Slightly more women canceled for our outing on Wednesday 13 July than those who pushed off from the Rowing Dock.   However, those were TOWNies who remembered that Lady Bird Lake is quite a bit cooler than the temperatures being blared that day on the news outlets.  Most in need of a cool outing was intrepid outing-leader herself, Jacque A, who had been at Turkey Creek in the morning, was looking a little pink, and who wisely stuck to the shady side of the Lake.  Stephanie N, Gloria W, and Linda N, leading from behind, all headed toward Redbud Island.  Without crowds and noise we were free to proceed at our own pace and enjoyed the sounds from the wildlife on either side of the Lake.   Having a Master Naturalist along was an unusual privilege.  I don’t recall we saw any neon skimmers, but thanks to Jacque and Stephanie, we have an official wildlife  count.  One Great Blue Heron allowed us the unusual view of him from nearly underneath as he stood on a branch, and another was further along.  There were two Vultures, and one Great Egret, male and female Mallards, and a Northern Cardinal.  We had a lovely cruise, sliding through the green tree-lined waterway two by two, under the bridge and around to the wide area in front of the dam.  And on our return, admiring the roots of the cypress trees on Redbud Island, and the towering cliffs below the houses  along Stratford Drive.  Hula Hut is too raucous, we are looking for some new ideas for our suppers.  Surely Shady Grove will be the Most Missed Restaurant in the Chronicle’s current poll.  Our next evening outing is with Gloria on the 27th of July, and this week our nearly Gone Girl Gail is leading on Thursday the 21st at 9:30 am.  In August, we are considering  starting daytime outings a little earlier.  LindaF