Category: Uncategorized (Page 22 of 46)

Hi all,

We had 3 dogs today, Patchy, who was at Camp Grandma, Bella and Junko. They graciously allowed Jenny, Kim, Carolyn, Lisa, Ann, Sarah, Lisa and Marsha to tag along for a glorious 4.3 mile hike in perfect weather. 

 We delayed our hike for 5 minutes hoping that doggie Abby would join us. Her mother, Debbie, is recovering from surgery but we were still very surprised that Debbie did not send her by Uber to join us.

Patchy had a blade of grass stuck in his hair, so Carolyn immediately ended her and Patchy’s hike, under the guise of Grandma Duty but really suspected to take Patchy for urgent for dog hair updo. 

Bella was slowing down the last mile and we agreed to go back then rather than go another 15 miles although Lisa S and Kim loudly complained about the shortened hike,  even though they were in the back of the group. Junko had energy for all.

Until next time…..

Happy Trails , Marsha 

Hello, TOWNies:

McKinney Falls State Park was full of TOWNies this weekend who were hiking, exchanging gifts, and cuddled in their wraps at campfires.

Thanks to all who contributed to the yummy potluck and to those who participated in the evening. It was, as usual, boisterous fun, highlighted by emcee Jacque Austin and the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Popular gifts were cute birdhouses, pajamas and blankets. Some gifts were less popular and cute, but all were treasured or memorable to some degree. 

Thank you to Marsha who led a large-group hike in our lovely Saturday morning. Some of her hikers split off to join a State Park offered hike of Edible and Medicinal Plants. 

Thanks to Lisa Marengo who organized an archery event that benefitted Friends of McKinney Falls. 

The evening camping group Friday night was treated to far-away lightning that quickly got closer, closer….run! Then the rain pounded, and the air chilled: It was pretty exciting camping weather.  Past-Prez Susan Walters hosted campfires each night and fed them wood so we stayed kind of warm. Saturday night was especially cold.

Enhancing the friendly and happy scenes were some of the world’s cutest pups, well-seasoned to TOWNie antics and blasé about all the laughter. 

Here’s Chico, at one campfire. 

It was another beautiful day as 5 TOWNies, Carolyn,  Kim,  Debbie,  Lisa and Marsha,  were joined by canine companions Junko, Abby and Patchy, who was visiting at Camp Grandma. 

We only completed 3.7 miles but we had many uphill climbs that slowed us down. One rescue mission was initiated as Carolyn lost a glove and as the TOWN motto states ” No TOWNie  left behind “, we backtracked and located the glove that had been left in the frigid weather.  Sadly, despite the best efforts at revival, the glove  was declared DOA when given back to Carolyn. But, she can feel some comfort getting the glove back, which was quickly put back on and offered warmth to a cold hand.

Yesterday,  at the Holiday Party, we started with 21 hikers for  the 10:00 hike but only returned with 12. Um, not sure how the motto works for the lost TOWNies,  but we are hoping  that they have a good year wandering around  lost at McKinney Falls  and that we can locate them next year on our hike then.

Until next time….

Happy Trails, Marsha 

Hi all, 

We had 4 canines today, Abby, Bella, Junko and Sheba, who graciously slowed down the chasing of the wind to allow Effie, CarolynH, Jacque, Ann, Sarah, Kim, DebbieB, LisaS, LisaF and Marsha to tag along for a 4.5 mile hike. 

This was the first hike of the new year and we had a gaggle of TOWNIES as we had perfect weather and company.  Normally,  we have fewer TOWNIES but I must admit, that other hikers were scattering when they saw and heard us coming, scuttling to the side of the trail to avoid being carried along in the gaggle. 

It is important to note that Bella was wearing a Harvard kerchief and it was determined that she graduated over the holidays with a M S.M.S.C., 

Master’s of Science in Milkbone Search and  Chomp, a coveted degree. 

Until  next time…..

Happy Trails, Marsha 

Well, we participated today in a birding outing that was indeed fun.  This was, as you will recall, not a TOWN-Austin outing.  Six of us (Effie with husband Michael, Jacque, LisaM, MaryVE, and SheliaMcK) joined about 44 birders to check the two blinds and walk at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Seen at the blinds were:  White-winged Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays – these were a true highlight with bright blue colors, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, House Finche, White-throated Sparrow, Spotted Towhee – another fav with bright red eyes, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Cardinal, and Titmice.  During our walk we spotted:  American Pipit, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing – a truly lovely bird with such clean, sleek lines, Carolina Wren, Eastern Phoebe, Black Vulture, and a Killdeer.

We had fun, made some new friends, and believe it or not – talked and laughed a lot – though not in the bird blinds!

The next Beginners Bird Walk with the Travis Audubon group will be Saturday, February 1^st at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park located on West Slaughter Lane.  Watch for more details.  As before, this will be NOT A TOWN-AUSTIN OUTING.

Jacque

Hi all,

 We had 6 TOWNIES today and honorary dog, Sheba. Maria, now an official TOWNie!, Kim, Carolyn, Effie, Jacque and Marsha hiked 4.4 miles today, connecting different loops and trails to have a new never-before-trod  trail today, that was an odyssey of dancing squirrels, hopping rabbits and scenes of star moss. The weather was perfect with a cool wind reminding us that the gentle grip of winter is still here but that the promise of spring will soon be here before we tire of the cool air.

As the holidays are bidding us farewell until next year, we gleefully realized that the calories burned today would allow us to nibble two sugar cookies, or perhaps the smooth taste of caramels.

No New Year’s resolutions were voiced by any TOWNIE but perhaps with a gentle nudge we can be reminded to enjoy the great outdoors.

Until next time…..

Happy Trails, Marsha 

Me, Jacque, and Sheba went on the hike.  Overcast sky, but the rain held off.  We are TOWNies, and are not afraid of getting wet.  Thought we might be the only people out on the trail with the chance of rain in the forecast, but the parking area was pretty full.  Creek was dry, and lots of tree leaves falling.  The trail is so nice in on these warmer than normal winter days.  As much as I enjoy seeing family, it was time for me to spend some time outside.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and has a Happy New Year! Janice

Hi all,

We had 7 festive women today that gathered for a 4.4 mile hike on the Greenbelt. 

Carolyn, LisaF, Maria, Jenny, Effie, Kim, and Marsha gathered for a hike that was a fast paced, a pace that quicken considerably when Carolyn, decked out in Santa hat, mentioned that she had coffee and cookies at her house following the hike. Oh, the pace of the hike couldn’t only be matched by Rudolph and his peers, as we sped upon the land, traversing the Greenbelt with the ease of the most accomplished elf.

As I departed from the group to go to church, I can only imagine the cookies were far beyond the plum pudding that is do highly  acclaimed. 

Happy Holidays. 

Until next time……

Happy Trails, Marsha 

Trip Report Belton Lake December 12-15, 2019

Six hardy TOWNies braved cold nights to enjoy Live Oak Park on beautiful Belton Lake.  TracyP and AndreaS are two brand new members who win an award for tent camping—a relatively new experience for both!  NancyL joined up with her tenting equipment and experience.  We enjoyed seeing ChristineF’s cute and creative camper set-up.  CarolP and BeverlyT provided entertainment with our furry friends.  Carol took some excellent pictures of the road runner living behind her camper.  Christine almost has two stray cats want to follow her home, Marilyn.

Friday a.m.  we explored Stillhouse Hollow.   Learning the hiking trails were closed for the day, we displayed TOWNie adaptability by heading to a different part of Stillhouse where we leisurely explored the shore.  We did  a public service by picking up a full bucket of glass bottles thrown out before kids got all cut up!

Friday Tracy, Andres, and Carol hiked Miller Springs Park across the road while Nancy and Beverly got kayaks wet on the lake.  Pot luck centered around Louisiana chicken and sausage gumbo.  Beverly’s daughter Christie and granddaughter, Rebekah, brought a prospective member to meet us.

Saturday was gorgeous and we greatly enjoyed an extended hike at Chalk Ridge Falls, seeing a waterfall, crossing a suspension bridge, and meandering along the creekbed.  Patches and Britain chased one another, fought for the lead, and tugged over thrown sticks as our entertainment.   We kept passing folks out for the Christmas bird count, and tried to be considerate in not scaring off all other creatures!

Nancy was so excited to kayak, Bev took her to another part of Belton Lake, while the others relaxed a bit.  We gathered up around 5:00 pm to head out to BLORA, a Ft. Hood property to be near first in line to view Christmas in Lights.

The exhibit is exceptional and reasonably priced –If folks from Austin are impressed that speaks for itself! (Biggest thing around here was the new HEB 4 years ago!)

We drove a bit further to  eat at Fireside Pizza, a family friendly brick oven gourmet pizza place.  Pizza and beer and good fellowship and a band—what’s better than that!  We were able to enjoy a real wood campfire nightly.

This was a terrific outing and a good first experience for Tracy and Andrea—other than freezing at night!!  Everyone was cooperative, helpful, independent , flexible and fun!!   Isn’t that what TOWN is all about?

PS : I did remember to get everyone to sign in, but not sure what to do with it! LOL

Hi all,

We had 5.5 women and 1.5 dogs today on our Sunday hike. We had guest Maria, and Effie, Lisa, Kim and Marsha, along with half of Carolyn and half of Patchy, but a full Junko.

Sounds confusing.  Carolyn went about 1 mile and after we mentioned hills today, she conveniently remembered that she had to be home to take care of her grandchildren while Grandpa played basketball.  It was agreed that COULD be a realistic reason to leave early, but then Lisa also stated that she had grandchildren to care for at home. Since we had never heard of any grandchildren before, it was felt that her story was probably a desperate and pathetic attempt to avoid hills today.

The hike was a little gray and overcast, but Nanook, aka Effie, was bundled up, ready to face the North Pole storms.  All that was missing was the red nose reindeer to guide us. 

We trudged up the hills and had a nice 4.75 hike today, or most of us did.

Until next time….

Happy Trails, Marsha