Category: Outings

• 9 a.m. Saturday May 7, 2022
• Wise County Fairgrounds, Decatur, Texas; find maps and directions.
• Admission $25
• Above, by Patty Sparks

A great opportunity to experience Scottish culture, including athletic events (all contestants wear kilts), musical events, and Scottish food. This event has been rated by Highlander Magazine as the number one Scottish festival in North America for entertainment and talent.

• Learn more, find a schedule.

There is also a photo competition that you can enter:

• View winning photos from 2021.
• Find contest rules and entry information. There is no fee for entering the contest.

Travel

If you are interested in caravanning or carpooling, we will depart promptly at 9 a.m. from the UNT Health Science Center parking lot, where we have our meetings, and expect to arrive around 10 a.m. The group will travel to the Wise County Fair Grounds, enjoy lunch there, and spend the afternoon photographing events.

The club follows Covid-19 protocols at all events, so we encourage carpooling only with family and if you follow Covid-19 protocols suitable for participant’s circumstances. If you have any questions about Covid-19, contact your physician or caregiver: Covid-19.

The festival continues through the day. Participants may leave any time. If you caravanned or carpooled with someone please be sure to let them know when you plan to leave.

• Contact Outings chair Mark Rogers for information.
• Learn more about outings.

• Saturday, April 9, 2022
• We will depart from the Walmart parking lot at 8840 Benbrook Blvd, Benbrook, TX promptly at 8:30 a.m. and drive to the Windmill Farm B&B, 6625 Colony Road, Tolar TX. After photographing the 30 windmills, we will contact the pastor of the Rock Church, 6101 Rock Church Hwy., Tolar, TX to unlock the church. We anticipate arriving at the church around 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. The Rock Church Cemetery and an old swinging bridge are located near the church in case you arrive before the church is unlocked.
• Above, Rock Church interior by Mark Rogers

Explore and photograph early Texas during an outing to the historic Rock Church Community, 10 miles southwest of Tolar on FM Road 2475, on the Hood and Erath County line.

The Rock Church Community includes an old-fashioned swinging bridge, rock fortress-church for which the community was named, and a turn-of-the-century clapboard church.

The Jesse Caraway family donated land in the1860s for the church. The two-story, solid rock building was constructed with volunteer labor and materials contributed by the community’s founding families. The community was on the route to the Comanche Peak look-out and ceremonial site for Comanches and other tribes, who clashed with settlers and U.S. military in the area.

In 1917, a swinging bridge was built across the Paluxy River near the church and was used for pedestrians, horse and buggy traffic and automobiles.

Near Tolar, the Windmill Farm features more than 30 vintage windmills begging to be photographed.

Participants may travel as they prefer. Carpool and follow Covid-19 precautions suitable for participants’ circumstances. If you have questions about Covid-19, contact your physician or caregiver. 

Join us for photo opportunities in three diverse locations. Club members Marsha Ezell, Susan Taylor and Ken Sparks have identified events packed with color, action and interest for photographers.

• April 12-16 – Route 66, Carthage, Missouri to Edmond, Oklahoma. Photograph Red Oak II, an historical village with a diner, jail, smithy, general store, Phillips 66 station, schoolhouse, town hall and several homes, which create a quaint faux village. Then we will travel along old Route 66 through Oklahoma. We will keep in touch by phone and text, and plan to meet at locations along the way.
• June 17-19 – Great Texas Balloon Race, Longview.
• June 21-25 – West of the Pecos Rodeo, Pecos, Texas. The rodeo is rated one of the five best large outdoor rodeos in the country.

Because the balloon race and the Pecos rodeo are popular events, hotel rooms will be scarce, so reserve a cancellable room now. You can always cancel later if your plans change. Download the PDFs below to find suggested hotels. Participants are expected to travel on their own and pay for transportation, lodging and meals. We will meet for photography and meals as schedules allow.

Questions?

Email Marsha Ezell or Susan Taylor. Download details, lodging and travel tips with these PDFs:

• 2022 Carthage and Route 66 
• 2022 Great TX Balloon Race
• 2022 Pecos Rodeo

Covid-19 Precautions

The Club expects participants to observe Covid-19 precautions suitable for their circumstances and to follow CDC guidelines.

Photos courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society, Great Texas Balloon Race and club member Ron Shue; click to view slide show.

• 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022
• Dallas Fair Park; map and directions.
• Admission $25; discount tickets may be purchased at Tom Thumb and Albertsons

Find photo opportunities at weekend of Irish and Celtic activities, including song, dance, and traditional bands, culinary workshops, martial arts classes and presentations by the Victorian Fencing Society.

• Learn more, find a schedule: https://www.ntif.org/

Travel

Meet others at 11 a.m. in the free parking lot at UNT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie. The group will caravan to Fair Park, enjoy lunch there and spend the afternoon photographing events. 

The club follows Covid-19 protocols at all events, so we encourage carpooling only with family and if you follow Covid-19 precautions suitable for participants’ circumstances. If you have questions about Covid-19 contact your physician or caregiver.

The event continues throughout the afternoon; participants may depart at any time. If you caravanned with someone, be sure to let them know when you plan to leave.

• Contact Outings chairs Mark Rogers for information.
• Learn more about Outings.