Category: Uncategorized (Page 12 of 46)

Hello all,  The six TOWNies completing the 4.3 mile scenic hike this Sunday morning were Marsha, Carolyn, Kim, Jody, Leigh and Effie.   We were a bit nervous at first having to set out on this hike with absolutely no canine protection, but fortunately no dangers were encountered except for the slightly slippery rocks.  Overall, it was a pleasant warm and balmy morning.  We enjoyed talking about books, family, pets, home improvement projects, cars, teeth and the very scary world affairs.

Until next time… Happy Trails, Effie

What an enjoyable trip to Choke Canyon SP!  Eighteen women gathered to camp, hike, bird, geocache, laugh, eat, and gather ‘round the campfire.  Those attending were:  BevT (with Chico), CarolJ (with Jellybean), ChristineF, CindyS, DonnaDeG, EolaL, FloM, GloriaB, JackieD, Jacque, JacquelineW (guest from Houston), JaymeT (guest from San Antonio), JanetFB (with Bruce, Gillian, & Barney), MaryVE (with Rosie), NancyL, SheliaF, SusanW, and TammyM.  After another camping stop, a number of these women were heading to Big Bend for camping with MarilynF, SandyS, and LindaBW.  KarenK was staying in the lodge there too.

Some of us birded each day as the 75 Acre Lake and others birded the bird blind which was quite busy.  Several members did some sketching. We also hiked each day perhaps as much as 5-6 miles.  Friday, five of us drove into Three Rivers for a Tex-Mex lunch.  Friday and Saturday evenings, TammyM built really fine campfires at her site for all of us to enjoy and stay warm.  She specializes in ranch firewood, quite hot.  Saturday evening SheliaF brought a game called Smart Ass that generated lots of laughter.

The camping sites and shelters were full most of the time.  For those of you who have not been to Choke Canyon before, it is located southeast of San Antonio and about a 2.5 – 3-hour drive from Austin  The sites were in good shape.  Lots of folks there to fish.  We had a fun time catching up and visiting.  For March, we’re heading to Caddo Lake SP and Palmetto SP.  Hope to see you camping!  Jacque

Hi all, It was a very pleasant hike today for 6 TOWNIES,  Debbie,  Carolyn,  Jenny,  Jody, Janice and Marsha,  who hiked either 4.2 miles or 0.0 miles.  We are hoping that after almost 2 hours we went a little farther than 0.0 miles, but that is what my tracker indicated.  I am sure that we saw the creek flowing well, thickening of some trees with buds forming and grassy plains.  At least it looked different than if we just stood in my driveway.  Anyway,  we agreed that it probably was 4.2 miles.  The weather was perfect as the  sunny skies battled with the clouds to be ruler for the day.  No wind but the temperature was nice as we briskly kept the pace.  We all were rewarded with avocados when we returned,  a bounty given to us by my neighbor.

Until next time…. Happy Trails, Marsha

Hi All,   We had a small group of TOWNIES today,  Kim, Jacque, Lisa, Jody and Marsha,  who were guarded by the Canine Protection Team of Junko and Sheba.  The morning started cold at 28⁰,  but finished up very comfortable, and perhaps slightly warm, as several hikers began to shed clothing as the hike warmed under the gentle sun, determined to remind us that Spring will be coming.  Not only did we return with the same number of hikers,  but we also returned with the same amount of clothing, although in disarray.  Not to be spurned, the Frost Weed cheerfully displayed ribbons and curls of the frozen sap.  It was a display that was racing against the sun but both were winners today.

Until next time… Happy Trails,  Marsha

Hi All,   We had 5 Olympic quality hikers today, Jody, Leigh, Carolyn, Kim and Marsha, who finished the snow dusted hike of 4.95 miles in 2 hours, an Olympic record for the course.  Jody was tempted to bail on the hike, but was reminded that America needed her in this event to capture the elusive gold.  We did all have gold as Carolyn brought homemade chocolate chip cookies that were not only delicious but worth more than gold.  The ground was crunchy as the grass and soil were still frozen.  It was not slippery but definitely a symphony of notes were presented as each step resulted in musical notes with the crunch.  The crunch may have been perfect for this team’s national anthem.

Until next time….. Happy Trails,  Marsha

We were quite fortunate to be hiking this morning instead of this afternoon.  Hiking today were:  Jacque with Birthday Girl Sheba, JanetFB with new comer Gilly, JulieanneA with energetic Sunny and six-week old Pugsley, and KathleenC with prancing Baby and water lover Mamie.  Our hike ran 3.1 miles in 105 minutes.  We stopped a lot today.

A bit more introduction to Pugsley:  he is adopted; his mom and dad are Morticia and Gomez Adams; and his sib who failed to make it was Fester.  Pugsley rode primarily on Julieanne’s back in a really cool dog pack where he sat and watched us; he hiked briefly.

So what did we discuss today:  well, what does the nest for Tawny Crazy Ants look like, we were unable to find one, but next week we will know more; various Texas State Parks – Guadalupe River, Huaco Tanks, Devil’s River, Cleburne, and Brownwood; heading to Utah in July for eight weeks of RV camping with 4 dogs; Government Canyon State Nature Area for hiking; bicycling and riding the MS 150; wet, soggy, ultra-muddy shoes and how much do they weigh; upcoming freezing weather and possible damage to the ferns and other growth along Turkey Creek; a variety of animal shelters in Austin:  Austin Pets Alive, Austin Animal Center, and the old TOWN Lake Animal Center and their reputations; cloning your dog for $50K and your cat for $35K and would it be worth it; National Parks versus our Texas State Parks – which do we prefer; dog rescue groups and what do they accomplish; pros and cons of taking dogs camping; the revamped Turkey Creek parking lot; and hiking the Grand Canyon either rim to rim or down and back up to the rim, staying at Phantom Ranch and how good the food it, not falling backward off the hiking trail – which does happen, avoiding the mules carrying visitors down or up, and the California Condors.

Come join us next week.  Such fun getting to know each other and our dogs!  Wednesday, Feb. 9^th at 8:30 am.  Jacque

What a fun hike today!  Four TOWNies and four pups:  Jacque with Sheba, KathleenC with Baby & Mamie, KimW, and MaryVE with Rosie.  It was chilly and overcast as we started, but sunny and a bit warmer as we finished.  We walked 3.2 miles in 90 minutes and talked non-stop or almost!  MaryVE decided the dogs are walking/running close to 10 miles.  Topics discussed included:  traveling to Gulf Shores, Alpine, Marathon, Big Bend, and Cleburne – we stayed closer to home today; our monthly meeting last night and how to manage camping for four months; how many dogs and cats a person should have; what to do with shirts and shoes too large to wear; why Marathon is so attractive and where people stay; why some young folks can climb trees and are so agile; why pet sitters make such a difference when we travel; how to begin keeping bees and how bees can be removed from between walls.  Pretty exciting stuff huh!  I look forward to the Wednesday, Turkey Creek Hike every week and hiking with these TOWNies!  Come join us!  Jacque

Hi all,  We had a dazzle of TOWNIES today, Kim, Jacque, Carolyn, Jenny, guest Barbara, Janice, Leigh, Debbie, Lisa, Jody and Marsha, along with the full contingent of the Canine Protection Team, Sheba, Patchy and Junko.  We started the day with a little bit of shopping as my neighborhood has bulk pickup and the most amazing things were gathered and coveted and then secreted away in cars for later use.  It set the tone for the hike as we traveled 4.43 miles with a quick pace.  The dazzle was spread out at times, but we came back with 11 hikers, the same number we started the hike.  Not sure if they are the same hikers or not but the numbers were the same.  Since the group was larger than normal, we had little chance to catch up with all, but did mange to take a break or two and be able to touch base.  I think the consensus was that the gloomy weather today also contributes to feelings of gloominess and that our shopping spree offered some gleam of sunny days ahead.  The creek was low today and often without any moving stream, but the promise of rain this week will offer some nourishment for the land and refill the creek.  That rain is so needed, it is agreed that our few days of gloominess can be tolerated as it also brings the hope of water.  Patchy continued to have the zoomies, but then recruited the other two canine friends to join and offer comic relief with the zoomies.

Until next time…. Happy Trails, Marsha

Hi all,

We had 6 courageous TOWNIES,  Effie, Janice,  Kim, Lisa, Carolyn and Marsha,  who started our hike today in brisk 35⁰ weather, only to have our concerns about the cold vanish as the sun warmed the earth and the TOWNIES.  Junko was back from her vacation and provided Canine Team Protection.  We hiked a very circuitous path today, as we danced in and out of the woods. Janice was tormented by branches that were determined to snag her knit hat off her head and toss it gaily in the air. Fortunately,  the hat was always safely returned to the rightful owner.   We met a frantic dog mother whose dog, Gigi, ran off from her, leash trailing behind. The TOWNIES all looked, but could not find her, but heard delightful sounds in the woods, birds singing and critters snorting, when we stopped to listen for any Gigi cries.  Fortunately,  Gigi was rescued and we left the trails after a 4.5 mile hike, jubilant that Gigi was home.

Until next time…. Happy Trails,  Marsha

Well TOWNies, we had such an enjoyable hike today – no rain, talking, laughing, crossing the creek without falling, and laughing and talking some more.  Five of us met at 8:30 in 42 degree temp:  AnnaE, Jacque (& Sheba), new member JenniferM who climbed a huge boulder, KimW, and MaryVEck (with Rosie).  Conversation topics ranged from:  Rosie & Sheba just taking off running, leaving us behind, then returning for treats; the first creek crossing in such cold water; clean hiking shoes; the Ghost Wolves of Galveston Island – a strange population of canids that carry the DNA for red wolves; possible traveling destinations – Ireland, Africa – Botswana & Zambia, Madagasgar, Gulf Shores, Israel, Cuba, and Puerto Rico; anniversaries, holidays – who visited, how many developed Covid, what we ate, where to get a Covid test ; the Holiday Party at McKinney Falls SP – who attended, how cold it was, what we ate, and the dining hall; boulder climbing; our favorite tree and dog treats; assisted living and nursing home locations; new podcast – You’re Wrong About – which reconsiders an event, person or phenomenon that’s been miscast in the public imagination – I plan to check this; Marathon & Big Bend; grandchildren, mothers-in-law, children – challenges & issues;  yes, lots of topics.

The next hike will be Wednesday, January 19th at 8:30 am.  Please RSVP by 5 pm Tuesday.  Thanks!  Jacque