Category: Uncategorized (Page 38 of 46)

Six of us gathered Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to hike the trails at the LCRA McKinney Roughs Nature Park: Carolyn, Jacque, Janet (with Barney, who made his first TOWN walk in great style), and Marsha who brought her friends Alisha and Nate.

We hiked about 3.6 miles in 1.75 hours, and our route included these trails: Coyote Road, Riverside, Cypress, Pine Ridge, Bobcat Ridge, and back to the park entrance via Riverside again.  We talked, walked, and didn’t get lost!  Thanks to Marsha and Carolyn for keeping us moving at the good pace.

Janet and Jacque noticed a sample of coyote scat containing bird feathers.  We also discovered one of the zip lining platforms.  See photos below.

After hiking, several of us sat and visited while we ate the remains of lunch.  Janet’s husband brought their two additional dogs to visit: Max and Gilly.  Gilly is the most recent adoption into their family.

It was a perfect day to be hiking together: very overcast, no rain, and fine companionship.

Join us next time!

Jacque

Team TOWN took down the baddies, and they did it with flair!  Round Rock is safe from all zombies and bad hombres!

GloriaB, Cheryl, Rachel, Sandy and I took on the challenge at SafeRange on Thursday night.  Charlie’s Angels have nothing on these ladies!  We took on old west shootouts, muggers, shooters, zombies and assorted baddies. There was no need for that waiver as all ladies were home safe . . . even if GloriaB and Sandy did aim their guns at me (geesh, you think you know your friends)!

LisaM

It was a lovely day to be outside, and 10 amazing TOWN outing leaders (Janice, Jacque, Linda BW, Jenny, Jan, Carrie, Susan, GloriaB, Hilary and CarolynD) joined me to explore Mayfield Park.  Some of our group were unaware of this lovely gem that is tucked away right in the city, and others had not been there for many years.

Lake Austin has been lowered, and it was interesting to see the area in this cove almost dry as a result.  Most of us took the opportunity to walk on the bottom.  It seems that some trails that are not on the map have been created.  We did some bushwhacking, but didn’t lose anyone, and ended up back on a trail.  We looked around the old homestead and saw some of the resident peacocks.

Then we took off to Cafe Express for lunch, where June and Adela joined us.  We had some difficulty with the order, but we had a separate room which was nice given that the cafe was quite crowded.  They seemed unable to get poor Gloria her order, so be extra kind to her next time you see her.

As always, it was good to catch up with the amazing women who volunteer to lead such fun outings on behalf of the entire group.  Special shout out to the TOWN members who were eligible but unable to attend: Marilyn, Gail, Janet, JudyL, LindaF, Marsha, Susie, SandyO and anyone who I may have inadvertently missed.  WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO TOWN!

LisaS

It was a beautiful day for a hike along Barton Creek.  Nine TOWNies made the hike: Anna, BarbaraS, Carolyn, Gail, Inge, Kristina, Janet, Jenny and I.  Everyone met up at the parking lot near the pool entrance.  The weather was pretty cool, and the skies were mostly overcast.  We made good time hiking and talking.  We stopped along the way to watch a cormorant and great blue heron that were sitting on the far shore of Barton Creek.  Everyone made it to the 3-mile marker, where we stopped and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the rushing waters, before turning around for the hike back.  We got back to the parking lot around noon.  The skies had completely cleared by then.  Anna, Janet and I went to Panera for lunch and lovely conversation.

Janice

When I heard this movie was coming out in December, I was so excited.  Probably 15 people signed up to attend, but then I found out that it had only a limited release at Christmas and wouldn’t be in Austin until January.  Unfortunately, today was a very busy day for TOWNies, and only Joan and I went out to eat and then to the movie.

I don’t want to say much about the details of the movie, but it is an amazing story and I strongly encourage you to go see it while it is still in the theater.  We thoroughly enjoyed it and wish you could’ve joined us.

Lisa Sands

What fun we had! I believe the early birds arrived on Thursday, and other brave campers arrived Friday.  We had some hold-overs who weren’t ready to leave until Tuesday.

But we got into full swing on Saturday with an invigorating morning hike.  Many people convened in the dining hall for eating (surprise) and games throughout the day.

At high noon (some thought it was 1:00 but the start time was based on Mountain Time) we began the wiffle ball game.  At first, some were not so eager to play, but when they heard that the other option was to wear the TOWN cheerleader outfit (which CarrieL selected during the gift exchange this year), they relented and joined us — it was a little too cool for the grass skirt and clam shell top!  Unfortunately, SandyO had to run to work, and JenLG and SusieA were not there to lend their considerable skill to our game.  Who knew that GloriaB has been holding out on us?  She was all over the field catching balls!  LindaBW’s team won, but the final score kept changing.  It was something like 84-3.  It seems that anyone who hit the ball and rounded the bases was suddenly on her team.  The good news is that no one was seriously injured.

Thanks to JennyF and JanB for leading an afternoon hike.

By dinner time, we had 40 people.  As usual, there was a huge assortment and volume of food.  In addition to snacks, people brought dishes that could serve as entrees for everyone.  Although we all wanted to sample everything, it didn’t look like we made a dent in the food.  Oh, and the sweets!  Too many to mention individually, but I will say that Eola came from Coleman and brought her homemade pies!  Again, we had to try all the delicious confections.

Then it was on to the gift exchange.  JoanB was the referee . . . I mean moderator.  Some choice gifts from previous years made a reappearance and some new favorites were unwrapped.  Gifts were stolen until they could no longer be taken, but without serious injury to anyone.

Thanks to those of you who signed up to be the set-up crew, the food line organizers, the dishwashers, and the clean-up crew!  Wait, I never had anyone sign up for anything.  I knew it wouldn’t be a problem, and in usual TOWNie fashion, everyone just pitched in.

We had people travel in from many out-of-town locations, and it was such a treat to see everyone.  I didn’t mentioned everyone by name, but please know that it was so good to see you all.  Once again, I am reminded that the greatest gift is your friendship and support every day.

Looking forward to our next adventure!

Lisa Sands

Six members and three dogs (CarolynD, Jacque with Sheba, JackieD, KimW, Lisa with Junko, and SallieN with Maggie) hiked River Place Nature Trail. This trail is a 5-mile out-and-back that features a pond and is rated as difficult.

Traffic on the trail was unusually heavy for a Friday, as we encountered families with small children and visitors to Austin enjoying the trail. We hiked a portion of the 5-mile trail and added Little Fern trail.

Depending on which device you believe, we hiked 5.6 miles in 136 minutes. Lots of talking went on, and the dogs (actually only Junko) enjoyed frequent stick fetching forays into the cold water.

Thanks to everyone who joined me for the exercise and camaraderie, and to SallieN for the photo below.

Jacque

Four of us (CarolynD, Jacque with Sheba, JenLeG, and SusieA) hiked at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. This is a city park which attracts lots of walkers with dogs and mountain bikers. Depending on which electronic device you believe (!), we hiked about 5 miles during two hours. We did a lot of talking and enjoyed the time together.

Thanks to all who joined me.

Jacque

Camping with us were GloriaB, SusanW, KayS with her cousin Darlene, NancyLi, JudyS, SandyB and MarilynF.

There were lots and lots of birds, especially in the mornings, and several of us saw the endangered whopping cranes.

Some TOWNies went down the road to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, and Sandy and Nancy biked the quiet auto trail (12 miles) on Sunday and saw a huge alligator and a bobcat.

Kay and Dar did some museums in Rockport and especially enjoyed an art museum.

Judy had been given the grand tour of Rockport by her sister the day before, so she was a big help in pointing the way for our small explorer groups.

We located some great kayak put-in points, at our state park and in Fulton. Due to the weather forecast we did not plan to kayak, though the last day of our trip offered perfect weather for it. Next time!

Friday morning some of us went on a Ranger-led bird walk that focused on birds of the wooded areas.

Friday evening we all went to dinner at “Café.” Well, it’s real name was Old Fulton Seafood Café, but it had just expanded into the space next door and their sign was in the shop. That was not the funniest thing, but close. Sometime I’ll tell you about the oysters on the half-shell.

Saturday morning many went on another Ranger-led bird walk that focused on shore birds. They returned to camp for a group brunch of crockpot-baked eggs, ham and cheese.

Early in the afternoon Saturday we converged at Legends Saloon, a redneck bar with a dance floor and $4 mixed drinks. We sat on bleachers in the backyard and watched an event I’m sure was a first for Austin TOWN: belt sander racing! If you have never seen power tools race against each other, you should put belt sander racing on your bucket list. They really can go! One fellow was happy to answer our questions: For example, for some reason in places where the belt sanders have a person sitting on them for the race, that person is always female. Huh. Photos are posted on Facebook.

On Saturday evening some of us cooked our market fresh fish on the grill: heavenly! Others had more traditional campfire meals.

By Sunday afternoon we were down to only 4 TOWNies (Judy, Nancy, Sandy and Marilyn) and there was wildlife exploring to do. Sunday evening a first for me: A flock of birds flew over with amazing sound-surround whistling. I looked it up when I got home, and Sandy B was right — they were Blackbellied Whistling Ducks. Hear them here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blackbellied_Whistling-Duck/sounds. Monday morning at 6:30 AM I saw flocks that did the same, going the other way. Just excited to be flying and warm, I guess. It is duck season — I hope they all made it! There were other amazing sounds and sights, but since I am writing this report I get to say what I experienced.

I recommend this park for maybe a future warm December trip that includes kayaking in the wildlife refuge and bays. By then, according to Sandy, many more migratory birds should have arrived in this gorgeous state park.

Eight ladies took off from the dock at 5:30 p.m. on flat and glassy water for the last paddle of the TOWN Lady Bird Lake program. Our thanks to the Rowing Dock, whose support and flexibility this year have given us many happy hours on the water and who never laugh in front of us when they help us out of the boats!

Though the afternoon was warm and comfortable, the change of season was apparent in the slanting light, and the trip was shortened due to the Rowing Dock’s early closing.

New to us and new to Austin, AllieH was out for her first time kayaking and did her best to follow the instructions of many teachers: JudyA, PegG, NancyL, GailP-C, new member DebbieW, and GloriaW.

After rounding Redbud Island, we OWNED the lake.  We spread wide across it in a line, cheered on by a beautiful crane in flight and two parasailers zooming in from near the Tom Miller Dam, and no rowers. Never happened before.

JackieA and JudieT joined us for a farewell supper at Shady Grove.

We will begin again officially in March with the time change, but probably on the water in April. So mark your calendar and go look for those gloves for 2017.

Linda Foss