Category: Uncategorized (Page 44 of 46)

Inks Lake was a good place to be last weekend as we were on the very edge of the storm!  TOWNIES are tough and weather doesn’t keep us out.  The day to arrive was Thursday before the rain.  JudyL and June went kayaking in the afternoon to Devil’s Hole.

Later in the day we were joined by SandyO and SusanW and were able to enjoy a campfire. Since Sandy is the owner of the 2nd “mother ship” we gathered in her trailer to play Hand and Foot.  It rained Friday morning so we again played games and watched a movie. After lunch we went for a walk between a couple light showers. Friday night we played more games.

We woke Saturday to a beautiful day and Lisa, Joan, Marie and SandyB joined us. Some of us took a ride to the “slab” in Kingsland, but the water wasn’t flowing there like we thought it would – guess the rain didn’t hit them. Some went for another walk on the trail past Devil’s Hole and saw beautiful waterfalls, some took naps, and some played cards.

Our potluck was Saturday night where we had nothing to eat – only chili, cornbread, salad, chicken and rice, vegetables, brownies, candy, apples, caramel, and special drinks.   Yes, I guess we had enough to eat. Our campfire was wonderful by the lake and we played some Halloween games, told some amazing “true” ghost stories.  We heard a loud splash in the lake where we thought we saw monsters and people walking on the water,  We laughed ourselves silly.   Some got smoked out and went to bed and others played Hand and Foot until we couldn’t keep our eyes open anymore. Sunday was another beautiful day and and everyone departed except for  SandyB who stayed a few more days.

Another wonderful weekend camping with TOWNIES!  June

Rain and floods don’t keep TOWN women away.  Our Brushy Creek outing was flooded out, but not June’s house.  Eleven of us enjoyed lots and lots of snacks as always.  There was one four legged creature, but no snacks were allowed.  TOWN women are so generous and gracious to bring snacks and help clean up afterwards.

New Game:  Four women were taught Hand and Foot by our gamester, SusanW.   Apparently it was a fun game, but they were asking questions for a long time and had cards all over the table.  I think it is one of those games that once you learn it, your hooked and it’s easy.  The rest of us enjoyed Mexican Train.

The Mexican Train people decided to go for a walk/hike to Mills Pond.  It was a beautiful day to get outside after all the rain.  The pond/lake was beautiful and overflowing.  We’ll have to hike the entire seven mile trail another time.

Cheers, June

The Classical Mandolin Society of America held its convention Oct. 15 – 18 at the Holiday inn Midtown.  The first night of music featured the Austin Mandolin Orchestra and the Paul Glasse Quartet.  And being the versatile, always ready to experience new adventures TOWNies we are, we had an indoor outing!

Indeed it was an certainly enjoyable:  listening to the Austin Mandolin Orchestra and the Paul Glasse Quartet.   JudieT, NancyP, PennyM (with her friend Margo), and SheliaMcC joined Steve and me for some pretty unusual pieces of music.  As well we had two friends join us there:  Gary and Victor.

The Austin Mandolin Orchestra played 15 – one minute songs most of which were named for Texas native flowers.  I have to admit not all 15 had the most ear appealing notes.  Margo and I jumped several times when keys changed unexpectedly.  Following those 15 songs, we heard five world premieres and their composers were in the audience.  My favorite was Carousel by Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni – quite pleasing to the ear.  Instruments included:  mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars, and a double bass.  In the orchestra are Nancy Lynch, a TOWN-Austin member, who played the mandolin, and Thomas Chapmond, the husband of Gail Penny-Chapmond our kayaking leader, playing the mandocello.

The second feature was the Paul Glasse Quartet which was outstanding, but then I’ve been listening to Paul’s music for likely 20+ years and do love his tunes.  The foursome played selection of Texas swing, jazz, and big band music.  Joining Paul were Mitch Watson (guitar), Gene Elders (violin), and Pat Harris (bass).

Paul is blessed with incredible talents and is a good-natured soul who creates great music.  I truly believe (and I’m not alone) that Paul is the best jazz mandolinist you could ever hope to hear.  Mitch, Gene, Pat, and Paul have performed and recorded together for decades and it’s obvious they enjoy the companionship and performing.

Jacque

On Sunday, Oct. 11, thirteen of us (11 members & 2 guests) gathered at the Violet Crown Trailhead on hwy. 290 at Brodie. Due to the Austin City Limit event in Zilker Park, we hiked in and out from the hwy. 290 trailhead instead of our originally plan to hike from Zilker Park to hwy. 290. The trail is nicely marked with the possible exception of where the bridge has washed out. We had to take a little detour there.   Not much to report in the way of wildlife, but had lots of company with other hikers, bikers and fury friends. Actually, there was a someone walking with their turtle wrapped in a towel along the trail. After all, this is Austin.

The weather was tolerable and insect free. All in all a good hike for a Sunday morning in October in Austin.

Hopefully, we can reschedule the entire trail from Zilker to hwy. 290 in the not to distant future.

Happy Hiking, Jenny

Last Wednesday morning at 8 am it was cool and green at Govalle Park.  Sandy and DonB, DianeN and I were among the few people on the paved bike path.  Sandy and Don had not ridden for awhile and I was post op cataract surgery, so we rode 5 miles and then returned to the park.  Diane went to the Decker Lake end of the trail.

We saw several bunnies, lots of squirrels and I spotted a bobcat with my newly improved eyesight. Sandy and Don could recognize some birds by their songs.   This is a great ride for folks who are reluctant to bicycle through auto traffic.  KatyK

Welcome to new TOWNie Jill E.  She and guest DebbieW joined JudyA and myself heading eastward this week.

All routes (both of them) are scenic, this trip included the amazing downtown skyline toward the hurdles of the bridges, and the green clear outflow from Barton Creek.  The backdrop was a dramatic sky and the possibility of rain.  It was cool on the water, much less muggy, and the drops only started to fall as we headed to our cars.

We didn’t intend to make the trips separate, thanks to JudyA for waiting for the slower paddlers.

It’s not just about the paddling, but the chat and / or silence as we glide by the cypresses along the banks, the other paddlers on the Lake and their different boats, levels of festivity and / or skill. Just this one time, we decided on gong home and an early evening.  LindaF

Last Wednesday morning at 8 am it was cool and green at Govalle Park.  Sandy and DonB, DianeN and I were among the few people on the paved bike path.  Sandy and Don had not ridden for awhile and I was post op cataract surgery, so we rode 5 miles and then returned to the park.  Diane went to the Decker Lake end of the trail.

We saw several bunnies, lots of squirrels and I spotted a bobcat with my newly improved eyesight. Sandy and Don could recognize some birds by their songs.   This is a great ride for folks who are reluctant to bicycle through auto traffic.

Come cycle with us, Katie

It was a lovely night on Lady Bird Lake. The water was calm and there was little traffic on the water. We had a nice, easy paddle around Red Bud Island.

Five TownAustin women (NancyL drove up from San Antonio, LorettaD, LindaF, DebbieW and I) kayaked. We enjoyed visiting and catching up.

The only wild life we saw was a crane fly over head and a few turtles stick their heads out of the water. It was really quiet on the water! We had a nice breeze and were able to be in the shade so the temp was comfortable.

Afterwards we went to Shady Grove for dinner and sat outside.
Gail P-C

Seven TOWN-Austin women (JudyA, CarolC, DianeN, SusanW, LindaF, JillE, me and two friends, PatD and HelenM [from England]) kayaked on Wednesday, 9/23/15 at Lady Bird Lake. What a beautiful night it was! The temp was pleasant and we were in the shade.

We leisurely kayaked around Red Bud Island, often stopping to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. It was really perfect kayak weather! The traffic on the lake was minimal. LindaF altered us to the rowing boats to avoid us getting run over!  DianeN and I did a double kayak with our two guests, who had an absolutely “brilliant” (British term often used by Helen) time!  We found out that Stratford Street off Barton Springs Road is closed due to ACL set up.

Afterwards some of us met at Shady Grove for a bite to eat and visit about trips taken, places lived and possible future trips.

There are only a few more chances for TownAustin women and friends to kayak with a discount at the Rowing Dock before our season ends. Hope to see you the second Wed, Oct 14 and fourth Wed, Oct 28 to kayak Lady Bird Lake.

Hope to see you then!  Gail P-C