Category: Uncategorized (Page 30 of 46)

Hi all,

 We had a nice but cold heights today with 6 brave TOWN women and 3 crazy dogs. Jacque,  Lisa, Kim, Effie, Carolyn  and Marsha  were joined by Patches,  Junko, and Sheba the Diva,  who all doubled the mileage that we went with their crazy antics and chases in the cold  morning air.

We went 4.64 miles but the pups had to travel at least 10. But, then again,  they are 4-wheel drive  running machines. 

 The only wildlife that we saw was a squirrel who quickly ran up the tree and then we heard several birds as the morning warmed up. The last 2 miles of the hike was a quicker pace as we had been trying new side trails earlier and began to run out of time for church. Over all, it was a delightful hike with delightful women and dogs.

Happy Trails, Marsha 

Hey TOWNies!

Super successful hike at Bright Leaf Preserve this morning!  Thirteen of us [CarolynD (& her sister SusanJ), CarolynH, DawnK, DebbieB, Effie, Jacque, KayS, LisaS, LoisK (with husband Steve), MarshaK, and SarahA] met at 9 am and hiked for about two hours.  Temps were cold and it was indeed windy, but after all we are TOWN women (except for Steve) and everyone hiked well.  The preserve is currently is good condition – paths are excellent shape with few water crossings.

What we saw/discussed:  Ms. Lucas, Dry Creek, Lindheimer Silk Tassels, Golden-cheeked Warblers, Ashe Junipers, Cedar Choppers, Balcones/balconies/steps, Nostoc, Star moss, Devil’s Fingernails, dye and the Cochineal bug, Twist-leaf Yucca, Georgia Lucas’s home, Kitty Condo, Eagle Scout project, and Bracted Twist flower.

And regarding questions asked:

Galls or cecidia, are a kind of swelling growth on the external tissues of plants, fungi, or animals. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues, similar to benign tumors or warts in animals. They can be caused by various parasites, from viruses, fungi and bacteria, to other plants, insects and mites.

The grave site location of Ms. Georgia B. Lucas is not given on the websites visited.

Why Cedar Choppers cut trees in the Bright Leaf area?  The Ashe Juniper in that area is more acidic and therefore longer lasting than other cedars.  Source:  Central Texas Gardner on PBS during lunch today!

The life of Ms. Lucas:  As a girl Ms. Lucas “had an artistic bent and loved wandering in the woods.  Her family would escape the swelter of summer in the city at their hilltop cabin near Mount Bonnell.  The shaded paths, birds songs, wildflowers and creek were a life-long inspiration and became her refuge and home as an adult.  …  Lucas was a savvy businesswoman, amassing 216 acres of undeveloped land west of downtown.  Lucas lived in her home in town, managing residential rental properties across the city, but she visited her private nature preserve almost daily, spending time with her cat companions, dabbling in watercolors, and strolling the grounds.  (quote from Austin Community Foundation)

Thanks so much to each of you for joining me today!

Jacque

There were 4 brave women, Effie,  Kim, Debbie and Marsha, who challenged the brisk morning  for a 4.3 mile  hike on the  greenbelt. Abby, the wonder dog, led the way and kept us on pace to see the rewarding clear Barton Creek waters dancing along the banks.

 The 1st Sunday of every month will be a different hike. We will still start from my house, but if everyone’s schedule allows we will caravan to a different spot down the road to begin to explore the Western Inn of the Greenbelt.  Will you will have a later arrival time back. There will be some Sundays that I cannot do the far end hike due to church obligations but we will start in February for a different hike on the 1st Sunday.

Happy Trails,  Marsha 

This afternoon 5 Townies including myself went for a bike ride on the north end of the Walnut Creek Trail.  Anne E, Janet F, Janice B, Kay S, & Sandy S.  

The weather was sunny and clear.  There was a breeze, but no high winds.  Everything went perfectly.  We got started right on time.  We made it to the end of the trail.  Where we turned around and returned to the parking lot at the tennis center. 

 Janet gets bonus points for trying to help a gentleman jump start his pickup.  Sadly it didn’t work.  Janet had a 6 cylinder vehicle, everyone else had a 4 cylinder. So, we felt hers was the best to give it a try. She also stayed to continue her ride. She wanted to go back to look with her binoculars at some birds we had seen.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Janice B

We definitely had a fun time hiking Turkey Creek Trail together.  Four of us:  Ann Phipps (friend of Sarah), Anna Elman, Jacque (with sweet dog Sheba Diva) and Sarah Anderson (with her sweetie Bella) met in the parking lot at Turkey Creek.  We did a bit of getting to know one another and then took off.

The trail was in good shape despite being a bit wet.  We did likely 11-12 creek crossings, saw no snakes, no falls, hiked 3.1 miles in about 95 miles.

I will lead this hike again in the new year.  Why?  Because Sheba and I like it and there are no apparent coyotes.

See you on the trail!

Jacque

Trip Report: Goose Island Campout

November 29-December 4, 2018

Who

Gloria, CindiS, Maria, June, JudyS, SandyS, Marilyn, Susan, DianeN and guest, NancyL, Joan, SaraF, and JackieD participated all or some of the days TOWN’s occupation covered. Cindi is a resident of Rockport and gave us a number of tips for kayaking excursions and was the concierge for our seafood feasts Saturday.

What

We couldn’t have had better weather for our outdoor activities!  Five days of dry, cool temperatures and true blue skies!

We went kayaking Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, getting a taste of the local put-ins of St. Charles Bay.

Friday we put in at Big Tree and intended to paddle across “about one mile” to an island, but the wind and waves generated alternate plans, which were to paddle along the upwind shoreline and explore a ruined dock and lagoon. Then the wind brought us back.

Saturday, with all our paddlers assembled, we drove to Howard Murph Park across the big bridge, but the wind was again daunting. Then we drove to the State Park’s Bayfront Campsites (now day-use only due to hurricane damage), mucked thru the foul-smelling mud, and paddled into the wildlife viewing area.  As we kayaked into the breeze some of our group saw dolphins! Our return float was easier.

Saturday eve NancyL bought us a map of the Goose Island waterways and picked out our Sunday spot, an unmarked overpass of Highway 35 at Cavasos Creek, which let us slide into gentle waters and through the Aransas Wildlife Refuge.  We saw whooping cranes only from a distance since the tall marsh grasses hid the nearest views; we saw mud-lined banks with big ol’ claw track;, and Joan saw a mudbound slitherer alongside her kayak.  Later we spread out the detailed map and saw the little green alligators in each of the marsh channels we explored.  Best float ever!

In addition to paddling, we had bike rides, ate at a restaurant, had a shrimp boil (thanks to LisaM’s loan of a big boiling pot!), a meal a couple of us preceded with some delicious fresh raw oysters (thanks to Cindi for coordinating the seafood purchases purchases!).  Altogether a meal that we ate in several courses, with corn and potatoes and rum cake and salad.

On Monday morning Marilyn and Joan did some plant remediation as a thank-you to the Park; it was a job they couldn’t have paid us for—meaning that we worked for 2 hours and hardly made a dent in the overgrown sunflower patch.  I suspect it was make-work, and the ranger pretended to be grateful.   J

Highlights

Best of all, we got to know new member SaraF, and soon-to-be-member CindiS; we got to have roaring fires each night; we witnessed stars arrayed against moonless nights; and we fell out quietly by 10 pm without causing any mischief.

Lowlights

TOWNie JackieD had a bike accident, ordered some crutches, and hobbled around till she could head back early.  When she got to her doctor Monday an X-ray showed she had fractured her femur at her hip!  As of today (Tues., 12/4) she is at Seton Hospital on 38^th St. recovering from surgery and will be home later this week.  If you wish to send well wishes you can call or email her using your roster.

In spite of the fact Navarro Mills Lake is about 10 ft above flood stage (which resulted in some campsite cancellations), the ladies from East Texas TOWN and Austin TOWN gathered for a fun fall  weekend.

TeresaDeS, MelanieA, BeverlyT, SusanW, SharonR, JudyS, SuzanneH, JuneA, JudyD, and guest, MolleyP began gathering on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening we gathered around the campfire and Sharon made a barbecue stand run to get barbecue tacos which were delicious.  Friday was a rather cool day so we had a campfire at Sharon’s site all day.  The ladies walked, rode bikes, geocached, and Beverly kayaked.

Saturday, Beverly, Molley, June, and JudyD visited a nearby gun range for some instruction and pistol practice. That evening we had a potluck which was wonderful as always.  Later there was some star gazing and lightening watching as a storm approached. Melanie & JudyS rode out the storm in their tents during the night.

Molley now wants to join both TOWN groups she enjoyed the weekend so much.

Ask SusanW about the Black Widow Spider she found.  Just a reminder to look around before the pull out our chocks, jacks, etc.

Judy

In spite of the fact Navarro Mills Lake is about 10 ft above flood stage resulting in some campsite cancellations, the ladies from East Texas TOWN and Austin TOWN gathered for a fun fall  weekend.

Teresa D, Melanie A, Beverly T, Susan W, Sharon R, Judy S, Suzanne H, June A, Judy D, and guest, Molley Paschal began gathering on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening we gathered around the campfire and Sharon made a barbecue stand run to get barbecue tacos which were delicious. Friday was a rather cool day so we had a campfire at Sharon’s site all day.  The ladies walked, rode bikes, geocached, and Beverly kayaked.

Saturday, Beverly, Molley, June, and Judy D visited a nearby gun range for some instruction and pistol practice. That evening we had a potluck which was wonderful as always.  Later there was some star gazing and lightening watching and a storm approached. Melanie & Judy S rode out the storm in their tents during the night.

Molley now wants to join both TOWN groups she enjoyed the weekend so much.

Ask Susan Walters about the Black Widow Spider she found.  Just a reminder to look around before the pull out our chocks, jacks, etc.

Judy

Approximately 16 participants joined in the fun at Goliad.  Thursday brought Marilyn, Lisa, Eden and me to get the party started.  Friday brought Nancy, BarbaraD and guest Bill, Jacqueline (a former president of Houston TOWN), Kim and guest Daniel,  Sheila and Barry, Janis, Lisa M and our favorite bartender Gloria!  We sang along as Marilyn, Barbara and Bill serenaded us with guitars, banjos and amazingly talented voices! There was also ample dancing on the tiki bar mat:)

On Saturday the Flotilla as reported by Marilyn:

“About 12 of us took part in the Goliad Fall Flotilla. The waters of the San Antonio River looked swift, but maneuvering was easy. The take-out in the State park had washed away, so we were treated to a new take-out constructed in downtown Goliad at Ferry Landing. The Park in that area is clean and sparkling new, so we appreciate the contributions of the San Antonio River Association and  Canoe Trail Goliad in making such excellent improvements.

The float downriver was only 4 miles, an easy float from Hwy 59 to downtown. Due to recent rains the water level was still high but, as revealed by debris in the trees, was 15 feet lower than at its flood mark. The blue, blue skies and warm, gentle breezes made for a very quiet float:  Few birds and turtles were seen, though LindaB’s boat was T-boned by a snake. It wasn’t hurt, but we think Linda’s kayak levitated out of the river momentarily.

The strong arms of the volunteering men and women were welcome, steadying our kayaks as we stepped into them for launch and pulling the boats up the steep bank on new kayak slides at the take-out.”

While we floated, Lisa and Eden found their coveted green jays.  We finished Saturday with some bike riding and a great communal meal before our campfire visits.

On Sunday many of us toured the new to us El Camino Real Goliad Visitor Center built by the CCC in the 1930s.  It is a must see when next you are near there!

Three of us spent Sunday evening and Firebug Nancy kept us warm and smoky while we reminisced over the successful weekend.

I owe a huge thanks to all!!  What an amazing, talented and fun group !

Two of our members have new campers to show off, so come on out and join us next time!

Linda B

Great weather for Take a Hike Day.  Clear and cool.   13 Townies made it:  Anna E, Barbara S, Carol J, Carolyn H, Christine F, Gail P-C, Helen P, Jacque, Janice B, Kim W,Marilyn F, Marsha K, & Martha S.  Also 2 dogs:  Sheba & Lady Bird.

We met up at the parking lot, and after a brief stop at the bathrooms headed down the trail.  Some mud, but the trail was in good condition.  Made two stops to watch the waters of Onion Creek which was clear and flowing.  Went to the trails end at Perez Elementary.  We stopped for a brief water break, and watched a bird in a tree.  The consensus was it was a thrush.  Saw many happy dogs running and playing along the trail, and at the parking area.  Thank you everyone for making the hike such a success.

Janice B.