Category: Uncategorized (Page 20 of 46)

Kayaking Cypress Creek/Lake Travis

We had a great time kayaking Saturday at Cypress Creek/Lake Travis!
Flo, Gloria, Kim, Linda B., Marie and Maria joined me for a refreshing paddle even through a stray shower.  We had fun watching the kids at the new Waterloo Adventures.
Flo brought back Big Boy and fell in the drink trying to tow him.  I’m sure there will be photos.  We had lots of laughs over that.  One fell out trying to stretch or maybe just wanting to get wet.  Christine’s new kayak didn’t arrive yet so we’ll have to do another paddle soon.

Until next time,
June

Hey TOWNies!

So CindyS and I met at Mills Pond.  Since we had not previously met, we visited awhile and then headed to different areas of the park. She was more interested in sketching and I headed to the bird blind.

During my time I spotted:  Great Blue Herons (2), Yellow-crowned Night Herons (2), Cooper’s Hawk, Blue Jays, and a Gray Catbird.  I did not spot the several varieties I was hoping to see, but oh well.

Cindy’s thoughts and description of her activity:  “I’m so glad she posted this. I didn’t know about Mills Pond park. It’s a little gem. I could keep entertained sketching there for days. All the people out with their binoculars and cameras looking for birds was fun too.  I saw a big hawk and a yellow crowned night heron. One birder told me that it was the best place in Austin to see warblers.

The park was large enough for people to keep their safe social distance and most people had mask on or available.

I’m not sure how far the trails go, but I would love to find out. I’m planning on taking my 95 year old dad so he can go fishing.”

Jacque

Friday, 5/1/20, MaryVE and I met at Mary Moore Searight Park for Geocaching 101.  We sat for a bit and discussed geocaching since this was Mary’s first time.  We talked about:  types of caches, the geocaching app and website, sizes of caches, who hides caches, the difficulties and terrains, what the cache owner can designate, and basic versus premium caches.

We both had our own pen and had masks available.  We  successfully found two caches after doing some bushwacking to reach them.   We both agreed to go caching again.

Jacque

Three socially distanced TOWNies SandyS, CindyS, and LisaMcM drove out to Spring Branch, TX to enjoy some beautiful nature at Guadalupe River State Park.

It was a bit of a drive for a hike, but an absolutely gorgeous dose of nature.  The weather was so perfect.  It was cool, but warm and sunny.   We mainly walked around the beautiful river.  The walk was so pretty with cliffs, rapids and beautiful old trees.

We enjoyed lunches that we packed under a shade tree and Sandy headed back home.

After lunch Cindy took her sketch book down to the waterside and created a beautifully color design of the river and trees.  Since the water was too cold for a swim, Lisa took this opportunity to relax in the cool breeze for a little snooze.  Quite nice!

We headed home after that.  Lisa took the 281 to 1431 route home for a most beautiful hill country drive.

That was a great way to do a Monday!  Thank you ladies for joining me.

Cindy recently retired from Texas Parks & Wildlife.  We were talking about how quickly the day passes sold out and the number of people in the park and cars in the parking lot.  She said they must have the numbers down.  This made sense as even though the passes were sold out, the park wasn’t crowded.

Hope they are able to open up for camping soon and we can see each other and camp again soon.

Until then, everyone stay safe & healthy.

LisaMcM

Saturday CarolynD, Jacque, LindaBW, GailPC, MarieW, SheilaMcC, and JuneA, joined JoanB and me for a TOWN ZOOM visit.  It was the first TOWN ZOOM for GailPC and SheilaMcC, so we were happy to hear how they were doing.  Gail and hubby Thomas are mostly staying at their place near Dripping Springs.  They have started a tradition of going outside and howling with their neighbors at 8 PM.  Gail said it has been a fun way to connect each day.  Sheila is continuing to work and enjoyed our visit while sitting outside watching her hummingbirds.  We caught up on what folks have been cooking (bread, peanut butter cookies, etc.), but Marie has to get the weekly culinary prize for making loquat jam.  Pitting the loquats is a labor of love.  Recommendations for TV shows included Schitt’s Creek and Unorthodox, both on Netflix.  Linda and Tom are looking forward to kayaking this week, and Joan and I got some highly prized day passes to Ink’s Lake.  Hope you are safely getting out to soak up some sunshine and fresh air also!

This week’s pictionary category was a movie and SheilaMcC correctly guessed “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”   Marie won the bingo game and sits atop the TOWN Bingo Leaderboard (MarieW – 2, LindaBW – 1, JamieE – 1).   Finally, MarieW shared her Zentangle “Renewal.”  I was unfamiliar with Zentangle, so I looked it up and learned that it is a method to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.  Her drawing starts with a virus, mask, and broken hearts and evolves into faith, regrowth, sunshine and and full hearts.  It is very inspirational and we greatly appreciated her gift of sharing this message of hope.

Perhaps you can join us for the next TOWN ZOOM.  Until then, stay safe and stay strong.

Remember you are a TOWN member, so you are never alone!

LisaS

Yesterday Marilyn F., June A., Carolyn D., Jacque, Judy D., Linda B., Judie T., Jami E., Lisa McM, Sandy B., and Carol J. joined Joan B. and me for a TOWN zoom visit.  Four of the visitors participated in the first TOWN zoom.  We figured out some differences between using a computer or an iPad to meet.  There weren’t too many technical difficulties, but we got bumped off after 30 minutes because we only had the free version of zoom.  We have upgraded our membership with Zoom and the length of future meetings will be unlimited.  We visited a bit and then a couple of people said goodbye.  The rest of us played a bingo game and Jami E. won the virtual prize (a highly coveted roll of Charmin 2-ply tissue.)  I used the white board feature to display a drawing so others could guess my drawing (camping).  The category was an activity and the drawing was a tent and a fire.  To play pictionary, the person who guessed correctly would then have to draw on her own white board.  Just another option to pass the time.

During our visit, I forgot to mention an uplifting experience over the past few weeks.  We have a nest in a bush right outside the dining room window.  We watched a pair of cardinals build a lovely nest and tend to eggs and hatchlings.  They quickly became nestlings (when they are 4-13 days old) and are now fledglings (14 days and older.)  Seeing them every day has been such a source of joy and hope at this time.  I hope that you are looking for the beauty and wonder that is around you.

I hope everyone is doing well.  As I reminded the TOWN ZOOMers, you have 100+ sisters if you need anything!  You are not alone.

The next TOWNstrong zoom will SATURDAY, APRIL 25th at 4:00 PM.  Hope you can join us.

Stay home, stay safe, and stay strong!

Looking forward to the day we can be outside for a TOWN outing.

LisaS

CarrieL, JacqueA, MarieW, JuneA, JudyD, and LindaBW joined Joan and me for a virtual happy hour, visit and bingo games on Zoom.  We had special guest appearances from Toby, Mary, Dolly, Bear, and Junko.  Unfortunately, Linda B’s video portion was not working, so we didn’t actually get to see her sweet smiling face, but we could hear her.  We spent some time learning more about the site, but it mostly worked out well.

We played a couple of bingo games. Linda BW won the the first game and Marie won the second.  At a future date, they can collect their prize – a HIGHLY coveted roll of two-ply tissue.  Of course, by the time we can give them their prize, it probably will not be all that valuable.  Judy gets the award for having the most stylish face masks, an assortment provided by her granddaughter.  The only TOWN member who could perhaps rival her collection may be SharonR as she is always put together.

It wasn’t as much fun as an actual outing with dear friends, but it is such a strange time.  It was good to see familiar faces and hear the laughter.  We will schedule another virtual visit soon.  Perhaps you will join us.

Stay home, stay safe, and stay strong!

Looking forward to seeing you outside,

LisaS & JoanB

Hi all,

We are somehow making it through this Corona virus pandemic. We are all strong women and certainly can team together to be even a stronger force. It is such a beautiful time of year, but it is easily forgotten during these frightening times.

I would like to continue the Sunday hikes as I  believe being outside grounds us, as well as offers us a chance to connect with nature and each other.  In lieu of the present health concerns, I would like to have all hikers RSVP, by either the Yahoo group or the meet up link.  I would like to be able to limit the group to 8 at the most.  I hiked with friends yesterday and we were able to space 6′ apart . I would like the TOWN hikes to be one of pleasure and enjoyment, but at this point there are going to have to be some restrictions.  I think if we consider spacing 8′ apart we will be safer.  If any of us coughs or sneezes, we will be in the outdoors, perhaps with windy conditions, and those 2 extra feet can perhaps save someone from getting ill.

I know that this places a burden on people that is, to reserve a spot as well as consider the 8′ distance.  If there are really more that would like to attend the Sunday hikes, then I will look at the group and divide us into 2 groups and ask someone else to lead one of the groups in a different direction.  As we want to have limited contact I will also be choosing flatter routes where there would be less likelihood of needing a hand up to help get over a ledge.

I know having flatter hikes at this point will cause great sadness for many of the hike!

I am hoping that next year this time we will be able to look back at this period in our lives and know that we not only survived, but perhaps thrived with the development of new coping skills and friendships.

Until next time…

Happy Trails,  Marsha

Hello TOWNies,

How does one fully describe the fun we had at Brazos Bend State Park?  Arrival times for TOWNies started on Wednesday, the 4^th.   And, departures ended on Monday, the 9^th.  We had a group of 21 folks (15 TOWNies and 6 guests) that attended this outing.  Those folks were: ChristineF, JacqueA, KimF, MarilynF, AndreaS, JudyD and hubby Mike, SharonR and hubby Billy, LindaBW and hubby Tom, BeverlyT and granddaughter Emily, TracyP, SusanW and mom Eola, JackieD, JanetF-B, MollyP and hubby Phil, and me.  With this many people, there was a variety of interests. The following is a description of what we did.  I probably left out some things.

Thursday night – BeverlyT and TracyP had a campfire at their site.  I was tired and went to bed, so I don’t really know what else happened.

Friday morning – A group of us joined two Park volunteers for a bird tour around Elm Lake.  So many birds and a few alligators were spotted.  I’m not a birder, so I will not attempt to list the birds.

Friday afternoon – People went in different directions.  (walks along 40 Acre Lake, geocaching, etc.)  I took a nap.

Friday evening – JacqueA organized a trip to Jay’s Café for dinner.  Those that did not go enjoyed a campfire at my site.

Saturday morning – 1) ChristineF led a 7 mile bike/walk on trails in the North Eastern part of the Park.  Two of the trails were Equestrian trails and they were really rough!  Horse hooves make deep divots in the mud, which makes for a very jarring bike ride.  Two of us, got off our bikes and pushed them along.  Note – all other park trails were smooth and well kept.   2)TomW took a solo 7 mile walk to where the Yellowstone Steamer landed during the Texas revolution.

Saturday afternoon – People went in different directions.  I took a nap.  (I’m beginning to see a pattern in my daily life.)

Saturday evening – Potluck dinner and campfire at my site.  TOWNies do know how to cook!

Saturday night – A walk along part of 40 Acre Lake to see alligator eyes glow in the dark.  Eola was the instigator for this trek!

Sunday morning – People started loading up for the trip home.  Some stayed Sunday night and left on Morning.

I cannot say enough about the beauty of Brazos Bend State Park.  Although I planned the dates and sent out information for this outing, it was the impromptu actions of others to lead activities that made this outing a success.

Hi all,

We had a slightly  slower and longer and philosophical  hike today with Junko,  Bella, and Sheba providing excellent canine suggestions and support for LisaS, Sarah, Carolyn, Effie,  Jacque  and Marsha during a slippery hike today of 4.6 miles on the Greenbelt.

We were treated to a nice creek of water at Sculptured Falls that allowed Bella and Junko to show off synchronized swimming while Sheba was the tough coach on the sidelines.  She was not going to get those  dainty  feet wet.

Pardon me for some ramblings and rumblings…

Our conversation centered around the coronavirus  today as that is frightening and unknown.  We have a choice…. to run in fear  and hoard or run to others to help.  The virus is here, but it is not stronger than love.  Yes, there are serious consequences as many, my self included,  have lost jobs or income,  but we have TOWNIES.

The pups today showed us what is important.

1. Share a stick when it is thrown in water.  No need to hoard.
2. Enjoy the dreary days as well as the sunny days.  Sunny days will come again.  Each is a gift.
3. Kiss your friends, or elbow kisses,  when you see them.  Sniffing butts, well, THAT is  optional.
4. Share your water and chicken treats.  You have enough.
5. Walk slowly through life when you need to to see and smell the blooms and run to feel the wind.   Each has it’s own beauty.

Trying times but TOWNIES are a team.  Please let me know if you need help.

Until next time…..

Happy Trails,  Marsha