Category: Uncategorized (Page 35 of 46)

Our final kayak for the season, on Lady Bird Lake was Wed, Oct 25. Nine TOWN-Austin women joined to kayak toward Red Bud Island, DebbieW, LoisK, PegG, JudyA, AnnaE, MariaV, LindaF, Bonnie and me.

It was a cool evening, calm water and many rowers on the water.   Although we only had an hour, due to the time change and early closing at the Rowing Dock, a good time was had by all.   We had time to enjoy being out on on a beautiful night, unwind from the day and visit along the way.

We spotted an Osprey dive down toward the water making a loud noise. He sure caught our attention.

Afterwards we met up with DianeN and SusanW at  Shady Grove our favorite place. Glad they were able to join us.We had a good time visiting and eating.   Anna suggested we continue to meet for dinner.

That is a thought we can consider, maybe on a monthly basis?

LindaF brought a card for  LIndsay Rohler, manager of the Rowing Dock, for us to sign . Lindsay and her staff have been so helpful and friendly to work with.

We have had a fun season of kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. There are regulars that come every time and others come when they can. We have had friends of TOWN-Austin join us and some have become  members.  Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake is a peaceful way to end the day, connect with one another and have time to paddle alone and quietly to enjoy the serenity of the area.

Thank you LindaF for co leading. We have had a good time working together! Until next season…

Gail P-C

Yes, we were at the LCRA McKinney Roughs Nature Park to attend the 20^th anniversary of TOWN-Austin!  The park has been upgraded with blooming flowers and as a result lots butterflies were in attendance too.

Fifty-three women gathered to hike, talk, eat, play games, and renew friendships; those fortunate past and current members who attended were:  Amelia Greene, Barbara Swift, Beverly Travis, Carol Castlebury, Carol Pennington, Carolyn Doolittle, Carolyn Hanschen, Carrie Lasseter, Cheryl Cantwell, Cindy Frey, Darlene Young, Diane Nunez, Eden Bryant, Eola Lewis, Flo Madsen, Gail Penney-Chapmond, Gail Worthen, Gloria Blagg, Inge Hunka, Jacque Austin, Jan Brownell, Janet Fitzsimon-Barr, Janice Bittner, Jen LaGrange, Jenny Falkenberg, Joan Balash, Judie Tasch, Judy Allen, Judy Loving, Judy Dunavant, Judy Shaw, June Apprill, Kay Smith, Kim Wicheta, Linda Foss, Linda B. Williams, Lisa Davis, Lisa Sands, Margot Mendez, Marie Wilson, Marilyn Fowler, Marsha Karrass, Mary Zeitler, Milli Stecker, Nicole Flowers, Patricia Shaw, Peg Gavin, Sallie Novinger, Sandy Ostiguy, Sharon D. Richards, Shelia McCracken, Susan Walters, and Susie Aguirre.

We started gathering about 8 am.  The Dining Hall was set up for us by the LCRA staff.  JoanB  set up the indoor gas fireplace to reduce the chill.  She also started the outdoor fireplace; lots of women enjoyed sitting around the fireplace and just visiting.  SandyO culled through over 800 photos to display a continual photo show of about 740 shots.  She had also recreated some little Jib Jab videos which made for lots of fun.  We saw familiar faces and kept trying to come up with names!  Lots of fruit was available for an early snack.

JennyF and JanB led the first hike which began about 9:30.  Thirteen women joined them.  And from the way the hikers looked upon their return, it was a fun time with lots of talking and laughing.

About 11:30 our catered lunch from Baxter’s arrived.  We had choices of roast beef and turkey sandwiches, vegetarian wraps, chips, pasta salad, fruit, cookies, cakes, and ice tea.  No one should have gone home hungry.  In fact, so much food remained, many members took home snacks for their next meal.

During the lunch we did lots of talking.  LisaS started the event by welcoming the past and current members.  She introduced the current Board members and mentioned that between them were 55 years of experience on the Board.  Jacque continued by introducing attendees who were past Board members.  Following that Jacque talked about the history of TOWN-Austin beginning with Constance Whiston who started our group in 1997.

This was followed by the giveaway of fun gifts by MarilynF, SusanW, and JanetFB.  JuneA, LisaD, SusieA, CherylC, CarolynD, and GailW each won a prize.  EdenB won the big door prize of the afternoon, an antiqued cedar chest created by MarshaK.  And the final surprise was to honor the woman with the longest consecutive membership in our organization.  Well, it was a tie with both Amelia Greene and Susie Aguirre both joining in 2002 and maintaining their memberships through 2017!  Both were presented with a paid membership for 2018.  And both were surprised!

The afternoon hike departed about 1:30 with CarolC leading a group of 20.  Some of us got our exercise by sitting on the front porch and rocking.

We really had a super day!  Thank you to all who attended, led hikes, helped with clean up, and just had a fun time!

Jacque

Even with only 3 kayakers from our group the Canoe Goliad Flotilla was a success. The water flow was great, the water level was up and (as always) the volunteers were outstanding!  As Gloria B stated…the best and fastest float we have done on that part of the San Antonio river.

We had 14 TOWN members and 2 guests who camped, visited the brewery, biked, played card games, toured the many historical sites and missions and engaged in a slightly illegal self-guided nighttime tour.

This group always comes together and provides support and entertainment for all. The meals were delicious! Thanks to all who kept us fed and hydrated!

Attending were JudyJ, SharonR, GailW, and JudyS who drove straight down from our Bastrop area campout and 20th Reunion.  On Wednesday DonnaB arrived to keep them in line.  Thursday brought LisaD and Eden, SandyS, Marie , Kay, and LindaB with guest Tom.  On Friday VIPs Susan W, GloriaB and PeggyP with guest Al arrived.

If you have not done this yearly adventure plan to go next year. Hopefully Adela will lead us once again!  LindaBW

I think the best part was how the big tornado was staged! But I am getting ahead of myself.

On Friday five TOWNies and two mini-TOWNies gathered at Zilker Park to enjoy cold water, a superb stage performance, and friendship. They were Nicole F., Judy L, Nancy V. L., Carrie L., and Marilyn F., and the minis: Abby and Emma.

Our strategic parking initiative was unnecessary as Fate smiled upon cars arriving at 10 am, 4 pm, and even 7 pm. The Barton Springs Pool was the usual stunning vista, with young people folding their bodies into elegant and inelegant dives, first-timers screaming as they lowered into the refreshing water, and fields of beauties perfecting their all-over tans.

As the day progressed the swimming pool water may have warmed up a degree due to the immersion of hot bodies, as our little group shaded under huge pecan trees on the south shore hillside, walked to Chuy’s for lunch, and intermittently dunked in the progressively cloudy springs water with thousands of others.

A couple of hours before the show began we established our blankets and chairs at the Zilker Hillside Theater and picnicked and people-watched until the tornado descended on stage.

This year’s annual summer musical (a 39 year tradition!) is “The Wizard of Oz,” and I was spellbound: I thought this show worthy of Broadway. From sets that were simple but very effective to poppies and snowflakes effected by ballet dancers, this production paints a delightful musical portrait, a timeless story in a timeless setting under the trees. We were clapping our hands in delight at the singing, at the pup Toto, and at the stagehands’ artistry.

One cannot remain in the water for long, but you cannot go to Barton Springs without sensing the roll of a thousand years’ human history, from First Nations’ drinking and cooling in the flow from caverns below to the first Europeans’ milling and bathing in garb so opposite of today’s women. It is a critical and priceless gift from the Earth to us. And the ZHT Wizard of Oz made it even more magical. We hope you will go see it yourself.

Five TOWNies [BarbaraS, GailP-C, Jacque (with Sheba), Lisa (with Junko), and NicoleF (with Brave Emma)] gathered at Turkey Creek Trail in Emma Long Park to walk 3+ miles.

No one got their feet wet – except the two dogs!  Water levels all along the trail were way down.  Maidenhair ferns are stressed and brown.  A usually wet spring wasn’t flowing.  We added a bit to our usual 2.75 miles by walking into the area that connects with the park.  Brave Emma led us for awhile and marked the trail turns.  We do appreciate that she joins us!

Join us next time!  Jacque

There were six TOWN-Austin women AnnaE, JudyA, NicoleF, SandyO, PegG and me who kayaked Lady Bird Lake. It was a beautiful night to kayak. The skies were overcast and there was a slight breeze.We kayaked toward downtown and observed the many cranes and progress of the the expanding skyline. We could hear a bit of the music at Blues on the Green as we kayaked by Zilker Park.

Afterwards most of us went to Las Palomas and sat outside for a bite to eat. Nice to visit and end the evening with good food, Sangria and wine. The next date for kayaking on Lady Bird Lake is Wed. July 26. Linda Foss will lead. Hope you can be there!
Gail P-C

Hey TOWNies!

Seven of us met to hike River Place Nature Trail this morning – AnnaE, Jacque (with Sheba), LisaS (with Junko), NicoleF (with daughter Emma and dad Monroe), and Sallie (with Maggie.)  We were certainly a mixed bag of hikers today.

Anna hiked ahead to the kiosk on Big View and then hiked back for 6 miles.  Sallie and Maggie left us about half way through the Canyon Trail.  The remaining five of us hiked much of the Canyon Trail, but then turned around and hiked all of Little Fern Trail.  I think we hiked about 5 miles in 160 minutes.  Have to tell you Nicole’s dad Monroe (71) was out in front of us for much of our five miles.

Much of the water is cloudy and not flowing.  It’s was hot and humid today.

We’ll do this again and hike the entire trail.  Thanks to all of you for joining me to day.  Jacque

Eight TOWN-Austin women, LindaF, Jacque, Judie, Gail, Suzanne, Gloria, JudyA and Anna, kayaked on Lady Bird Lake Wed, June 28, 2017. The water was calm and the temp bearable!  We had good shade along the edge as we kayaked around Red Bud Island. We saw a number of turtles, who were not frightened by us and remained lounging where they were.  We spotted a crane and a red bird that was not a cardinal. Several saw what a first looked like a snake, but turned out to be a floating stick!  Several kayaked to the dam and everyone else continued around Red Bud Island. There were a number of fishermen catching and releasing.  The traffic was light on the water.

Afterwards four of us went to Shady Grove and sat outside for dinner and refreshments. Our conversation was around cooking or not, places that delivered meals pre measured to cook, gardening and the farmers markets.  It was a beautiful evening!

Hope to see you next time on Lady Bird Lake, Wednesday, July 12.  Gail P-C

Eight TOWNies: me, BarbaraC, CarolC, GailP-C, Jacque, JanetFB, NicoleF & EmmaC  rode our bikes this morning.  For some this was a new location to ride.  Everyone found the park, and unloaded their bikes.

We started on the trail a few minutes past 8:30.  Thanks to the recent rain there was water in the creek, and everything was green.  We made good time, and the miles wheezed by.  Carol stopped traffic so a snake could cross, and Gail and Janet were going so fast they sped past the 5 mile marker.  When they saw the next marker they realized they had pasted it.  Barbara saw a rabbit along the way.  Everyone made it back to the parking lot a little past 10.  We got the bikes all loaded back up.  Janet shared some yellow meat water melon.

Happy and safe 4th everyone.  Janice

What a blast! POW! WHAM!
I got to see this movie with my own Wonder Woman, Susan Walters!
Actually, I am a Wonder Woman, too, because I wonder why “Diana” needed a man in order to stop a German….oh, never mind.
Fun movie, especially at Alamo. Go and enjoy.