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An Allandale scavenger hunt: Aliens, ducks, a giant spider and more!

An Allandale scavenger hunt: Aliens, ducks, a giant spider and more!

by | Apr 16, 2020 | Blog

I’ve lived in the Allandale neighborhood for more than 20 years, but until the past few months had no idea we were home to an alien landing site.

Sure, I knew about the Spider Tree, but had never quite noticed the stump full of little ducks. It turns out that we’re home to all kinds of quirky and interesting distractions, from an orange-and-white cat that serves as mayor of one street to a bicycle that supports a mailbox on another.

Here’s a scavenger hunt to help you discover some new treasures in our neighborhood during the city’s shelter-in-place order. They’re all located in an area bordered by Loop 1 MoPac to the west, Burnet Road to the east, Foster Lane to the north, and Koenig Lane to the south.

Stuck? Email pamleblancadventures@gmail.com for the locations of anyplace you can’t find.

1. Bob the Cat is the mayor of his street in Allandale. He’s even got his own sign! 

 

2. Aliens have invaded this site in Allandale, and if you ask nicely, they’ll take you home with them.

 

A closeup of the aliens, which appear friendly but a little worn from their travels.

 

 3. This bicycle was repurposed as a mailbox support. And if you look closely, you’ll notice a tiny duck sitting on the top.

 

 4. The giant Spider Tree wears different decorations for different holidays. 

 

 5. A flock of little ducks makes its home on a big stump. 

 

 

 6. Everyone is welcome to sit a while on this colorful bench. Pam LeBlanc photo

 

 7. A wooden bike and pedestrian bridge makes it easy to get around our neighborhood. 

 

8. Huge mutant butterflies have landed on the side of a house in our neighborhood.

 

 9. This old cemetery in Allandale dates back to at least 1851. 

 

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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More backyard gear testing: The Marmot Limelight tent

More backyard gear testing: The Marmot Limelight tent

by | Apr 15, 2020 | Blog

Our palatial new Marmot Limelight tent set up in our backyard in the Allandale neighborhood of Austin. Pam LeBlanc photo

Last year, during a January trip to Big Bend Ranch State Park, my husband and I set up our tent at a group camp site, about 20 yards from our truck, just as a massive cold front blew in.

I hunkered under a blanket as Chris grilled steaks, and we retreated to the truck to eat dinner. Then, as temperatures dropped into the 30s and a stiff wind buffeted our 10-year-old tent, we made a run for it. We flopped onto the huge inflatable mattress we’d tucked inside our tent, and attempted to sleep.

The aging Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 3 didn’t hold up, though. The seals along the zipper delaminated, and the wind howled through the now-gaping side flaps of the tent. Then, our inflatable mattress slowly caved in as the hours ticked on. Sometime around 1 a.m., I awoke, flat on the ground, shivering, the mattress deflated.

I expect to suffer a tad when I’m backpacking. I sacrifice luxury for weight, and besides, I’m so tired when I crawl in my tent that I don’t notice I’m sleeping on sharp rocks.

Look how much room in here! And since this is “car camping,” we pulled out the heavy and non-technical sleeping stuff. Chris LeBlanc photo

But when I car camp, I want a modicum of wilderness luxury. I like a bigger tent and a thicker sleeping pad. And I don’t want to wind up flat on the ground.

That old tent had taken us on some wonderful trips, but it was time for a replacement. Last night we tested our new car-camping setup in the backyard, in Round 2 of my shelter-in-place gear-testing adventure.

This time we popped up a new three-person Marmot Limelight tent (https://www.marmot.com/limelight-3-person-tent-27940.html) and puffed up a thick queen-sized air mattress (the pump that came with it sucked; we had to call in reinforcements) that we ordered separately from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CWZE642/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

The tent? Amazing. Cavernous. Completely screened in on top, so if you remove the fly you can sleep while stargazing. Zippered entryways on two sides, roll-back flaps, pockets for stowing stuff like glasses and books, and a lovely russet color.

The tent was pretty basic to set up, but not as easy as our tiny backpacking tent (a Big Agnes Copper Spur). It’s big, and that made it a little tougher to wrangle.

One thing I noticed? More road noise last night. When I camped two weeks ago, I hardly heard a passing car on Loop 1 Mopac. More people are venturing out late at night, during the shelter-in-place order, apparently.

The best part of last night’s experience? Waking up this morning, rolling over to grab a few more minutes of snooze time, then staggering into the house, where Chris had already prepared a plate of bacon, fried eggs and grits, the perfect camper’s breakfast, for me.

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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People are creating their own home gyms while sheltering in place

People are creating their own home gyms while sheltering in place

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Blog

I can’t swim with my team right now, but I can do pull-ups on the tree in my front yard. Chris LeBlanc photo

My normal fitness routine screeched to a halt early last month, when Western Hills Athletic Club suspended swim practices and temporarily shut the pool.

Since then I’ve been mainly riding my bike and running. I feel like I’m losing upper body strength that I worked hard for, though, so I’m trying to incorporate other exercises into my routine.

This morning I channeled my inner monkey, and after pedaling 15 miles on my bike, I did some pull-ups from the tree in my front yard.

With gyms closed, parks shuttered and trails off limits, we’re all entering new territory when it comes to staying fit. I put out a call this morning, asking people to submit photos of home gyms they’ve put together since shelter-in-place orders came down.

Here are a few of photos shared by readers…

Kiana and Iram Leon drag giant tires, do jumping jacks and hop off and on a wooden box to stay fit.

Iram Leon and his daughter, Kiana, have made their own outdoor gym complete with a gigantic tire for lugging and a wooden box to jump on and off. They supplement that with plenty of running (Leon is president of Austin Runners Club) and jumping jacks.

Sheila Reiter made a home gym by rolling out a mat and gathering up some hand weights and an exercise ball. She’s also got an indoor bike trainer.

Sheila Reiter, my Texas Water Safari paddling teammate, rolled out a mat and gathered some weights and an exercise ball to create her version of a home gym. She’s rides her bike before the sun comes up some days, but also uses an indoor bike trainer, because she’s finding it harder and harder to cycle while maintaining a proper social distance on the hills where she likes to train.

Al White borrowed equipment from his gym and still works out with a coach – virtually.

Al White says his gym, Infinite Fitness, let him take home whatever equipment he needed, and he’s now doing Zoom sessions with his coach to stay on track.

Emily Werbow turned a mini-tramp into a mini-gym.

Emily Werbow has arranged a mini-tramp, a bunch of hula hoops and an exercise ball on her back patio.

Dan Driscoll tunes in to virtual workouts, but his cat doesn’t care.

Dan Driscoll is working out with his friends virtually, too, but it looks like his cat just doesn’t get it.

Cate Brookes Sweeney transformed her back balcony into a mini-gym.

New mom Cate Brooks Sweeney rolled out a mat on her balcony, and put her laptop on a chair so she can participate in workouts virtually. When she’s done exercising, she uses the area as a toddler outdoor sensory area.

Courtney Lyons-Garcia is doing high intensity interval training sessions in her home garage, too.

Courtney Lyons-Garcia is working out in her garage.

Massage therapist Kiplimo Chemirmir set up what he calls his “Lil Warriors den,” with an assortment of rollers, kettlebells, balls and hand weights.

Jennifer Leduc does her Camp Gladiator workouts from home.

Jennifer Leduc is following her Camp Gladiator workouts from the comfort of her porch.

Christopher Maynard’s boys have created a ninja warrior course in the back yard.

And Christopher Maynard’s boys have created a ninja warrior course in the backyard that they change up daily.

To see all the submissions, go to the Pamela LeBlanc page on FaceBook.

 

 

 

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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All Texas State Parks to close today

All Texas State Parks to close today

by | Apr 7, 2020 | Blog

This from Texas State Parks this morning:

Marcy Stellfox relaxes during a hike at Devils River State Natural Area in 2017. Pam LeBlanc photo

Texas State Parks Temporarily Close to the Public

AUSTIN—At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7 in order to maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers and staff. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will announce when a definite reopening date has been determined.

“Given the myriad of challenges and heightened risks of operating the parks at this time, we believe this is the best course of action right now in order to meet the health and safety expectations the state has set out for the citizens of Texas,” said Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. “All state parks will remain temporarily closed until public health and safety conditions improve. During the closure, staff will continue to steward and care for the parks to ensure they can be immediately reopened to visitors at the appropriate time.”

Outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, biking, jogging, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and the like are essential activities for Texas citizens. TPWD will continue to do its part to actively encourage and promote these opportunities in ways that are safe and close to home, said Smith.

Through this trying time, TPWD has worked diligently to facilitate access to the outdoors across the state, including in the state park system, which hosted nearly 740,000 day and overnight visitors throughout the month of March.

Despite the implementation of increasingly restrictive visitor use measures to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19 at parks, TPWD has reached a point where public safety considerations of those in the parks, and in the surrounding communities, must take precedence over continued operations.  Difficulty in ensuring compliance with social distancing, problems in maintaining adequate supplies and keeping park facilities sufficiently sanitized are only a few of the challenges encountered by state park staff.

Marcy Stellfox naps in a hammock at Devils River State Natural Area. Pam LeBlanc photo

While parks are closed to the public, staff will be working to help maintain the standard upkeep, maintenance, stewardship, and continued regular cleaning of site facilities.

The Texas State Parks Customer Service Center is currently working toward contacting customers with upcoming overnight reservations to reimburse stays booked through the reservation system. Group and facility reservations have been cancelled until April 30. Cancelled reservations will not be charged normal administrative fees.

Day passes purchased through the reservation system, not associated to the Texas State Parks Pass, will also be refunded without penalties. The Texas State Parks Customer Service Center will automatically process cancellations of both overnight and day-use reservations. If your reservation is impacted by a facility or park closure, a Customer Service Center agent will contact you – you do not need to contact us. We are contacting customers in order of arrival date and appreciate your patience.

Questions regarding state park reservations can be emailed to customer.service@tpwd.texas.gov and general park information can be found at TexasStateParks.org. 

 

 

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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Join a Backyard Bird Count on April 15

Join a Backyard Bird Count on April 15

by | Apr 6, 2020 | Blog

A flock of cedar waxwings perch in a tree near Blanco. Pam LeBlanc photo

Here from the quasi-confinement of my Allandale home in Central Austin, I’ve been noticing the birds lately.

One reason? Less traffic hum means I actually hear nature. I woke up a 5 a.m. and instead of the buzz of traffic on nearby MoPac, I listened to a chorus of tree frogs and early-rising birds. During the day, I’ve spotted flocks of noisy, electric green Monk parakeets (a non-native species started by escaped pets in the 1970s), a few red-tailed hawks scanning for rodents, a screech owl or two, and a high-flying blue heron.

During these shelter-in-place days, Travis Audubon is encouraging people to take a closer look at what’s perched in the tree branches just outside their doors.

A cardinal in an oak tree near Castell, Texas. Pam LeBlanc photo

The non-profit organization’s annual spring Birdathon – during which avid birders team up and compete to see how many birds they can spot in a single outing – has been postponed until the fall migration. Instead, they’ve scheduled an hour-long Backyard Bird Count for Wednesday, April 15. From 8-9 a.m., head out onto your back porch, or a nearby green space, and make a list of each species you see. Include the location where you saw each bird, the number of individuals you saw or heard, and email it to volunteer@travisaudubon.org.

The submissions will be compiled to create  a snaphot of the birds seen around Central Texas at the same time on the same day in 2020.

Even beyond the backyard bird count, now’s a good time to pay attention to the birdlife. (This New York Times story explains how the bird population of North America has dropped by 29 percent in the past half century https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/science/bird-populations-america-canada.html.)

“The good thing about birds is they’re really kind of all over the place,” says Rich Kostecke, director of research and planning at the Nature Conservancy in Texas. “Even if you just got out into your backyard, you’re likely going to see some birds, and we’re hitting the beginning of spring migration. Any day a new species could pop up as they start pushing north.”

One rarity that’s made an appearance in Austin this year? A white wagtail, common in Europe and Asia with a small population that lives along sea cliffs and in man-made structures in Alaska. A single specimen, apparently blown off its migration route, has been observed at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park several times in recent weeks.

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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