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TOWN NEWSMarch 1-4, Camping –Inks Lake

We have been campingat Inks Lake in February forseveral years, always hav-ing beautiful weather. Thisyear we are going a littlelater. Things to see near byare Longhorn cavern andEnchanted Rock. ContactBarbara or sign up at nextTOWN meeting.Trip Leader:Barbara Minyardbarbara_gran@yahoo.com

Sat., March 24, Hike –Erwin Park McKinney

This is a great park justNorth of McKinney. Wecould meet at 3 p.m., walkan hour or an hour and ahalf and then come back to McKinney Square for anearly supper. A sign upsheet will be at meetingTrip Leader:Robbie Chandlerrbbchandler@yahoo.com

Sat., April 14, ArtsBloom – McKinney

Art in Bloom. Lets meetat Robbie Chandler's houseat 11am, there will be asign in sheet at MarchMeeting or let Robbieknow directly you arecoming.

We will walk up to thesquare, do our own thing

(if we want) and mayberendezvous for luncharound 1pm, then decideon our next course ofaction. Loads to see anddo!!!!!Trip Leader:Robbie Chandlerrbbchandler@yahoo.com

June 11-15, Camp MaryWhite Women’s Retreat

Last year Robbie andnine (9) other TOWNmembers made the drive toMayhill NM for the annualWomen’s Retreat at CampMary White. Awesometime had by all. Many ofthem mentioned that theywould like to come backand Robbie has just beensent the dates of theRetreat.

Robbie is definitelygoing, and she knows

other TOWN membersalso hope to return thisyear. This year we havebeen assigned our campingarea, near a restroom facili-ty – same as last year) lastyear we were in the cab-ins, this year we have achoice, tents or cabins.

They averaged 12 hoursdriving time going thereand 12 hours back but waswell worth it. The cabinswere made of wood, 3.5walls to be exact the otherhalf wall was open to thesky. Much like campingreally, no electricity in thecabins and the toilets weredown the hill. The onlyplaces that had electricwere the main lodge,showers and arts and craftroom.

There was a differentactivity/art project every

What’s Inside!Activities 1-2Future Trips 2Inks Lake Photos 32015 & 2016 TripsBuying Your First 4Backpacking Stove

DALLAS/FORT WORTH MARCH 2018

In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward.Something holds and something pulls inside of us too. Jean Hersey

NEXT TOWNMEETINGMONDAY

MARCH 5, 2018LA MADELEINE

5290 BELT LINE RDADDISON, TX

6:30-7:00 Social HourMeeting 7:00

Butterfly House — Texas Discovery Gardens

2 E-mail: sfahlberg@aol.com

day, everything from painting winebottles (my personal favorite) tomaking leather goods and jewelry.Hiking every day for those thatwanted too. Trips to White Sandsand Carlsbad were also undertaken.A professional masseuse on hand forthese aches and pains or just plainspoiling. We had a SPA evening, acamping cookout on the grill, anight or two around the fire and onthe front porch. Lots of casualevening activities from jigsaw puz-zles to just plain good old fashionedconversation.

The meals were three times a dayby a dedicated cook and staff, plen-tiful and varied, snacks availableconstantly and as we all know thisgroup moves on their stomachs,which were well filled.

Details still to be finalized, so mark your calendars!Trip Leader:Robbie Chandlerrbbchandler@yahoo.com

2018 TripsMarch 11 - Bush Library Prairie Tour: Leader Janet Smith e-mail

Janets13@sbcglobal.netMarch 10 - Arbor Hills Hike: Leader Nancy Lee e-mail:

nlee002@ts.rr.comApril 7 or 8 (to be decided) Bike Ride Mockingbird Station to

Farmers Market, return on train to Mockingbird Stationand lunch at Edith's French Café Leader Vicki Flynn e-mail: childrenrn@aol.com

April 14 - Arts in Bloom, McKinney - Leader Robbie Chandler andChris e-mail rbbchandler@yahoo.com

May 5 - Hike Haggerman's Wildlife Refuge - Leader Robbie Chandlere-mail: rbbchandler@yahoo.com

In the Works• Kayak trip on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River • Perot Museum• Dallas Aquarium • Cedar Ridge Nature • Dallas Blooms• Myers Park, McKinney • Roller Derby and Dinner• White Rock Trail bike ride

Inks Lake – Carol Burris

We’re on the web! www.towndallas.org Look for us on Facebook! 3

TOWN NEWS

Photos by Barb

Inks Lake 2015-16

Mission StatementThe TOWN mission is to provide all women the opportunity to learn and experience outdoor activities in natural surroundings through a non-threatening,safe and supportive environment.

How to Buy Your FirstBackpacking StoveBy Krista Karlson – Backpacker

A good backpacking stove will beyour dinner date for hundreds ofmeals. Here’s how to pick the rightone.

The time has come. You’re tired ofusing your mom’s rusty stove fromthe 1980s, and you’re ready to buyone of your own. And knowing the ins and outs of your equipmentbefore hitting the trail is going tomake dinner a lot easier that firstnight. To make it easier to sortthrough the dozens of models outthere, we’ve sorted through the prosand cons to help you make a decision that suits you and yourcooking style.

Integrated Canister StoveThis setup combines stove, fuel,and pot into a single system.Example: Jetboil Flash ($100)Pros• Lightweight (14-15oz. includingpot)

• Rapid boil (4.5 mins)• Hard to knock your pot off theflame

•Easy to useCons• Used canisters need to be packed out.

• Canisters are hard to recycle.• Fuel pressure decreases at highaltitude.

• Little to no control over the heatoutput

• Pots must be compatible with the stove

• Hard to repairTraditional Canister StoveIn this setup, the burner screwsonto the fuel canister, and a pot isplaced on top. Example: Snow PeakLiteMax ($60)Pros• Lightweight (2-3 oz.)• Compact• You have some control over theheat output.

• You can mix and match pots.• Easy to useCons• You must pack out used canisters.• Canisters are hard to recycle.• Fuel pressure decreases at highaltitude.

• Can be too unstable for large pots• Hard to repair• Use of a windscreen can createan explosion hazard.

Propane StoveThis is the traditional two-burnercar camping stove. Example:Coleman Triton ($80)Pros• Double burner for large groups• Stable surface makes for easycooking.

• Built-in wind protection

• Reliable in cold weatherCons• The stove is much too bulky forbackpacking (around 10 lbs.)

• Propane canisters are heavy• Canisters are hard to recycleSolid Fuel StoveSolid fuel stoves burn chemical fuel tablets.Pros• Extremely lightweight (0.1-3.5 oz.)• Compact• No need to pack out canisters• InexpensiveCons• Long cook time• Easily extinguished by wind• Fumes from fuel tabs aren’t goodfor you.

Alcohol StoveThis pocket-size stove is placed in astand beneath the pot.Pros• You can make it yourself with aused cat food can.• Extremely cheap and lightweight(1-4oz.)

Cons• Long cook time • Not fuel efficient• No temperature control• Not recommended for cold weather• May not be allowed under fire bans