Our agenda is typically the following:  bring your brown-bag dinner or a snack; we gather at 6 pm & socialize; 6:30-7:00 greetings, introductions, business, outings reports and planning; 7- 8 speaker; 8 – 8:15 adjournment and cleanup.

Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month. The location is the Northwest Recreation Center at 2913 Northland Dr, 78757. Enter the front doors, look left, and you will see and hear us.

Join us June 27th for our monthly meeting. Visiting begins at 6 pm with our business meeting following at 6:30. Our speaker begins at 7.

Please join us as our speaker Elaine Davenport takes us on a walk through Westcave Preserve, which is located near Hamilton Pool in southwestern Travis County. The heart of this hidden gem, which was saved from destruction 40 years ago, is a shady emerald grotto cooled by a fern-lined waterfall.

Elaine’s presentation is based on her book, co-authored with S. Christopher Caran,  Discovering Westcave: The Natural & Human History of a Hill Country Nature Preserve. The book includes details about the Westcave area’s colorful history and characters. Elaine’s presentation will include some of the book’s gorgeous photographs, plus line drawings from famed Texas artist Nancy McGowan.  Westcave is recognized nationally and internationally as both an ecological jewel and an innovator in promoting nature awareness and outdoor experience.

Elaine Davenport is an award-winning writer, journalist and publisher who has lived and worked in South America and Europe as an investigative journalist. She was certified as a Texas Master Naturalist in 2011, and is the co-author of the book Discovering Westcave: The Natural & Human History of a Hill Country Nature Preserve, published by Texas A&M University Press.

The price of the book is a $25 which is a direct donation to Westcave Preserve.  Payment via cash, check or credit is accepted.  If you’d like to donate more, the difference between whatever you donate and $25 is considered tax deductible, and you will be given a receipt to that effect on the spot.

Come join us and bring a friend!

Time for kayaking!

Lifejackets/PFDs are mandatory for this outing!

We meet at the Rowing Dock on the s. shore of Lady Bird Lake, behind Zilker Park (www.rowingdock.com) between 5:30 and 6, planning to be on the water by 6 pm in the sleek new boats with great seats and working footpegs.  $15 (cash preferred) will rent your boat, paddle, and lifejacket as we head upstream toward Tom Miller Dam, or downstream to admire the skyline and downtown buildings.

If you are new to TOWN or haven’t been out with us in a while or have an afternoon open, you can’t find a better way to enjoy the heart of Austin than on a cool, leisurely paddle on Lady Bird Lake.  Two hours of scenery, sights, and enjoyable chatting to your fellow-TOWNies and their guests, followed by a social hour enjoyment on dry land at venues such as Shady Grove, Maudie’s, Rudy’s Barbecue . . . and the Four Seasons.  Not kidding, but not usual, either.

If you have your own boat, you can put in behind the Rowing Dock at no charge.  We will help you tote it from your car to the small dock.

Canceled –  Hike in Barton Creek

Leader: MarshaK

Distance:  4 -5 miles at a very brisk pace

Difficulty:  moderate to difficult

Meet at Marsha’s house before 7:30 am.  Group will finish before 9:30 as Marsha needs time to prep for church.

Water is required as well as good walking shoes.  Sticks are also helpful.

Dogs must be on leash.  Prepare to pick up your dog’s poop.  Furnish water for your dog.

Contact MarshaK via email by Saturday evening if you wish to walk with her.

Fourth of July Parade  –  Belton, TX

Outing Leader/RSVP:  BeverlyT

What:  Fourth of July Parade

When:  July 4th  –  8:30am

Where:  Belton, TX  –  RSVP to Bev for details and directions on where to meet/park

Who:  TOWNies (no pets)

Note from Beverly:

Come to Belton for one of America’s top rated small town 4th of July parade, celebrating it’ s 98th year!  The Brett Hendrix band will be performing at Festival on Nolan Creek in Yettie Polk Park after the parade. There is a shady walk/ bike trail from I 35 to University Mary Hardin Baylor about 5 miles round trip–along Nolan Creek.  We will decide according to interest or folks can venture out on their own.

People can go to Temple Lake Park to swim in Belton Lake or we could kayak below the dam, depending on interest  There are decent choices  of places for lunch nearby.

( It’s NOT Austin though!).  TOWNies only, no pets

Come early ( by 8:30am ) to park at my office where the parade will pass.  ( the roads will be blocked by 9:00 am or a bit before.

The parade starts at 10:00am.  I will have breakfast foods

RSVP is a must!

CHANGE – we will walk about 4+ miles instead of the 6 miles.  We will avoid the more difficult ascent in the sunny area.

Wednesday Walk, July 5^th , River Place Nature Trail,  8:30 am

Outing Leader/RSVP:   Jacque

WHAT:  Hike the Canyon Trail from one end to the other and back at River Place Nature Trail.

WHERE:  Big View at large fountain is where the trail begins – see below for directions

WHEN:  Wednesday, July 5^th at 8:30 am

WHO:  Everyone is welcome including well behaved dogs on leash.  We usually keep the dogs on leash until we enter the trail area, then allow them off leash.

DISTANCE:  about 6 miles

DIFFICULTY:  This is a 6 mile round-trip route that will likely be wet/damp/moldy.  Really sounds inviting doesn’t it!  Moderate to difficult –  Trail surface is composed of hard pack and rock. Some stairs with elevation gains and drops. Be prepared for a good leg workout.

TIME:  Approximately 3+ hours

COST:  Free.

HOW TO REACH TRAILHEAD:  From Austin, go west on 2222 past loop 360. Continue on 2222. Turn left onto River Place Blvd.  There is a light at this intersection.

Continue on River Place Blvd. until it Ts into Big View.

Turn Right.

Drive about 1.8 miles and park on the right side of the road near a pond with an large fountain.

Note – Restroom facilities are across the road at the tennis counts.

WHERE TO PARK:  You have two choices.

1. Park on the road by the large fountain.
2. Or drive past the large fountain and turn left almost immediately into the tennis court area.  Parking and restrooms are located there.  That’s where I will park.

BRING:  Snack, water (enough for your dog too), poop bags for your dog, walking sticks, any other personal items you may want or need.

WEAR:  Good quality hiking or tennis shoes, hat, sunscreen, appropriate clothing for weather.

RSVP:  By 6 pm, Monday, July 3^rd

For questions or to RSVP, email Jacque.

Canceled – Hike in Barton Creek

Leader: MarshaK

Distance:  4 -5 miles at a very brisk pace

Difficulty:  moderate to difficult

Meet at Marsha’s house before 7:30 am.  Group will finish before 9:30 as Marsha needs time to prep for church.

Water is required as well as good walking shoes.  Sticks are also helpful.

Dogs must be on leash.  Prepare to pick up your dog’s poop.  Furnish water for your dog.

Contact MarshaK via email by Saturday evening if you wish to walk with her.

Wednesday Walk

Wednesday, July 12^th  –  8:30 am

Turkey Creek Trail

Join me for a hike that crosses creeks and is mostly in the shade.

Outing Leader/RSVP:  Jacque    by Tuesday July 11^th please

When: Wednesday, July 12^th at 8:30 am

Where: Turkey Creek Trail            http://www.texashiking.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1611            If you reach the entrance to the campground and see a kiosk, you have gone too far

1600 City Park Road, Austin, TX 78730

Getting There: From central Austin, take FM 2222 west, past Loop 360. Turn left onto City Park Road and continue south to the Emma Long Park entrance sign. The parking area for the trail is two miles from the park entrance sign, on the right hand side of the road. The parking is right after a sharp turn in the road, so be prepared when you cross Turkey Creek to turn off the road.

Shoes:  Hiking shoes/boots, tennis shoes; no sandals or flip-flops.  Your feet may or may not get wet.

Canines:  Definitely welcome, prepare to pick up poop.

Distance: 2.7 miles with no restroom facilities or water source. There are some inclines and loose rocks.  Sometimes we go exploring on new trails.

Bring:, water,  sunscreen, snacks, poles for crossing the creek, etc. Friends and spouses are invited.

Thanks!  Jacque

Time for kayaking!

Lifejackets/PFDs are mandatory for this outing!

We meet at the Rowing Dock on the s. shore of Lady Bird Lake, behind Zilker Park (www.rowingdock.com) between 5:30 and 6, planning to be on the water by 6 pm in the sleek new boats with great seats and working footpegs.  $15 (cash preferred) will rent your boat, paddle, and lifejacket as we head upstream toward Tom Miller Dam, or downstream to admire the skyline and downtown buildings.

If you are new to TOWN or haven’t been out with us in a while or have an afternoon open, you can’t find a better way to enjoy the heart of Austin than on a cool, leisurely paddle on Lady Bird Lake.  Two hours of scenery, sights, and enjoyable chatting to your fellow-TOWNies and their guests, followed by a social hour enjoyment on dry land at venues such as Shady Grove, Maudie’s, Rudy’s Barbecue . . . and the Four Seasons.  Not kidding, but not usual, either.

If you have your own boat, you can put in behind the Rowing Dock at no charge.  We will help you tote it from your car to the small dock.

A Day and Evening at the Springs

Friday, July 14 (Rain date: July 21)

Barton Springs Pool, Picnic, and The Wizard of Oz at Zilker Hillside Theater

Outing Leader/RSVP:  MarilynF

Who TOWNies and partners, friends, children, husbands, etc.

What Swim, soak, snack, soak, swim, and watch the Wizard of Oz stage show

Where Meet in the Main Parking Lot of Barton Springs Pool, Robert E. Lee Blvd., 78704,

When  10 AM-10 PM, roughly (the Hillside Theater play starts at 8:15 pm)

Bring Towel, swimsuit, blanket to sit on, or short-legged folding chair/beach chair, ice chest to leave in car, lunch money, sunscreen, sun hat, sandals, float, mask/snorkel, maybe a light sweater (haha), snacks or sandwiches or snack bar dinner, money, water or soft drink for evening. Change of clothes, if desired.

Please also bring your pool admission: See the fees here, https://austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool

There is no fee for parking until Friday evening.

The Zilker Hillside Theater is always crowded, and we may have to take turns holding some space and dunking in the water.

Do not bring Glass containers or pets, and do not bring food into the swimming pool area. There is no smoking anywhere in  the Park

Please read the Park and Theater rules:

https://austintexas.gov/page/attending-outdoor-theater

Once we are together, we’ll have some choices:

• take a peek at the Eliza Spring “daylighting” project, an effort to increase the quality of Barton Springs Salamander habitat in nearby Eliza Springs by opening up to sunlight the channel through which Eliza Spring water enters the pool.
• We also can go through the “Splash into Barton Springs” exhibit in the 1930’s era bathhouse.

Then we’ll go into the pool at the main gate and probably walk around to the lovely south side of the Pool, where there is lots of shade. The native plantings, ligustrum removal, and gorgeous stone walkway and reflective area is also on the South. We will have a good vantage point for the best people-viewing in the city. Or we can stay on the North shore.

The snack bar on the North side of the Pool has hot dogs, sodas, great lemonade, and a patio area for eating.

We will start setting up our blankets at the Theater around 6pm, taking turns going back to splash in the water for cooling.

The Zilker Hillside Theater is another “happening” place, though it can be hard to manage going to a show due to limited space and parking, not to mention the heat. By being in the Park early and frequently dipping in the cold water, we can overcome those issues.

Please DO carpool, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for a relaxing day in the best spot in town.

Parks Department to host Expedition: Find Bigfoot Event

Saturday, July 15  –  7pm

Outing Leader/RSVP:  Sandy Ostiguy  –    –  512-796-2172

What:  Round Rock Parks dept. Bigfoot event

Where:  Dell Diamond, Round Rock, TX

When:  Saturday, July 15th  7pm – 11pm

Sounds like it could be fun and the first 400 get an event T-Shirt !

Special walking tours/hikes available.

Could meet early to eat dinner then check out the event.

Designed to get folks out and about on the Round Rock trails, etc.

All in good fun !!!!