Category: Outings

• 8: 30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022
• Meet at UNT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd. (View a Google map to Muenster and nearby Lindsay.)
• St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Muenster Oktoberfest
• Tripods are allowed in the church.
• Photos of St. Peter’s by John Nixon.

We will depart from our meeting room parking lot at UNT Health Science Center at 8:30 a.m. and travel about 1.5 hours to the St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 424 Main Street, Lindsay, and begin taking photos around 10 a.m.

Construction started on St. Peter’s in 1899 and the church opened in 1903. A tornado destroyed the church in 1913, but it was rebuilt in 1919. Restoration began in 2009 at a cost of $4.9 million.

There is currently nothing scheduled at the church that morning, but we are required to contact the church on Oct. 6 to make sure there is no church activity that would interfere with our plans. If a conflict develops, we will announce this at our Oct. 6 program meeting.

Following the church photos, we will travel about 10 miles to 301 N. Ash Street in Muenster, to the Muenster Oktoberfest where we will photograph everything from pumpkins to musicians to a stein hoisting contest. There is a $5 admission fee and numerous food booths for the noon meal. Oktoberfest ends at midnight.  

• Find a schedule for Oktoberfest events.

Muenster was settled in 1889 by German immigrants. There are buildings with German-style architecture, murals, Fischer’s Market and the Muenster Museum with its vintage farm equipment.

The Club asks that participants observe Covid-19 precautions suitable for their circumstances.

• March 1-6, 2023
• Big Bend National Park
• Big Bend is an 8-10 hour drive from Fort Worth
• Lodging of all types is limited; make reservations in 2022

Photograph starry skies, desert vistas and early spring bluebonnets in the Big Bend region of Texas. This outing will include three photo opportunities (days TBD):

• Sunrise at Santa Elena Canyon; photo above, by Roy O’Rear
• Sunset at Sotol Vista Overlook
• Morning views and lunch at Chisos Mountains Lodge area (Location may change since the lodge is expected to close for remodeling sometime in 2023.)

Participants may otherwise explore photo locations, hiking and dining of their choosing.

The park is one of the most re-visited parks in the national parks system. Visitors are attracted by the vast skies, desert and mountain ecology and wildlife. The area has limited options for lodging, camping and RVs, so reservations must be made well in advance.

If you have not traveled to Big Bend or have not explored West Texas, you’ll need to research locations and activities. Please be aware that you should heed all warnings about distance, weather, road conditions and hydration. The desert is spectacular, but unforgiving.

Many club members are regular visitors to the 800,000 acre national park and their images from the area often win awards. Ask members for suggestions at a monthly club meeting; find more information:

• Big Bend National Park/National Park Service; PDF park guide
• Big Bend Ranch State Park
• Texas Department of Transportation Travel Guide and Map
• Things to Do in West Texas
• Big Bend Natural History Association (guides, memoirs, history)
• Big Bend Photography

• 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
• Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas. (View a Google map.)
• Admission Fee: $12 per adult; $10 for those age 65 and older; free for members.
• Equipment: Tripods are permitted for FWCC members for this outing.
• Parking is free. Attendees may meet in the foyer of the main building (not the BRIT building.)

Note that this is a weekday and a morning outing, scheduled to avoid heat and crowds. Our focus is the Japanese Garden, but participants may want to make note of other areas to explore. Our Fun Photo Challenge for October also is the Botanic Garden.

The Japanese Garden opened in 1973. It includes a zen area, koi pool and a variety of plants, including bamboo, Japanese maple and cherry trees.

The popular Moon Bridge, below, is visible, but being repaired according to traditional Japanese building standards. The garden is a member of the North American Japanese Garden Association.