SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Wednesday Outing & Picnic for Early Birds!

[Michael Jacobi]

Thanks to the efforts and hard work of ArachnoCon committee member Sky the "Texas Blonde" and the generosity of her family, I am pleased to announce that we now have a pre-conference activity planned for Wednesday July 18. ArachnoCon does not officially start until the early registration and Reptiles magazine sponsored icebreaker late afternoon/early evening on Thursday July 19, but for those of you who are arriving in San Antonio a day or more early, Sky has planned a special field trip and picnic in and around Choke Canyon Reservoir, about 65 miles south of San Antonio.

This event is sponsored by The Stevens Family. On behalf of Scott and Debby, I would like to thank them and, of course, Sky for putting this together. The Stevens Family is not only going to provide food and drinks for lunch, but take care of our admission fee to the state park.

Choke Canyon Reservoir (see links below) is located about one hour south of our host hotel. We will be gathering outside the hotel front door at around 7:30 a.m. to arrange carpooling and discuss details and hopefully be on the road before 8 a.m. We will be arranging collecting trips in the general vicinity of the lake for the morning. Please note that swimming, fishing and wildlife watching are all available within the state park (you may even see an alligator in 75 acre pond!), but no collecting can take place within. Arachnid hunting will take place outside park boundaries and be coordinated by Sky. After a few hours of enjoying the area, we will gather for a special lunch in the park thanks to The Stevens Family.

Links of Interest:

• Sky's photos of the area
• Choke Canyon Reservoir
• Three Rivers, Texas & Choke Canyon Reservoir
• TX Parks and Wildlife - Choke Canyon Reservoir

[Matthew]

These are some of my pictures from Choke. I go down there once or twice week during prime hunting season! These pictures very in age but I was there two weeks ago and saw 8 gators in the lake. You have a chance to see everything from big Western Diamondbacks to the elusive coralsnake. There are many tarantulas about and plenty of places to hunt them just outside the park! Last year we were in the hight of the many year drought but so far this year we have got tons of rain! If this keeps up it will shape up to be one of the best years for wildlife in a long time!

Oh yeah those of you that can bring your fishing poles if not use one of mine and get ready for some fun!

[Matthew]

There are many other things out here come take a look for your self!

[Texas Blonde]

Oh man Matthew, awesome pictures! Now Im even more excited for the event!

Is that a coral snake eating a rattlesnake? I cant get the picture to inlarge.

[Matthew]

Thanks, it's one of my favorite places to go.

It's a coral snake eating a juvenile Texas Rat Snake!

[Cheshire]

Sounds awesome

[Kagekumo]

Cool sounds like a great time

[ShadowBlade]

I'm arriving in San Antonio Tue. night. So, I'll be going.
Sounds great

-Sean

[Texas Blonde]

Just to let everyone know, this event is not just for Arachnocon registrees. We would like anyone and everyone to go. Its about having a good time, and enjoying the hobby together. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

Cant wait to see everyone there!

/Sky

[Texas Blonde]

I thought I should probably advise people on equipment for this outing, as it will be an all day event. Its important to be prepared for the weather and heat before we go out. Dehydration happens very fast down here, because most people don't realize how draining the sun can be. Don't mean to scare anyone, just want everyone to have a good time.

Clothing

• A loose fitting, breathable long sleeve shirt is recommended. This will protect your skin from the sun.
• Bring a T-Shirt to change into at the lake if you would like, since we will be able to sit in the shade.
• Long pants such as jeans for the morning collecting. Many of our plants down here have thorns, and you never know what could be hiding in the long grass.
• Bring a change of shorts for the lake as well, again because we will be in the shade.
• Heavy boots are recommended for the collecting trips, but they are not essential. Hiking boots, and tennis shoes will work fine. Just don't show up wearing sandals, they simply aren't safe.
• A hat or bandanna is recommended to keep the sun off your scalp. Its hard to get sunblock there, so this is pretty important.
• Sunglasses are also a really good idea, especially if you have light colored eyes.

Collecting Equipment

• Bring a backpack or sack of some type, so you can keep all of your things in one place and organized.
• Containers to put critters in, such as vials, or tupper ware cups.
• Long tongs are good for catching centipedes, and other feisty critters.
• A gallon jug of water to pour down tarantula burrows, in case tickling them out doesn't work.
• If you plan to flip rocks for scorpions, heavy garden gloves aren't a bad idea, as scorpions aren't always the only things hiding under there.

Additional Equipment

• WATER! This is probably the most important piece of equipment you can bring. There will be some provided, but bring several bottles so that you have enough to drink from often.
• Sunblock! Second most important piece of equipment. It should be a fairly strong, such as spf35+, and water and sweat proof.
• You can bring a swim suit if you plan to swim at the lake. There are no official beaches, but swimming is allowed in the 26,000 acre lake.
• Bring your camera. Take tons of pictures, and make sure you share!
• A small snack such as a protein bar, or trial mix. There is time to eat in the morning, and a large lunch is planned, but having a snack handy in between wouldn't be a bad idea.

This is just a rough guide, some people might not need to bring everything, especially if they are not collecting. Some people might want to bring more. As we get closer to the event, Ill post up again letting people know some more details about exactly what we are doing, and possible additional items.

Hope to see lots of y'all there!

/Sky

[IguanaMama]

Hey! My flight gets in early wed morning. Can I take a cab from the airport to meet you. LMK, I reeeeeeaaaaaally want to goooooooooooooooo. I'm going to try to change my flight to tuesday, but I don't know if I can.

[Michael Jacobi]

Originally Posted by IguanaMama

Hey! My flight gets in early wed morning. Can I take a cab from the airport to meet you. LMK, I reeeeeeaaaaaally want to goooooooooooooooo. I'm going to try to change my flight to tuesday, but I don't know if I can.

What time is "early", Jodi? We will be leaving the hotel at around 8 am, but I am sure there will be some people meeting us a bit later. Please post what time you are due to arrive at the airport and maybe something can be worked out.

Cheers, Michael

[IguanaMama]

My flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:30 am Texas time. Is anyone reading this thread? I'd like to join you guys for lunch. I don't know how to drive so I can't get myself there, I will have to depend on the kindness of strangers (or friends). LMK anyone!!!!