Howdy, y'all!
Whining about no material does pay off! But don't stop now. I need articles for the next issue, as well! The TSA Homepage Czar, Butch Fralia, has posted the second quarter 2012 edition of The TEXAS CAVER to the Members Area. In this issue, you'll find a great cover photo of Michael Harris, which took 2nd place at the TSA Spring Convention. The articles start off with an update from Mike Walsh on the goings on at the Texas Cave Conservancy. There are a plethora of trip reports from around the state, with a Deep Cave report from newbie author Allie Loftin, a Boyett's Cave "rescue" from Ben Hutchins, a West Texas caving report with some excellent photos from Travis Scott, a beautiful poem by our own poet laureate Mimi Jasek, an O-9 Well trip report from Aubrey Jenson, an A.S.S. trip to Honey Creek by Samantha Carley, another newbie to the TEXAS CAVER, a report about Joe Mitchell's 40th birthday from Michael Harris, and a fascinating list of lists of "10 Reasons I love Caving", initiated by Sheryl Rieck. There also is a highly enjoyable TSA Spring Convention report from Bennett Lee, as well as a fantastic group photo he shot. The inside cover features a photo collage from the Convention from Michael Harris, Leslie Bell, and Bill Bentley. Finally, there is a long-winded wrap up report from the Longhorn Caverns State Park Project from yours truly and a bunch of excellent photos from Venture Crew 416 of Plano, Texas and from Leslie Bell! This is a very special issue and one, we at the TSA, hope you will enjoy, but: You must be a paid TSA member to enjoy online reading of this latest newsletter! In other words: No Pay, No View If your dues have expired, you won't be able to access the Members Area of the website until your dues are current. When your dues have been paid, please give me a shout and you'll be reinstated with full honors and privileges! Here are the insanely cheap rates listed below: * Single Membership - $15.00 - Newsletter Online * Single Membership - $25.00 - Newsletter Mailed * Family Membership - $20.00 - Newsletter Online * Family Membership - $30.00 - Newsletter Mailed * Student Membership - $10.00 - Newsletter Online * Student Membership - $20.00 - Newsletter Mailed Please go to www.cavetexas.org <http://www.cavetexas.org> to renew your dues or to become a new member or join at TCR and receive your very own copy of the latest newsletter. If you're a TSA member, but haven't yet joined the Digital Revolution, it is extremely painless to do so. Go to http://www.cavetexas.org/members/ <http://www.cavetexas.org/members/> and sign up and enjoy this issue and all four past "Members Only" issues. Please remember to select how you want your TC: mail or digital. Issues older than one year are FREE for you, the inquiring caver, to peruse at your leisure and, hopefully, will encourage you to join the TSA. You can still opt to receive the TC in the mail and be able to view the issues online. Not a TSA member? We still would like for you to contemplate becoming a TSA member. Send me an email for your complimentary TEXAS CAVER and see what you've been missing. Or, you can visit the TSA website at www.cavetexas.org <http://www.cavetexas.org> and become a paid member and/or become an online member of the TSA. Become a member yourself, or, sign up that special someone as a new or renewal member for Paid members now have access to a total of 34 issues available for your reading pleasure! Those contemplating membership can now view 31 issues online! (Bill just added two more!) I always NEED material for the next issue and can ALWAYS use whatever you send me! I love getting articles, but, especially enjoy reports from TC virgins. Worried that you're not a very good writer or have never submitted one? Not to worry! I barely write at a 3rd grade level and y'all have no problem reading/enduring my posts! You have a couple of months now till the next issue. So grab some iced tea and enjoy that air conditioning while you put your thoughts down, so, submit that report that we all enjoy hearing about. If you happen to be an Armchair Caver, no problem. I always enjoy receiving submissions for "The Carbide Caver" section of the newsletter and we would all love to hear a humorous or exciting or memorable or, potentially, libelous recollection from one of your past trips, documented for all to read from the depths of your memory! A HUGE thanks to all who have helped me out in this issue and past issues. Now, get your other fellow cavers involved! Thanks for your support of the TC, the TSA, and making Texas the great Center of the Caving Universe. Enjoy and have a safe and fun summer! Mark Alman - TEXAS CAVER Editor
