2006 Special Events

In addition to the Big Parties that we enjoy, we have several smaller special activities throughout the year, themed parties, museum trips and other activities. We will add more pictures throughout the year.

•     Zip Line Tour.
•     Wine Tasting.
•     Trip to the Zoo.
•     Spy Party.

Zip Line Canopy Tour!

Located just South of Austin, the "Cypress Valley Canopy Tour" on the shores of Lake Travis offers one of the few zip line tours in the United States. The tour consisted of three sky bridges and 6 zip-lines; the longest is over 350 feet, and most launch and land in platforms up to 40 feet high in the trees.

It was a great cool day, some of us even got to see a Porcupine shambling around as we zipped through the trees. A few brave souls went on to do the more physical "Challenge" Canopy tour.

Our Brave Adventurers	One of the sky bridge.	Just lift your feet and go...	Look out Below...
Amazing views.	Geronimo...	Did I sign the waiver?	Why did I agree to do this?

Wine Tasting!

Sallie and Tim hosted a very successful and enjoyable series of Educational wine tasting, from basic concepts and misconceptions of Red Wine versus White Wine to tasting some specialty wines for special occasions.

Why Wine Tasting? Few of us take the time to break down what we actually like or dislike about a wine. With a table loaded with fruits, flowers and spices, we identified the smells when we inhaled the aroma of our wines. A taste test with sweets, salts and sours showed what a difference it makes to whether or not you actually enjoy that wine you labored so hard to pick out! Overall, a great time was had by all and now to plan the perfect picnic...

Everyone sits ready.	Sallie prepares the first blind taste test	Sallie as the Sommelier	Keeping notes about each wine we taste.

In May, a wine tasting session was devoted to the joys of Sparkling Wines!

Sparkling Wine must be chilled!	Enjoying the fruity flavors of a sparkling red.	And contrasting the sweet/crisp flavors of a sparkling white...	... but the main component of sparkling wine is having fun!

In August, a whole tasting session was devoted to Country Wines! These are wines made from fruits other than grape.

Our Fruit Wines! Wines from two different Wineries.	Sallie is awarded a Sommelier's cup for  organizing Wine Tastings.	Contrasting the differing flavors of the various fruit wines...	Holly wins the "Mardi Graz" Sommelier's cup for identifying the Mystery Wine!

Trip to the Zoo!

Located just outside Johnson City, West of Austin, is the "Exotic Animal Zoo". The Spring weather was perfect for a Road Trip to see Camels, Antelope, Deer, Ostriches, Bison, wooly Highland Cattle and other exotic grazing animals.

Lunch at the Nutty Brown Cafe.	Tristin feeds the Deer	Jerry gets to know Omar the Camel	Back in Austin, enjoying a few drinks.

Spy Party!

Jerry hosted a "live game" with a spies theme! Everyone was assigned a character, such as James Bond, Boris and Natasha, Maxwell Smart, a mad scientist, etc. The host Dr. Evil then explained the rules of the game, and everyone acted the part of their character for a few hours, trying to accomplish their goals.

Spies & Evil Genius convention Austin TX.	"Welcome to my Secret Island Base"	Very Patriotic	Bond & 'M' drop in.
Natasha is concocting a diabolical scheme.	Jeff is a Mad Scientist	On the lookout for the Unexplainable	The 'Smart' Shoe Phone.