Hi All, Our Sunday hike started with 4 TOWNIES, Carolyn, Paula, Jody and me, as well as two Snouties, Waldi and Berta. We were just traveling along, enjoying the perfect weather when I tripped on a branch while carrying Berta, landing on my knee, hip and chipping a tooth. Fortunately, both dogs were fine, but they also landed on the ground with thud. Fortunately, I still am adorable with the chipped tooth as it is in the back of the front tooth. MY knee injury required bandages and the hip was already bruising. I must say I proudly an reporting that my tumble split a rock in the ground! The pups tangled with Paula and Jody who sat on the ground to help me, leaving Carolyn the lone one standing, while she gleefully dispersed medical advice and bandages. We were an odd looking group, 5 down and one standing.

Despite my clumsiness, It was a nice nice with perfect weather and friends! Until Next Time.. Happy Trails, Marsha

Hi All, Seven TOWNIES, Effie, Leigh, Jody, Carolyn, Janice, Debbie and Marsha hiked 4.5 miles today in perfect weather, traversing gentle rolling terrain under clear skies and enveloped by crisp air. Canine Protection Team Waldi and Berta, carried out their duties well, as nare an errant squirrel was seen. I am trying to train the Snouties and I am not sure that is going well, but I must say when I give commands “stay” or “sit”, the TOWNIES respond quickly and obediently. It is incredible to see all 6 hikers sit on the command while the Schnauzers jubilantly remain standing, scanning the horizon for mischief opportunities. Impressive!

I completely missed a possible grave site today, but it was noticed by the other hikers, necessitating a trip back to see a perfectly rectangle grave dug, 2.5′ x 5′ and about 2′ deep. We slyly glanced at each other wondering who could fit in there. Since I am closer to 6′, I felt some relief as I smirked at the shorter hikers. This will certainly demand a weekly progress report.

Until next time… Happy Trails, Marsha

Dogs Rule!

It was certainly a doggie day at Turkey Creek today. I did not count them, but there were definitely more than usual. Four of us met with our dogs to walk and talk and play catch-up: DawnK with Lake, KathleenC with Baby and Mamie, SheliaG with Georgie, and Jacque with Sheba.
Three of us started from the parking lot talking about how long it had been since we had visited. DawnK has retired from full time teaching at the School for the Deaf, her dog Lake is deaf and requires special care, we discussed hearing aids and their cost, the benefits of wearing hearing aids, and cochlear implants; we encountered SheliaG and Georgie after having hiked the high loop, we introduced ourselves and our dogs, Shelia teaches at St. Ed’s and plans to attend our Holiday Party, we were happy to have her join the group, about the same time we ran into Tony and her dog Jackie, Tony had just seen a Ladderback Woodpecker and was quite pleased; then we started discussing camping trips for January – April, camping at McKinney Falls, always a fun time; then the description and excellent taste of Shelley’s brownies consumed after the Violet Crown hike was discussed, Ghirardelli chocolate – hmmm delicious, and to go with that fruit cake with marzipan icing! Life is good!

Come hike with us! We enjoy the trail and folks we encounter! Jacque

Hi All, We started with 9 hikers today, Kim, Jenny, Leigh, Jody, Debbie, Effie, Carolyn, Paula and me, but finished with 8. We still are wondering where Kim is at now. Our Canine Protection Team: Waldi and Berta, didn’t seem too concerned about losing Kim, but we feel that she would be missed if she didn’t show up again. Actually, Kim stumbled and fell and returned early after. Hoping all is well with Kim.

We traveled 4.4 miles in cool weather as we navigated rocky terrain and humidity. This was the first hike of the year and this hike on a great day was a nice reminder of how much TOWNIES can accomplish as a team. Thank you all!

Until next time.. Happy Trails, Marsha

A foggy New Year’s Day morning greeted KathleenC, SarahA, JacqueA with Sheba, JaniceB, CarolynD, GloriaW, and guest ShellyP for a First Day Hike on the Violet Crown Trail. We enjoyed three miles with pleasant temperatures and even pleasanter company. Feet stayed dry as the low water crossings had no water and the sun came out by the time we finished. Afterwards we were all treated to brownies made by Shelly. Although a few self disciplined hikers refrained from eating them, those of us who indulged declared the brownies excellent.

Here is hoping that your new year’s resolution is to spend more time out of doors with your TOWNIE friends! Kathleen

Hey TOWNies! Such a fine day hiking the trails and fording the creeks! Six of us met in the parking lot with 3 pups – EffieK, KathleenC with Baby and Mamie, KobyF and daughter MikalaF, StephanieN, and Jacque with Sheba – to walk and talk and hug!

Topics varied greatly: StephanieN and her family had been in Colorado skiing, she pretended to fall for a video, her family is headed for a cruise in ’23, they flew Southwest and did not have a delay and arrived home with luggage – a miracle! Mikala heard how pleased we were to see her, how light she is on her feet, she is 14 years old and willing to hike with us; Kathleen talked about the hike she will lead January 1st on the Velvet Crown Trail, her Christmas company canceled but she still received a delicious fruit cake, breaking her arm bicycling several years ago, and having too many tamales to consume; Koby is considering hiking on Wednesday more frequently if possible, the rock with falls that broke off in Round Rock, and we thanked her for making the reservation for our Celebration TOWN scheduled for October 29, 2023; Effie shared there is a bit of Covid in her family and that she definitely dislikes the cold and maintains coats and layers to wear with each 10 degree difference in the weather, several of us agreed we need to do the same; Jacque talked about Fiona and her progress, family visited on both Christmas Eve and Day, begin chosen for the Master Naturalist Member Spotlight for December, and how much she enjoys hiking with the TOWNies!

Come join us! We have fun together and definitely enjoy visiting! Jacque

Hi All, The weather was almost perfect for the 8.16 TOWNIES that traveled the greenbelt trails today. Jenny, Paula, Kim, Jody, Leigh, Effie, Debbie and me, all protected by Waldi and Berta, the Snoutie Canine Protection Team, covered a nice variety of terrains, including a few inclines, aka hills. Berta needs to be carried up steep routes as she gives the beautiful Schnauzer look to her admiring fans to lift her up and carry. What a faker. Carolyn joined us for the last 400 yards and wanted to be counted in the full hike, but really, that is not possible under rigorous TOWNIE protocol. She used the poor excuse of recovering from an illness.

Holiday plans were discussed and menus shared as the eager anticipation of the holidays with loved ones slowly marches towards us. Or maybe, marches too fast. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child, and perhaps that is true, but it takes a TOWN to recover from a head injury. Thank you all for supporting me as I pray and hold the hand of the one I love.

Until next time.. Happy Trails, Marsha

HI All, We had a nice gaggle of TOWNIES today, 10, Carolyn, Janice, Effie (Welcome Back!), Jacque (Welcome Back!), Paula, Jody, Leigh, Debbie, Kim and me. It may have been more dangerous than we thought as we had three canine protectors, Waldi, Berta and Sheba. It was the first time they met and got along well. It was nice to have help and protection against those falling leaves. We covered 4.1- 4.8 miles depending on the tracker that was used. We all agreed that 4.8 was probably more accurate, especially during the holiday season and the eggnog. We followed the greenbelt near the creek due to the overnight rain which left great humidity and minimal mud. It seems that the Schnauzers are making up for that now as they are in the backyard, digging holes to track in mud. What a day ahead.

I am extremely grateful to TOWNIES as Carolyn and I suffered a great family tragedy and the TOWNIES rallied to support us, especially me while I have been sitting bedside, with dog care and mud floor cleanup. I had no idea that joining TOWN would bring the miracle of friendship.

Until next time… Happy Trails, Marsha

Jacque A and I had a nice evening strolling around this funky little neighborhood looking at the quirky light displays. It was an unseasonably warm and pleasant evening. We sampled a vegan cupcake baked by one of the neighbors: Mexican chocolate/orange flavor and Jacque found a cute handheld ballon with lights for her granddaughter. So nice to visit and chat about upcoming events as we took in the weirdness of Austin.

Happy Holidays everyone! Marie W

Hi All, We had a large herd of TOWNIES today, Carolyn, Jenny, Leigh, Jody, Debbie, Janice, Kim and me, all protected by the ferocious canine team of Snoutie Security, Inc., Waldi and Berta, as we traveled 4.3 miles in cool weather and very little mud. Baby Berta needed some carrying over rocky terrain but that was our only slow spell on the otherwise nice hike. Jenny begged for hills so we had a nice climb today and some flat areas. There was little wildlife except for a large bird, probably a 90 lb. hawk that frightened us.

Upon our return, the TOWNIES helped me move an outdoor bench as I am installing a playhouse for the dogs since they are diggers. It will be filled with dirt and protected from the wet, and hopefully, less mud. My futile wish is that they will dig in the house and let the 33 holes in my yard fill back in after their intense excavation. I did not charge the TOWNIES for additional cross-training. Carolyn and Jenny gallantly either forgot or left the hike early to avoid the 12 second weight training excursion.

Until next time.. Happy Trails, Marsha