The details of the events are posted on Meetup. If you would like to join an event as a non-member, please contact us to RSVP and get details.
Our monthly meetings are every 4th Tuesday of every month. Anyone is welcome to attend. We offer both in person and Zoom options based on the current health advisories.
We welcome speakers on various outdoor related topics at every monthly meeting. If you have expertise on a topic or know of someone who does, please contact us.
What/Where: Annual Campout, Inks Lake SP, https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake
When: Thursday Oct 19th – Sunday October 22, 2023
Who: TOWN Members, guests
RSVP: Meetup
Leader: Marie W.
Reservations: 5-month window begins May 19th
Arrival Date/Time: Thursday, Oct 19th/2pm
Depart Date/Time: Sunday, Oct 22nd/12pm
Activities:
A favorite TOWN destination enjoy: kayaking, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, birding and hanging out.
Join us for our TOWN Austin Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will meet at the Northwest Recreation Center or you can join us via ZOOM.
Watch for the email with instructions for jumping on ZOOM. You will need a computer or phone with video and audio.
Our speaker is our member Chandra Gajjar will bring us a look at South Africa, her home. This presentation will showcase a selection of the diverse flora and fauna that South Africa is renowned for. The country’s exceptional biodiversity is enriched by its unique geographical location, where the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Antarctic Ocean converge along its coastlines. The country houses approximately 25,000 plant species, many of which are endemic. The Cape Floristic Region in the southwest is a global biodiversity hotspot, featuring fynbos vegetation known for its unique proteas, ericas, and restios. The Karoo is dominated by hardy succulents. The eastern coastal regions host lush coastal forests, while savannas and grasslands cover much of the interior.
The country’s wildlife is equally impressive, with a rich tapestry of species adapted to various ecosystems. South Africa is famous for the “Big Five” game animals: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, and buffalo, which can be found in various national parks and private reserves. South Africa also boasts a remarkable bird diversity with over 800 species, including the iconic African penguin, secretary bird, and numerous raptors.
JOIN US!
More details soon!
Hope you can join us!
Meeting agenda:
- 6:00 — Check in and hellos
- 6:30 — Business meeting
- 7:00 — Speaker
- Join us and invite a friend to login!
- 8:15 —Sign off till next time
What: Celebrate TOWN
Where: Brushy Creek Lake Park, the Cypress Pavilion
Leader:JacqueA
When: October 29, 2023
Time: 9 am – 2 pm
Details: The outing will include a hike and lunch. Details will be shared as the date approaches.
Big Thanks: We have Koby F. to thank for contacting Cedar Park Parks and Recreation and making our reservation! Yea Koby!!
What: Austin TOWN Campout with East Texas TOWN members
When: Thursday, November 2nd to Sunday, November 5th 2023
Who: Open to Austin TOWN and East Texas TOWN members, guests and fur babies
RSVP: Meetup
Reservations: 5 month window begins June 2, 2023 – mark that date
Activities: Hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, birding, eating and enjoying the Fall foliage.
I am really excited to make a plan for Tyler State Park! The pictures of the Fall foliage last year were fabulous and I look forward to seeing it in person. We are excited to invite our East Texas TOWN friends to join us around this beautiful area!
What: TOWN Scavenger Hunt
When: November 11, Saturday. 9am to 1pm
Where: Spring Lake Trailhead on Lime Kiln Road (see directions below)
Hosts: Marsha K. and Effie K., and guest Expedition Leader, aka, Marsha’s boyfriend, Bill.
RSVP: Meetup. Limited to 20 TOWNIES
Need: looking for volunteers to serve as team organizers.
Details:
A Scavenger Hunt at Spring Lake Trailhead on Lime Kiln Road. The hunters will divide into teams and each team, of 2-5 TOWNIES, will decide which trails to take to look for such items as deer, cardinals, cactus’ tunas, etc. Each team will decide what trails to take so the distance will vary. If some TOWNIES cannot hike, then team(s) can stay at Trailhead to see what can be seen from their own comfortable chairs!
There will NOT be a “leader” for each team so even in and out hikes will be great. Each team must be back within 2 hours or be disqualified. No lost TOWNIES allowed!
You must feel comfortable hiking without a “leader” but TOWNIES will be available by phone.
The winning team will have a bag of outdoor and fun goodies to divide but each participant will receive a flashlight to help ward off winter’s darkness, or keep in your car.
Afterwards, we can have potluck at Trailhead.
Bring: Water, chairs, binocular, poles, reading glasses if needed to read the maps, potluck meal to share afterwards and an eagerness to be Scavenger Hunters. If someone has card table or portable table and could bring it, that would be great.
Terrain is not as rocky as Greenbelt. Distance is what you and team decide.
Dogs are allowed on leash but I saw many that were
Directions and Google Map: Spring Lake Trailhead, Lime Kiln Road
(Take I-35 south to San Marcos. Exit 206 if coming from north, approximately 0.6 miles on access road and turn west/ right on Uhland Road, travel approximately 0.6 miles and turn south/left on Post Road at the intersection at the light, travel approximately 0.2 miles and turn west/right on Lime Kiln Road, unmarked but next to Valero Station, and then Trailhead will be 0.5 on left).
Carpool due to limited parking.
What: Thanksgiving week and dinner staying at the Sauceda Bunkhouse.
RSVP: Meetup
Who: TOWNies, Family, Friends
Details for immediate action: Marilyn has reserved a bunk in Room 1 of the Sauceda Bunkhouse. The rooms are $35.00 per night. The reservation window just opened and will fill up in the next few days. There are 25 beds on the women’s side and 25 on the Mens’s side.
Details for Thanksgiving Dinner: Marilyn will bring the turkey and roast it there. There is a large commercial kitchen for use.
Details about the park: Activities include mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, reading, snoozing, star gazing, rocking in big chairs on the porch. The bunkhouse has a huge outdoor fireplace and the dining hall has a huge fireplace. The digs are rustic but lovely in an historic Texas fashion
Frequently asked questions:
1. The bunkhouse beds are comfortable and are not stacked. Women and men are on separate wings of the bunkhouse. Everybody shares the kitchen.
2. If you are bringing your camper to the Big Bend (I will have mine), you can leave it at a secure place outside the State Park. You do not want to drive your camper into The Ranch, the roads are very rough. (You don’t need 4WD, though.)
Let me know if/when you have made a reservation! Here’s how:
Call TxPWD Reservations, 512-389-8900 and ask for reservations for Sauceda Bunkhouse in Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Some women’s’ rooms have 2 and some 3 beds. There are lots of restrictions (smoking, pets) and lots of requirements (bring your own bedding, firewood). Please read about these and other details on the BBRSP web at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-bend-ranch/fees-facilities/lodging/bunkhouse.
Join us for our TOWN Austin Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, November 28, 2022 at 6:00 pm. We will meet at the Northwest Recreation Center or you can join us via ZOOM.
Watch for the email with instructions for jumping on ZOOM. You will need a computer or phone with video and audio.
We will conduct our nominations and elections.
More details to come.
What: Austin TOWN Day Outing
When: Saturday, December 16, 10:00- 3:00
Where: Lockhart State Park
Who: Open to Austin TOWNies, guests and fur babies
RSVP: Meetup
Reservations: Day Pass will be needed, you can reserve one now.
Activities: Hiking, Bring a sack lunch, Taffy Pull
Learn how to make a sweet holiday treat!
Join us as we get our hands messy and learn how to make Taffy. Eat it as soon as it cools down or give it away to a loved one. All ages welcome!
Prepare: Wear weather-appropriate clothes. No registration required.
Meet: Meet at our Park Headquarters building. Program will take place at picnic tables behind Park HQ.
Fees: Class is free with paid entry to the park. Regular park entrance fees are $3/adult, free for children 12 & under.
See the Holiday Lights at 37th Street Neighborhood
Date: Sunday, Dec. 17
Meeting location: Outside patio, Central Market at 4001 N. Lamar, Austin
Time to meet: (please allow extra time to find a parking place as I have heard the parking lot stays full)
If you wish to meet for dinner and hear live music, meet at 5:15pm with your food ordered or purchased
If you only want to come for the lights tour, meet at 6:15pm (also meeting at Central Market patio)
Who is invited – TOWN members, their family or friends, including Fur babies (please confirm with store that pets are allowed on patio if you plan to bring yours)
Cost – whatever you purchase at Central Market, but holiday lights tour is free
Host – DawnG
RSVP: Meetup
Details: It is a 12-minute walk from Central Market to the focal point of the neighborhood. We will walk around the neighborhood on various streets until we have our fill. You are welcome to walk back to starting point before we are done, but I do ask you to have a pre-determined walking partner go back with you for safety purposes.
Background – (from a local media source): Austin’s weird neighborhood lights display since the 1980’s is back again to take y’all to the old Austin DIY spirit.
We’ve got some major neighbors leaving the street, so we don’t know if we can continue the tradition in the future. What we do know, is this year we are going out with a BANG!
The lights will be on every night from sunset to 10pm from December 8th until New Years. Some houses will keep their lights on later than 10, and later than new years.