Ongoing Events - 2009

Each Saturday in the month - Kayak at 9am

Saturday kayaking will take place at different locations. Please email June or call at 922-5718 to participate. The weekly email reminder to the Yahoo group will include detailed information about location, time, and leader.

Organized Saturday kayaking will be announced as the weather permits. Feel free to organize a kayak outing and announce it via the Yahoo group. Plenty of us will kayak in the chilly weather.

If you participate in Saturday kayaking with TOWN-Austin, you must wear a PFD/lifejacket.

Beginner Kayak Paddling Lessons - will resume in spring 2010.

If you participate in beginner paddling lessons with TOWN-Austin on Wednesday evenings, you must wear a PFD/lifejacket.

Kayak Paddles - Wednesday evenings - 6:00 pm - will resume in spring 2010.

If you kayak with TOWN-Austin on Wednesday evenings, you must wear a PFD/lifejacket. No kayaker will be left behind.

NOVEMBER

Sunday November 1 Hike Reimers Ranch 10am Adults only for this hike; no kids or pets please. Entrance fee per car is $8.

Howdy Hikers,

Let's take advantage of the cooler weather and go check out the newest Travis County Park: Reimer's Ranch.  (Don't forget about the time change, we are Fall-ing back, so we gain an hour on Sunday morning.) Bring sturdy shoes, water, snacks, hat, walking stick...whatever you usually bring when you walk around outside.  Adults only for this hike...I have never been out to Reimer's Ranch and I am not sure what the terrain is like...so no kids or pets. So let's get out there and explore the park.

Travis County Milton Reimers Ranch Park is approximately 30 miles southwest of Austin. Take Highway 71 west of Austin through the town of Bee Cave and turn left onto FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road). Travel 12 miles to the Park entrance, on your right.
23610 Hamilton Pool Rd
Dripping Springs, TX 78620-2854
(512) 264-1923

For more info:
www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/reimers_ranch.asp

I'm not sure what the terrain is like...this will be an exploratory mission.  So if you don't have anything going on this Sunday and would like to check out Reimer's Ranch, join me for a walk.  Email me directly at Jenn so I can put you on my list.  As usual, I will be checking the weather and will update you later in the week.

Thursday - Sunday November 5 - 8 Camping at Guadalupe River State Park Everyone is welcome.

I have reserved a campsite for Thursday through Saturday nights at this park. They have many more sites available. We will be able to enjoy the cool weather, a 9 am Saturday tour at Honey Creek SNA, and kayaking/canoeing. There are also equestrian and mountain bike trails in the park.
Please contact MarilynF if you'd like an update and to stay informed about this trip.
I know there is a busy Goliad SP outing this same weekend: I just need to stay closer to home. Hope you'll join me.

Friday - Sunday November 6 - 8 7th Annual Goliad Flotilla, Canoe Trail Goliad at the Goliad State ParkTOWNies, spouses, and dogs invited.

This is a Canoe Trail Goliad event http://canoetrailgo liad.com

I will coordinate our activities while we are at the state park for Fri and Sat and then the paddling 6.5 miles in the San Antonio River will be Sun a.m. follow by a free lunch. I will be leaving Goliad about 2 or 3 p.m. on Sunday.

If you are coming with an RV, make camping reservation at the Goliad State Park. If you have a tent maybe we can share a site with an RV. Email Adela for questions or to RSVP.

Make your reservations NOW! for the park.

Canoe Trail Goliad  This is a FREE event but you have to sign up for it after Oct 1 for the Nov 8 flotilla. To sign up e-mail Janie Holcombe: kccanoe@aol. com.

Sunday November 8 Hiking at Inks Lake State Park time 11:30am - 4:30pmTOWN Ladies and their Friends. Children and well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Fee is $5 a person for day use.

Inks Lake State Park is located at 3630 Park Road 4 West in Burnet TX 78611. The phone number is 512/793-2223

Where to meet:  Trail head parking area just past the main gate. I will be camping at the park with friends, so I will meet the group at the parking area. We will start the hike at 11:40, this gives us time for the paper work part.

Things to bring: Water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, comfortable hiking shoes, and layered clothing.

Terrain, Intensity and Distance:  The trails are crushed granite to granite rock and the steepness varies throughout the trails. You might have to scramble around or over some rock out-crops, but over all I would say it’s a medium to mild hike.  The plan is to hike the 6 or so mile loop trails around Pecan Flats area.

Links:  Park Info and maps.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4507_015k.pdf
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/fee.phtml

Point Of Cantact: To participate or for questions, contact Vanessa.

Sunday November 15 Hiking at St. Ed's City Park 10am TOWN women and canines invited.

Howdy Hikers! Let's go check out St Ed's park together.  I have been out to St. Ed's a couple of times now and I am very impressed with this park.

Bring sturdy walking/hiking shoes, water, snacks, hat, walking stick, sunscreen ... the usual stuff.

The park consists of two parts, one park and one preserve. The portion of the park on the north side of Bull Creek resides within the City of Austin parks system. South of the creek, the park operates under the somewhat more stringent rules of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve system, which among other things mandates that dogs be on leashes.

Getting there: The park resides on both sides of Bull Creek along Spicewood Springs Road west of Capital of Texas Highway. There are two parking areas for the park. From Hwy 360, take Spicewood Springs west for about two miles. Be on the lookout on the left for a small parking area to the left with a white mailbox. At this spot there is parking for at most 4-5 cars parked parallel to the road. Alternatively, proceed down Spicewood Springs for at most a quarter mile and look for a larger parking area on the left. This parking area can hold about 15 cars.  We will meet at this second parking area. 

Duration: Probably around 2-2.5 hours.

Length:  3 miles, roughly

Intensity: Some ups and downs, nothing too strenuous.  Generally not for beginners, but if you are in okay shape, I wouldn't worry.

More info:
http://www.austinex plorer.com/ Hiking/HikeDetai ls.aspx?HikeID= 50

more specific info regarding the hill trail:
http://www.austinex plorer.com/ Hiking/HikeDetai ls.aspx?HikeID= 350

To participate, RSVP by contacting Jenn .

Thursday - Sunday November 17 - 22 Festival of the Cranes Socorro, NM Everyone is invited. This event has been cancelled.

Hi, ladies: I propose this trip to replace a Big Bend outing. Let me know if I should place you on "the list."

This outing is to the enchanting Festival of the Cranes in Socorro, NM, celebrating the annual migration of the sandhill cranes and thousands of other birds. The Fest is from Nov. 17-22 and is held at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Please check out last fall's website for sample programs, http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane/index.html

I was in the Socorro area many years ago when the festival was about to begin, and I was astounded by the number of waterbirds in these marshy plains of the Rio Grande River. Socorro is a gorgeous sandstone redrock area, and there may be lots of additional outdoor activities we could enjoy.

I will send registration information in September--the folks there are not prepared to hear from us, yet! At that later date I will find out more about registering as a group and details you may need. Looks like the costs will vary a lot depending on which workshops you sign up for and how many days and meals you plan to enjoy.

I will take my Casita and leave Austin on Friday the 13th and probably spend 2 or 3 nights getting there, arriving at Bird Watchers RV Park on Nov. 17-20 (4 nights). My original dates were incorrect. I will drive home again before Thanksgiving.

Festival of the Cranes
Bosque del Apache NWR
http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane/index.html
Nov. 17-22, 2009
Leave Nov 13, return the 24th or so

Schedule: Fest begins Monday, Nov. 17
arrive at campground Mon night
Fest and activities Mon. thru Sun.
1st choice for camping in the area:
BIRD WATCHERS RV PARK
San Antonio, NM 87832
575.835.1366
30 RV Sites
30 RV Hookups
10 Tent Sites
RSVP to Marilyn please.

Thursday November 19 Board Meeting 6pm
The TOWN board meets upstairs at Central Market on Lamar. Email Jacque if there is a specific topic you would like to bring to the board's attention.

Thursday - Sunday November 19 - 22 Campout at Inks Lake State Park Includes all the TOWN femmes, family, friend, feline, and canines.

I am so surprised I could get a camping spot at Inks Lake!  As of today (10/19) there are 30 spaces left for those days. Amazing! This is the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Let's enjoy another lake outing, campfires, and congeniality at our beautiful Inks Lake State Park, just north of Marble Falls.
I will send details about food and events in a later email.

Please respond the MarilynF.

Saturday November 21 Celebrate TOWN! at Brushy Creek Lake Park TOWN-Austin members, their families, partners, friends, and leashed pets are included.

We have reserved the Cedar Pavilion beginning at 9am until 6pm.  (Cost is $100 – paid by TOWN-Austin.  Cedar Park Rec Dept. refunded our original deposit).   Picnic tables will accommodate 50 folks.  Restrooms are nearby.   Parking is free.  For park details, visit Cedar Park’s website                 http://www.cedarparktx.us/cp/pr_bclp.aspx

Note this is Brushy Creek Lake Park         located on Parmer Lane.

Schedule of events:     11am               Hiking

                                    12:30               Lunch               Bring a potluck dish to share and your drink please.

                                    2:30pm            Kayaking          Details re: kayak rentals are below.

Items TOWN-Austin will provide:  hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, mustard, mayo, onions, chips, cheese, drinking water, cups, plastic-ware, charcoal, and paper goods.

Items members are expected to provide:                 pot luck dish to share with serving utensil, your choice of drink, and a (just-in-case lawn chair)

Alcohol policy:           City of Cedar Park – Park and Recreation Department guidelines allow alcohol.

Volunteers needed:               We need volunteers for set-up, clean-up, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs.

Please contact Jacque to RSVP and volunteer.  Please RSVP before Wednesday, November 18th, so we may complete the needed purchases.

Activities
Activities available include:  a playscape, sand volleyball, nature trail, exercise station, labyrinth trail, birding trail, wildlife overlook, fishing pier (see details below), kayak and canoe launch area, kayak rental (see details below), Brush Creek Regional Trail (see details below), and bocce courts.  Please note the water playscape is shown on the illustrative map, but that will close for the year effective September.

Regarding the fishing pier:  fishing is governed by TPWD.  Visit this site                http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/general/fish_licenses/  to determine is you or your family members need a license.

 Visit this site for details regarding the biking trail.  This is where I will be!                http://www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/ParksandRecreation/BrushyCreekTrail/tabid/795/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Link to reserve a kayak is                   http://www.rowpaddlebrushycreek.com/         The phone # is 809-8916.  Darla usually answers the phone.  The cost to reserve a one-person sit-on-top kayak is $10/hour; cost for a two-person sit-on-top kayak is $15/hour.  Talk with Darla about a 10% discount if you reserve your kayak early.

Sunday November 22 Introduction to Scuba Diving 1:30 - 4pm Women only please.

Ever wonder what it would be like to scuba dive?  Tom's Dive and Swim has generously agreed to conduct an introduction to scuba class for TOWN.  The class would consist of an introduction to scuba equipment, learn a couple of skills, trying on equipment and swimming around.  Please note that this is not a certification course, merely a "getting to know you" sort of low pressure gathering.  You will need a swim suit and towel.

Location:
Tom's Dive and Swim http://www.tomsscuba.com/index.php/home (check out the photo gallery!)
5909 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757
(near the 7-11 at the North-East corner of Burnet and 2222 (Koenig Lane) in Austin
(512) 451-3425

Tuesday November 24 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm in conference room 225 of the new LCRA Redbud Center. Join us for a pot-luck dinner, yearly elections, and an opportunity to visit. We will have photos of outings available. If you have free outdoor-related items that you no longer use and want to give them away, bring them. Bring books for an exchange. Books do not have to be outdoor related.

Friday - Sunday November 27 - 29 Renaissance Festival Outing This event is open to everyone, but please see details below. No pets allowed.

It is time for the Renaissance Festival again. Tickets at the gate are $21.00 or you can buy advanced tickets for $16.00 before September 25 at this link http://www.texrenfest.com/home.html .  You can also purchase tickets locally at HEB and Randalls for $19.00.

This weekend is Celtic Christmas Weekend. I will be going to the festival on Friday and Saturday. There is a special price of $12.00 for Friday if you order online or by phone.  At the gate the tickets are $23.00.  If you purchase your tickets by September  25th, they are $16.00. 

The whole festival is themed in the Old St. Nicholas Christmas theme and it quite beautiful.  See the link I have enclosed below for all of the activities. During the day this is a kid friendly event.  Towards the evening you will see more risqué costumes and behavior so I just want you to be aware.  

For those who want lodging in a motel/hotel check out the link as there is a list with phone numbers that you can call to make reservations.  This is a very popular event as people from Oklahoma and Louisiana attend.  So I suggest you make reservations early, you can always cancel them.

Camping: Is on site and is first come first serve.  You are camping in large fields that are relatively flat. No reservations required and the cost is $20.00 per vehicle for the whole weekend (Fri, Sat and Sun night).  There is no electricity, water or dump stations available.  This is why I chose this date because it should be cool at night.  Tents and campers allowed and you can run a generator if you choose.  Some people sleep out in the open under the stars.  Porta Potties are available. There is a Quick Mart in the camping area where you can buy ice, drinks and snacks.

I will be arriving Thursday after lunch to set up my camper.  I will mark out an area so we can all try to camp together.  I will be camping near the Fire Ring.  This area can be noisy at night as people party into the early hours of the morning.  My suggestion is to bring ear plugs to sleep if noise bothers you or there is a quiet/family side (which I find interesting since it is next to the rail road track and there will be 3 trains the come rumbling through each night) but it is away from the party area.

Please RSVP to Paulette if you are coming, your cell number and if you are camping or coming for the day. Please let me know if you have any questions. Saturday night we will be having Chicken and Sausage gumbo around the campfire after our fun day.

Things that you can bring if you are camping, firewood, tiki torches, mosquito repellant, all food and drink, costume, chairs, alcohol is allowed, trash bags, portable table.

Saturday November 28 Downtown Historical Walk time TBD

Join us to walk and learn more about our downtown Austin. More details soon. To participate, RSVP by contacting CarolC .

DECEMBER

Saturday December 5 Hike Turkey Creek time TBD

Join us to hike and investigate this county park. More details soon. To participate, RSVP by contacting Nance.

Friday - Monday December 11 - 14 Annual Christmas Season Campout at Lake Belton All are welcome including pets, however pets must be on leashes at all times.

Annual Christmas Campout! Join TOWN Austin and the new TOWN Bastrop for a Christmas campout at beautiful Belton Lake, at the Cedar Ridge Campground; an Army Corp Engineer facility overlooking the beautiful Lake Belton.

Paulette Boudreaux will cook chicken and sausage gumbo one night, and we will eat out one night.

The lights at BLORA recreational area near Ft. Hood are fun to see.  It is a 1/1.5 mile drive through event that costs about $5/car. We'll carpool.

Other activities include campfires, kayaking, birdwatching, walking around (as the park is large), and fishing.

Street bikes can go on the roads, and some brave souls like to mountain bike at BLORA.

The shelters are also available now, having been recently redone.  They are in a different part of the park, but driveable distance, or in biking range. We have reserved the group room for meals and playing games, and for warmth!

Sites do go fairly fast.  Beverly and Paulette will be in the FIRS area. Call 1.877.444.6777 or go to Recreation.gov to make your reservations.

Contact Beverly or Paulette with any questions.
PLEASE RSVP IF YOU ARE ATTENDING - Beverly btravis@hot.rr.com or Paulette pboudreaux@eccwireless.com

Here is the informational link to the campground:
http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?topTabIndex=CampingSpot&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71077

Here is the driving directions and address to the campground:
Getting There:
Cedar Ridge (TX)
3790 Cedar Ridge Park Rd.

Temple TX 76502

From I-35 in Temple Texas, take State Hwy 36 west towards Gatesville. Turn left on Cedar Ridge Park Road and follow into park.

If you need to call the park directly, here is their phone number:
Phone Park for More Information:
Information: (254)986-1404

Saturday December 12 Bright Leaf time TBD

Join us to hike and investigate this county park. More details soon. To participate, RSVP by contacting CarolC.

Thursday December 17 Board Meeting 6pm
The TOWN board meets at location TBD. Email Jacque if there is a specific topic you would like to bring to the board's attention.

Sunday December 19 Hike Wild Basin time TBD

Join us to hike and investigate this county park. More details soon. To participate, RSVP by contacting CarolynD.

Tuesday December Monthly Meeting
Please note we do not meet in December. See you in January!

Sunday December 27 Hike Town Lake - (the Whole Enchilada) time TBD/afternoon

Join us to hike and investigate this county park. More details soon. To participate, RSVP by contacting CarolC.

JANUARY 2010

Friday - Sunday January 8 - 10 Holiday Party at McKinney Falls State Park

Hey TOWNies!

It’s not too early to reserve your camping site for our annual Holiday Party at McKinney Falls State Park.  The party dates are Friday – Sunday, January 8-10, 2010.  Yes, that’s correct – the year is 2010 and it’s the second weekend of January.  (We moved the party from the 1st weekend to the 2nd due to New Year’s Eve.)

I just made my camp site reservations today by calling 512-389-8900.  I was put into a call back queue and a TPWD representative called me back in < 8 minutes to complete my reservation.  Actually, I made my reservation for January 7-10, 2010.  The reservation process required less than 1 minute once we started.

Just FYI, we have the dining hall reserved for January 8th and 9th so we can eat, play games, etc. out of any bad weather.

Make your reservations early to insure you get a camp site.

That’s it for now!  We’ll have more details as the date approaches.
Contact Jacque to RSVP or for questions.

Sunday January 24 Thank YOU for Our Outing Leaders

The Board voted to support a thank you outing for those TOWN-Austin members who (during 2009):  led/assisted with outings or served on the Board.  You will notice there is still plenty of time to lead an outing during October – December and be included in this Thank You event.  If you want a co-leader, contact a Board members.  We are very happy to lead with someone and plenty dates remain available.

The members invited to this outing are your leaders, the ones who make our activities possible and such fun.

The Thank You outing is scheduled for Sunday, January 24th (2010).  We will probably attend a movie at the IMAX and have a late lunch or early dinner at a restaurant to be determined.  The plans are subject to change as I check movie listings, etc.

There are running rampant rumors that the Thank You outing will be held in Las Vegas (Nevada).  And though the thought was given serious consideration of about three minutes (and generated laughter), Austin instead will benefit from our economic boost.

Contact Jacque if you led an 2009 outing and have not been contacted.

Tuesday January 26 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be long time TOWN supporter Ashley Matthews who will share her Greece kayaking experience with us. Come join us and bring a friend!.

FEBRUARY

Tuesday February 23 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be Paulette Boudreaux who will share her experiences as a Master Naturalist. Come join us and bring a friend!.

MARCH

Thursday - Wednesday March 11 - 17 Camping, Kayaking, and Hiking at Inks Lake State Park (Spring Break) This outing is open to all TOWNers, their families, partners, pets, and friends.

Knowing these dates are during Spring Break (the SXSW conference, and the Rodeo, and UIL), and knowing how nice it is to leave town then, and knowing how much we love Inks Lake, as well as the BBQ and pie nearby, I hope you will join me for a campout with daily kayaking and friendship.

I am not usually this compulsive about dates, but knowing how quickly campsites at Inks disappear, I decided to go ahead and book my site. For a fee of $5 you can cancel your online reservations if you find you can't make it, but think about making the decision soon, while spots are still available.

I will send details as soon as I think some up! Let me know if you're interested. To RSVP or for questions, contact Marilyn.

Tuesday March 23 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be Denise Rogers who is a Board member of Environmental Stewardship which is a charitable non-profit organization whose purposes are to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the earth's natural resources to meet current and future needs of the environment and humans. This will prepare us for involvement in Earth Day! Come join us and bring a friend!

APRIL

Tuesday April 27 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be Donna Toomay who will lead us in creating a compact first aid kit we can easily carry on hikes and campouts. Come join us and bring a friend!

MAY

Tuesday May 25 Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be Beverly Travis who will lead us in creating a compact survival kit we can easily carry on hikes and campouts. Come join us and bring a friend!

JUNE

Tuesday June Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm
Pizza snacks at 6PM, followed by our short business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Our speaker will be Jessica Wilson who is a Program Manager for Keep Austin Beautiful. Come join us and bring a friend!

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER