Folks, This coming weekend is the Labor Day weekend and is an excellent opportunity to visit the newest acquisition of the Texas Cave Management Association - The Deep and Punkin Nature Preserve. We are having a work trip/trip leader training trip starting on Friday, September 2 through Monday, September 5. We have had a number of folks sign up for the weekend but still have openings. If you're interesting in seeing the property as well as Deep Cave, this would be an ideal weekend. You may also visit Punkin Cave for the bat flight but entrance to the cave will likely be restricted until sometime in November after the bats have left.
We will be performing work around the property as well as arranging caving trips. Main requirements this weekend is to have fun, work a little, and enjoy the weekend. You're welcome to stay one or more nights. Also, the property is close to Devils River State National Area, Del Rio, and Seminole Canyon, and Lake Amistad National Recreation Area. We will conduct trip leader training trips as well site seeing trips into Deep Cave. If there is interest, we can also lead some photography trips into the cave. We will do some general work on the property including cutting of brush, hauling stuff and some painting. If you have room for tools, we can us loppers, shovels, 5-gallon plastic buckets to haul rock, garden rakes, chain saws and bow saws, etc. Please bring all of the food and water that you think you will need for the weekend. There is a small stove and refrigerator at the site but you may want to bring a portable stove as 20+ people trying to cook on one stove top may be a bit much. Also, please bring chairs, tents, and sleeping pads. We will try and cook some more Dutch Oven desserts around the fire in the evenings. For everyone coming up. Also, there is a grill but you may need to bring charcoal. Please do not bring any wood to the site. The NRCS representative recommended against bringing any wood or plants onto the site to minimize the spread of fire ants and oak wilt. Bunk space. I am asking that two or three bunk spaces be reserved on the bottom bunks for foks that either need breathing machines or joint pains. Let me know if you have any special needs and we'll try to make accomidations. If you're driving, remember to watch the speed limit on 377. Dogs and children are welcome as long as they are well behaved. We have a nice group of folks going this weekend and I think everyone will have a great time. If you have any questions about this weekend, please feel free to contact me at home at 210-479-2151 or work at 210-222-2204. If you reply to this email, make sure that you leave Deep and Punkin in the heading or you may get spam blocked. Let me know if you need directions. Also, don't forget your cave gear. I'll be arriving some time before 9 pm. If you are there early, make yourself at home. Thanks and hope you can make it. Geary Schindel Some folks that were interested in car pooling asked that I list the names of folks coming this weekend. Mark Alman Son Alman Graham Schindel Aspen Schindel Sue Schindel Geary Schindel Logan McNatt Susan Chelf Falicia Vereland Erin Vereland Rick Corbel Erin Corbel Bob Cowell? Carl Ponobcheck? Michelle Bryant Paul Bryant Steve Bryant Walter Feister Cindy Ditullio Steve DiTullio Don Auburn Jennie Auburn Eric Holman Malissa Holman Brian Holman Evan Holman Linda Palit? Joe Ranzau
