Tag: field trips

— by Cindy Chrisler

• What:   Critchfield Preserve Field Trip
• When:  Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:30 am to Noon (no entry after 9:45am)
• Where:  Critchfield Preserve, 801 CR 344, Jarrell, TX 78537
  • Directions: Take I-35 north to Exit 277 for CR 305. Go left under the interstate on CR 305 and in 2.3 miles turn right onto CR 344. The preserve entrance is about a mile down CR 344 on the left. You will be guided to a parking area. High clearance vehicles are not required.
• Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) You must fill out a waiver for the Preserve (in addition to the NPSOT waiver that is signed at all field trips). Download the Preserve’s waiver at this link if you’d like to print and sign it ahead in order to save time at the start of the field trip.
2) Bathrooms are not available.
3) Be on time, as we will close the gates at 9:45am!  

Join us to tour this 100+ acre preserve in Jarrell that includes portions of Pecan Creek. There are no trails, and participants should dress for the weather, bring plenty of water, and use bug spray. We will hike around the preserve to places of interest as we look for unusual plants as well as the usual suspects. The terrain is mostly flat but there are rocks and the terrain may be uneven.

Above: photos provided by the Preserve.

[4/14 directions updated. Left on FM 2147.]

This parking info has been added to the Middleton Ranch (working cattle ranch) portion of April 27’s field trip ==> If you are uncomfortable driving your vehicle on the ranch roads, you may park inside the gate and we will transport you to the property and back to the gate.

See the full field trip announcement at this link, including important info on what to wear for the ranch hike.

• What:   Museo Benini and Middleton Ranch Field Trip
• When:  Saturday, April 27, 2024
  • 10:30 AM-11:30AM – Museo Benini
  • (optional) 11:30 AM – Middleton Ranch hike
• Where: 
  • Museo Benini, 3440 FM2147, Marble Falls, TX 78654.   Directions: From FM 1431, take 281 south for about 2.5 miles to FM 2147.  Turn left on FM 2147 and proceed 3.2 miles to Museo Benini.
  • Middleton Ranch directions will be provided at the field trip

Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

[4/14 directions updated. Left on FM 2147; 4/12, option to park inside Middleton Ranch gate added]

— by Cindy Chrisler

• What:   Museo Benini and Middleton Ranch Field Trip
• When:  Saturday, April 27, 2024
  • 10:30 AM-11:30AM – Museo Benini
  • (optional) 11:30 AM – Middleton Ranch hike
• Where: 
  • Museo Benini, 3440 FM2147, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
    • Directions: From FM 1431, take 281 south for about 2.5 miles to FM 2147.  Turn left on FM 2147 and proceed 3.2 miles to Museo Benini.
  • Middleton Ranch directions will be provided at the field trip
• Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Meet at Museo Benini at 10:30 AM to tour the site and view their wildflowers.  Optionally you may enter the museum and visit the artwork (free admission).

At 11:30, those who wish to continue to the Middleton Ranch will be given directions and a waiver to sign.  It takes about 20 minutes to get from the museum to the Middleton Ranch.  The ranch roads are one-way gravel, and there are some ruts and steep hills, but you do not need high clearance. (My husband’s MG can handle the road!)  You are invited to bring a picnic lunch and eat in the shade of live oak trees.  Bring lawn chairs and your picnic lunch.  The chapter will provide a dessert and water.  Bathrooms are available.  After lunch, Cindy Chrisler will lead a guided hike around the property, and you may wander after that until 5:00 p.m., although you may leave earlier if you like.

If you are uncomfortable driving your vehicle on the ranch roads, you may park inside the gate and we will transport you to the property and back to the gate.

Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, including closed toed shoes and long pants if you plan to go on the guided hike at the Middleton Ranch.  Participants may also want to use insect repellent. 

The Middleton Ranch is a working cattle ranch and cattle roam freely.  Some terrain is uneven, steep, and rocky in places. The guided hike will mostly be on flat areas, but there are some spots that are steep and rocky and we will cross a shallow creek twice.

Above: flowers at the Middleton Ranch