek, which let us slide into gentle waters and through the Aransas Wildlife Refuge.  We saw whooping cranes only from a distance since the tall marsh grasses hid the nearest views; we saw mud-lined banks with big ol’ claw track;, and Joan saw a mudbound slitherer alongside her kayak.  Later we spread out the detailed map and saw the little green alligators in each of the marsh channels we explored.  Best float ever!

In addition to paddling, we had bike rides, ate at a restaurant, had a shrimp boil (thanks to LisaM’s loan of a big boiling pot!), a meal a couple of us preceded with some delicious fresh raw oysters (thanks to Cindi for coordinating the seafood purchases purchases!).  Altogether a meal that we ate in several courses, with corn and potatoes and rum cake and salad.

On Monday morning Marilyn and Joan did some plant remediation as a thank-you to the Park; it was a job they couldn’t have paid us for—meaning that we worked for 2 hours and hardly made a dent in the overgrown sunflower patch.  I suspect it was make-work, and the ranger pretended to be grateful.   J

Highlights

Best of all, we got to know new member SaraF, and soon-to-be-member CindiS; we got to have roaring fires each night; we witnessed stars arrayed against moonless nights; and we fell out quietly by 10 pm without causing any mischief.

Lowlights

TOWNie JackieD had a bike accident, ordered some crutches, and hobbled around till she could head back early.  When she got to her doctor Monday an X-ray showed she had fractured her femur at her hip!  As of today (Tues., 12/4) she is at Seton Hospital on 38^th St. recovering from surgery and will be home later this week.  If you wish to send well wishes you can call or email her using your roster.

In spite of the fact Navarro Mills Lake is about 10 ft above flood stage (which resulted in some campsite cancellations), the ladies from East Texas TOWN and Austin TOWN gathered for a fun fall  weekend.

TeresaDeS, MelanieA, BeverlyT, SusanW, SharonR, JudyS, SuzanneH, JuneA, JudyD, and guest, MolleyP began gathering on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening we gathered around the campfire and Sharon made a barbecue stand run to get barbecue tacos which were delicious.  Friday was a rather cool day so we had a campfire at Sharon’s site all day.  The ladies walked, rode bikes, geocached, and Beverly kayaked.

Saturday, Beverly, Molley, June, and JudyD visited a nearby gun range for some instruction and pistol practice. That evening we had a potluck which was wonderful as always.  Later there was some star gazing and lightening watching as a storm approached. Melanie & JudyS rode out the storm in their tents during the night.

Molley now wants to join both TOWN groups she enjoyed the weekend so much.

Ask SusanW about the Black Widow Spider she found.  Just a reminder to look around before the pull out our chocks, jacks, etc.

Judy

In spite of the fact Navarro Mills Lake is about 10 ft above flood stage resulting in some campsite cancellations, the ladies from East Texas TOWN and Austin TOWN gathered for a fun fall  weekend.

Teresa D, Melanie A, Beverly T, Susan W, Sharon R, Judy S, Suzanne H, June A, Judy D, and guest, Molley Paschal began gathering on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening we gathered around the campfire and Sharon made a barbecue stand run to get barbecue tacos which were delicious. Friday was a rather cool day so we had a campfire at Sharon’s site all day.  The ladies walked, rode bikes, geocached, and Beverly kayaked.

Saturday, Beverly, Molley, June, and Judy D visited a nearby gun range for some instruction and pistol practice. That evening we had a potluck which was wonderful as always.  Later there was some star gazing and lightening watching and a storm approached. Melanie & Judy S rode out the storm in their tents during the night.

Molley now wants to join both TOWN groups she enjoyed the weekend so much.

Ask Susan Walters about the Black Widow Spider she found.  Just a reminder to look around before the pull out our chocks, jacks, etc.

Judy

Approximately 16 participants joined in the fun at Goliad.  Thursday brought Marilyn, Lisa, Eden and me to get the party started.  Friday brought Nancy, BarbaraD and guest Bill, Jacqueline (a former president of Houston TOWN), Kim and guest Daniel,  Sheila and Barry, Janis, Lisa M and our favorite bartender Gloria!  We sang along as Marilyn, Barbara and Bill serenaded us with guitars, banjos and amazingly talented voices! There was also ample dancing on the tiki bar mat:)

On Saturday the Flotilla as reported by Marilyn:

“About 12 of us took part in the Goliad Fall Flotilla. The waters of the San Antonio River looked swift, but maneuvering was easy. The take-out in the State park had washed away, so we were treated to a new take-out constructed in downtown Goliad at Ferry Landing. The Park in that area is clean and sparkling new, so we appreciate the contributions of the San Antonio River Association and  Canoe Trail Goliad in making such excellent improvements.

The float downriver was only 4 miles, an easy float from Hwy 59 to downtown. Due to recent rains the water level was still high but, as revealed by debris in the trees, was 15 feet lower than at its flood mark. The blue, blue skies and warm, gentle breezes made for a very quiet float:  Few birds and turtles were seen, though LindaB’s boat was T-boned by a snake. It wasn’t hurt, but we think Linda’s kayak levitated out of the river momentarily.

The strong arms of the volunteering men and women were welcome, steadying our kayaks as we stepped into them for launch and pulling the boats up the steep bank on new kayak slides at the take-out.”

While we floated, Lisa and Eden found their coveted green jays.  We finished Saturday with some bike riding and a great communal meal before our campfire visits.

On Sunday many of us toured the new to us El Camino Real Goliad Visitor Center built by the CCC in the 1930s.  It is a must see when next you are near there!

Three of us spent Sunday evening and Firebug Nancy kept us warm and smoky while we reminisced over the successful weekend.

I owe a huge thanks to all!!  What an amazing, talented and fun group !

Two of our members have new campers to show off, so come on out and join us next time!

Linda B

Great weather for Take a Hike Day.  Clear and cool.   13 Townies made it:  Anna E, Barbara S, Carol J, Carolyn H, Christine F, Gail P-C, Helen P, Jacque, Janice B, Kim W,Marilyn F, Marsha K, & Martha S.  Also 2 dogs:  Sheba & Lady Bird.

We met up at the parking lot, and after a brief stop at the bathrooms headed down the trail.  Some mud, but the trail was in good condition.  Made two stops to watch the waters of Onion Creek which was clear and flowing.  Went to the trails end at Perez Elementary.  We stopped for a brief water break, and watched a bird in a tree.  The consensus was it was a thrush.  Saw many happy dogs running and playing along the trail, and at the parking area.  Thank you everyone for making the hike such a success.

Janice B.

Due to the flooding and continued rain, the Rowing Dock was closed, so we did not kayak as planned on Wednesday, October 24. Instead six Town Austin women Linda F, Judy A, Diane N, Gloria W, Maria, and I met at Shady Grove for a bite to eat, refreshments and a good visit.

Maria drove in from Georgetown in the rain to meet up with us. It was a slow night at the Shady Grove and our waiter, who referred to himself as our “Dude” was very attentive to taking care of us. We toasted to another fun kayaking season. We appreciated that Diane N, could assist in leading several kayak dates.

The next kayaking season on Lady Bird Lake will be April 10, 2019.
Gail P-C

Trip Report  –   Guadalupe River State Park Campout
October 11-14, 2018

We had a lovely gang at the State Park: BeverlyT, JanetF, LindaB, JudyS, JennyF, JanB. SusanW,
GloriaB, SandyS., MarieW, JoanC, SandyO, MariaV, NancyL, MarilynF, and KayS all gathered for
all or part of the weekend.

The weather was sticky but bearable, with intermittent showers to cool us off; the ground was
wet, and we noted tiny bluebonnets sprouting. This park did not experience a rain bomb last
week, but nevertheless the River was brown.

JennyF and JanB led us on a short hike from our camp to the River and back. The cypress trees
are so old and so tenacious, some standing in the swollen waters of the River, that their over-21
-feet diameters were astounding. The marks on their bark from generations of climbers and
jumpers tell a sweet story.

Other trails being closed, we felt fortunate to participate in the scheduled guided hike at the
lovely Honey Creek State Natural Area. Our guide, Mary Lasher (I think) interpreted several
habitats to us on the multi-acre Rust Ranch. She showed us gamagrass–an ancestor of corn,
plant communities interdependent with fallen oaks, and rock fences around long-overgrown
pastures.

Honey Creek itself was running fast, streaming beneath lily pads and around rocks. The water
was clear and sparkling. The canyon carved by this year-round stream is marked with huge
cypress and oaks. The creek, our guide said, springs from a cave, and is currently threatened by
development. Here is an article on that threat: https://therivardreport.com/honey-creek-apristine-
hill-country-stream-could-soon-see-treated-sewage/

Our campfires were lively (as usual) and we all benefitted from the hard work of Gloria and
Susan: One coordinated delicious beverages and the other cooked the potatoes for the pot
luck. Everyone enjoyed the variety of potato toppings and the crispy skin.

Not to be outdone by the Saturday night dinner, LindaB and JanB and JennyF pulled together a
leftovers breakfast of fresh eggs and bacon with (guess: Potatoes).

Personally, I feel kinship with this park due to the miracle of a girl cat rescued by the hand of
our Judy and myself, the cooperation of a friendly and understanding superintendent (who did
us a special favor by opening Honey Creek Preserve to us), and re-learning to ride a bike.
Muchas gracias to KayS, JanetF, and NancyL for coaching and encouragement.

See you all at Goliad, and sooner.
M.