NEO Houston - Nature and Eclectic Outdoors

NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg

PAID PARKING $2 for 3 hours, free after 9pm. Cash, credit card, or app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sharewire.parkhouston

Like us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/NEOProjectTX/

Sunset is at 530pm-ish. Come enjoy some stress relieving time in the woods of Memorial Park and get to know some of your NEO brethren better. :-) Full moon this month is the "beaver" moon.

If the trails are water logged we have other options like the arboretum next door, the lieberman loop, or the picnic loop . We'll keep an ear and eye open for the OWLS 🦉that live in the woods.

Be sure to bring bug spray, a headlamp (approx 125 lumens or adjustable to approximately 125, anything over 200 is too bright) and comfy tennis shoes or boots with good tread. For restrooms the running center closes @ 7pm (6pm Nov-Feb). Parking @ the running center is NOW $2 for 3 hours. Free after 9pm. Cash, credit card or the parking app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sharewire.parkhouston

We will head out onto the trail 5 minutes after event time. I'll chat abit about the trails and NEO during those 5 minutes. .

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/e/9/2/600_322352402.jpeg

These night hikes are great for first time hikers because they are fewer miles with elevation and much cooler than some of our other hikes.

They are a good way to introduce your kids to hiking and assess their fitness level and attention span before bringing them on one of the regular hikes. Bring a snack and plenty of water for them. This hike is not stroller friendly...the trails are narrow and bumpy with many roots and elevation ups and downs.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/7/0/6/600_382638182.jpeg

Dogs are welcome but must be friendly, and they must stay on a leash at all times...no exceptions. There could be multiple dogs, so be sure they are not dog aggressive.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/3/d/c/600_382637372.jpeg

From 610, head east on Woodway Dr. You will pass the Arboretum/Nature Center. Stay to your right. Right after you go under the railroad tracks you will turn right @ the stoplight onto N. Picnic Loop. Make a right into the running center parking lot.

There is another event, "Fireside snack & chat" 30 minutes after this event @ the Eastern Glades section of Memorial park, 5 min drive down Memorial dr. Bring something to eat or go pick something up and join us after the hike. I just have to find which Pavillion is available and to set up. I'll post a comment of which location in the "Fireside" event page.

If you love off of the sidewalk hiking areas like Terry Hershey then Memorial Park dirt trails are great. If you have some suggestions for other places, please let me know. I look forward to seeing you all!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/f/a/8/600_194320872.jpeg

What to bring:
Flashlight or headlamp (approx 125 lumens, no brighter than 200)
Water/hydration/electrolytes
Snack
Shoes with good treads
BUG SPRAY

Family friendly event

NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg

After a full moon night hike (separate from this event) through the dirt trails of Memorial Park we will snack and chat by a fire, listening to the night time sounds of Hines lake nearby. Everyone is welcome to enjoy, it's family friendly. Full moon for this month is the "Beaver" moon

We'll celebrate this months birthdays. A flaming marshmellow will be the candle to blow out. We'll do this for each month during the Fireside snack and chats

The Eastern Glades area has 4 fire pits/pad sites and two Pavillions, Promenade & South lakeside, with fireplaces all lined up in a row next to each other. The North pavillion is next to the courtyard with strings of patio hanging lights. It is 1st come 1st serve for these spots so we will not know which one is available until after the hike and I see which one is available. Look for my bike with a basket on the back and a "NEO" sign attached. Pic posted 713-783-8281

Parking is free after 9pm but only $2 for 3 hours before then.

There is a restroom next to the parking/picnic area.

I will bring some firewood (oak, hickory, ash, ect).

Split firewood donations appreciated.

Before you leave the event set aside some time to take a short walk (15min) around Hines lake and a boardwalk into the woods. Picture posted of the route around the lake.

What to Bring: -Something to eat and/or drink (no glass)

-CAMP CHAIR optional, there are 4 picnic tables with benches

-Bug spray

• I'll bring some individually packed Smores kit (skewers, chocolate striped cookie or Graham cracker, chocolate, marshmellow)

-A love for the sounds of nature at night

-Topic for discussion

-campfire stories/games

NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing

Pic slide.
https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIwODAyMjAyMw

NEO Eclectic video. https://youtu.be/NexlAV5hTZc

This is an 8+ mile bike ride along paved neighborhiod streets of the Menil museum, University of St Thomas campus, Westmoreland, and Broad Oaks neighborhoods.

Before the day of the ride, fill your tires with air, check your brakes, oil your chain. When riding with the group, ride as if you are riding by yourself. look both ways when crossing intersections. I have extra yellow construction vests. Ask me for one if you would like to borrow for the bike ride.

The Westmoreland neighborhood, developed in 1902, is located just southwest of downtown Houston. At the time it was planned and platted, the layout was innovative and it set the standard for exclusive neighborhoods throughout Houston.

Houston had been a major shipping and trade center since its founding in 1836. During the 1800s, city leaders invested in the development of railroads and Houston’s network of bayous. The Houston Ship Channel and Port of Houston were built in the early 1900s. All of this development drove the city’s tremendous growth and between 1900 and 1910, the population doubled.

The City needed new neighborhoods for these new people. Many wealthy professionals who had lived in or near downtown began to move out of downtown into new, exclusive neighborhoods. Several of those neighborhoods were built southwest of downtown. They include Courtlandt Place, Westmoreland, Audobon Place, Avondale, Boulevard Oaks, and Broadacres

Restroom: ? There might be one open near the Rothko Chapel, one block away.

What to bring:
Bike (I have 3 folks can borrow)
Helmet (Strongly recommended. I have 3 folks can borrow)
Hydration: Water, electrolytes
Snack

NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg

Use the meetup drop pin to find the meeting spot. Willow Waterhole is HUGE and entering that name will not take you to where we will meet. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ufDvLfDK2X75DyuX9 29.653336,-95.471215

This will be a +/- 13 mile ride. Willow Waterhole is a huge retention pond that has a paved trail on the upper section and crushed granite trails in the lower basin. We will stay on the upper section if there are any road bikes on our ride.

We might have to adjust the meeting location because of the Cigna Sunday in the Park event. No information as of the posting of this bike ride to what areas/parking are closed. I'll post a comment when that information is available.

This ride will be on concrete/asphalt, a small bit (one block) along the sidewalk of Chimney Rock rd and then a mile or so through neighborhood streets (Hager Park & Westbury park) to Brays Bayou. Brays Bayou to Nature Discovery center in Bellaire Tx. (restroom, water fountain), a beautiful small forest, saved from being developed into a few homes.

Guests are unlimited, meetup app settings only allow a max of 5. Just post a comment of how many guest you will bring, if over 5.

Before the day of the ride, fill your tires with air, check your brakes, oil your chain. Be familiar with changing gears on your bike. When riding with the group, ride as if you are riding by yourself, look both ways when crossing intersections. I have extra yellow construction vests. Ask me for one if you would like to borrow for the bike ride.

After the ride, where we begin and end the ride, will be Cigna Sunday in the Park event. NEO will have an area with educational outdoor games teaching about the local fish, saltwater & freshwater. Cigna Sunday in the Park will also have free snowcones, hotdogs, group dancing, unicycle fire juggling and alot more. This event begins @ noon, and ends @ 4pm.

What to bring:
Bike
Helmet (strongly recommended)
Water/hydration/electrolytes
Snack
Love of nature