Eagle Quest Excursions
Take a trip aboard 54 foot Lakeview Houseboat to catch
the magnificent bald eagles soaring over
the water or cliffs around the lake. The
trips will be approximately 2 hours in duration. We suggest dressing
in warm layers, hats and gloves. We will try to accommodate everyone;
advance registration will help
insure your place aboard. Of course,
Texoma WestEnd Association reserves the right to cancel the trips due
to weather or lake conditions. Your safety
is our first concern. Life jackets are being provided. Saturday and Sunday departure times are 9:30 in the
morning and 2:00 pm. $15 per person donation will be accepted; children age 7-12 $5.00,
age 6 and under free.
Special thanks are extended to Legend Bank for their sponsorship of the excursions.
What youngster won't want to take part in this opportunity? Free airplane rides available to kids ages 8 - 17. Flights will take place over Lake Texoma and the surrounding area. Flights are courtesy of pilots from the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) who have flown over one million youth nationwide to introduce kids to the wonder of flying. Each participant must be accompanied to the Cedar Mills Marina and Resort airport by a parent or legal guardian. Flights are scheduled from 9-11:30 am on Saturday and Sunday.
Refuge volunteers will lead a guided tour. The Refuge usually has spectacular numbers and varieties of geese, ducks and raptors that rest and feed during this time of year. Participants will be picked up at the Ships Store and transported in a van to and from the refuge.This field trip will be filled on a first come, first serve basis and space is very limited. Departure times are 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on Saturday. Sign up at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge booth located at the Central Market Place.
This outstanding presentation is provided by the staff of the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. This non-profit organization will showcase several species of raptors and discuss the importance of birds of prey in the environment at 12:00 noon Saturday and Sunday at the Lodge. There will also be an exhibit with the birds in the Central Market Place all day Saturday and Sunday where you can view the birds and ask questions.
Take a quick trip high above the trees for a panoramic view of Lake Texoma's WestEnd. You will be nestled safely in a large basket as you rise skyward powered only by the roar of hot air being pushed into the large, colorful balloon overhead. Sound like fun? See you at Cedar Mills Marina and Resort. There will be a $5.00 per person charge. Saturday 4-5 pm and Sunday 8-9 am. View the Glow on Saturday 6 pm.
Polar Bear Plunge
That's right! A dip into Lake Texoma in late January in full view of a bunch
of warm, dry spectators. Just how brave are you? Still time to volunteer.
Be one of the first to raise $25 from your sponsors and receive a free "I Took the Plunge!"
t-shirt. This is for fun and "glory". This event, scheduled for 1:30 on Sunday, and will benefit Special Olympics of Western Grayson County. Sponsorship forms are available by clicking on the following link: Polar Bear Plunge Forms.
Expenses associated with the Polar Bear Plunge are being underwritten by The Bank of Texas.
Join us to discover the unique wines of the Texas. Learn which grape varieties are grown in this great wine region and the wines that are produced from them. Several wines will be available for tasting along with a nice array of fine cheeses. $20.00 per person. This event will be held at Pelicans Landing Waterfront Restaurant at Cedar Mills Marina and Resort, 4-5:00 pm, Saturday
Central Market Place
Stroll through the Central Market Place at Cedar Mills Marina and Resort and sample the products and services of the WestEnd of beautiful Lake Texoma. Shake the winter blues and add a fresh look to your home with an original wildlife painting created by a local artist or enhance your knowledge of large bird species by bringing your questions to the experts from the Blackland Prairie Raptor center. Watch as a chainsaw carver finds an eagle in a chunk of wood. Looking for an unusual gift? - lease a longhorn; raised and lovingly cared for on a local ranch. There's much, much more - gift items, hand-crafted jewelry, wood carvings and some wonderful flavored olive oils. Learn what Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers or Thousand Trails Preserve, or our local marinas, or discover the area Bed and Breakfasts. What about fishing the coves of our scenic lake? You can hire a guide. Can’t resist the aroma of freshly popped kettle corn? We have that too and don’t forget the BBQ right off the smoker. Open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Lacy and Dorothy Harber and American Bank of Texas have generously underwritten this event and supplied the heated tent for the comfort of "Questers".
Beer Tasting
Wind down your day and enjoy the taste of some fine imported beers. There will be a wide variety to sample. Come and see what you like, Sunday, 2:00 – 3:30 pm. A donation of $1.00 will get you a sample or a $5.00 donation will provide you with 6 samples to taste. All proceeds will go to Special Olympics of Western Grayson County so drink up and enjoy.
Special thanks are extended to Andrews Distributing for donating the beer.
A special treat for Eagle Questers! Join naturalist Sandy Beach, from Austin College, who will be your guide along a portion of the Cross Timbers Hiking Trail. This is an excellent opportunity to view a phenomenal number and variety of bird species, hopefully some eagles and other raptors too. Doesn’t this sound great? Interested? Meet at the Ship’s Store at 1:30 pm on Saturday. We will be car pooling for the short trip to the trailhead. This is a moderately rugged trail and could be muddy, please be prepared and dress appropriately. Sign up at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge booth located at the Central Market Place.
Seminars:
Conducted on Saturday and Sunday morning
and afternoon at Cedar Mills Marina and Resort - The Lodge.
Times are noted below.
Special thanks are extended to Ben E. Keith Foods for sponsoring the seminars for 2007.
#1. Patterns of Reservoir Sedimentation and Filling in Lake Texoma. (Saturday, 10-10:45 a.m.)
Anyone that has frequented the upper end of the Washita River arm of Lake Texoma has seen the changes that have resulted from sediment deposits. In this presentation, the speaker will describe the results of an on-going research project dealing with sediment issues in this area of the lake. You will see aerial photographs that document sediment patterns over time, and the speaker will discuss what these sediment deposition patterns may mean to the fisheries of Lake Texoma, as well as to area residents and recreationists.
Presenter: Dr. Tim Patton, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
#2. A
Brush with Extinction: The California Condor, Bald Eagle, and Whooping
Crane. (Saturday, 11-11:45 a.m.)
An
assessment of the environmental threats and remedies applied to three
of America's great birds.
Presenter: Dr. Glenn Kroh, Associate Professor
of Biology, Texas Christian University.
#3. Birds of Prey: Raptors of North Texas . (Saturday, 12-12:45 p.m.)
This outstanding presentation is provided by the staff of the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. This non-profit organization will showcase several species of raptors and discuss the importance of birds of prey in the environment at 12:00 noon Saturday and Sunday. There will also be an exhibit with the birds in the Central Market Place all day Saturday and Sunday where you can view the birds and ask questions.
#4. From Cow Pastures to Lake Islands: The Movement, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology of Texoma's Cattle Egret Population. (Saturday, 1-1:45 p.m.) Highlights of animal behavior using our local, often misunderstood, "cattle" egret as subjects. Myths and hearsay examined against the evidence of science.
Presenter: Dr. Raelynn Deaton, Instructor of Biology, Sam Houston State University.
#5. The
Science Behind the Treasures of Lake Texoma. (Saturday, 2-2:45 p.m.)
This seminar will introduce the basic ecology of Lake Texoma, in
a casual, easy to understand format. You will be introduced to basic
ecological concepts that influence the health of the reservoir and
its inhabitants. This will include an introduction of the dominant
species of plants, insects, and fishes that occur in the lake. You
will learn about what they eat and what eats them. Additionally,
we will discuss each species’ role in the ecosystem and how
these species interact. By the end of this 30 minute lecture, you
will know the importance of these organisms in promoting a healthy
reservoir, and you will learn why a healthy reservoir is vital to
the economy of the region.
Presenter: Dr. Chad Hargrave, Assistant Professor of Biology, Sam Houston State University.
#6. Impact of Toxic Golden Algae on Sport-fishing at Lake Texoma. (Saturday, 3-3:45 p.m.)
This presentation
will focus on ongoing research conducted in Lake Texoma on toxic Golden Algae. The potential impact of this growth may prove detrimental to sport-fishing activities at Lake Texoma.
Presenter: Dr. James Easton, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University
of Oklahoma Biological Station.
Workshops: Held at the Sailing Center
#1. What to do in your garden this time of year . (Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Sailing School)
After the frustration of last summer’s drought, most gardeners are anxious to get started with what we hope will be a banner “normal” season. This seminar provides numerous recommendations that can be used to prepare your garden in the manner employed be the experts. Come prepared to takes notes and get the answers to your questions.
Presenter: Sue Crank, Master Gardner
#2. Successful Gardening in Texomaland . (Sunday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Sailing School)
Understand and learn the many dos and don'ts of successful vegetable and flower gardening in our area. The fruits, roots, pods, stems, and blooms of ones efforts will manifest themselves in the coming months and carry on for a lifetime. Look out Neal Sperry, here we come.
Presenter: Richard Green, Master Gardener of Grayson County.
Some great ocean adventures have begun right here on the Texas-Oklahoma border, where Valiant builds world-class sailboats at Cedar Mills Marina. Valiants are the world's most proven and successful offshore sailboats, based on the number of passages and circumnavigations and miles at sea. For over 20 years, Valiant Yachts has been headquartered and built at Cedar Mills Marina and Resort. See how these boats are built. Tours are scheduled at 3 pm Saturday and 10:00 am Sunday. Meet at the Ships Store.
With your bird identification manual in hand, stroll through the open areas, grasslands and wooded areas and along the shoreline at Cedar Mills Marina in search of that rarely seen species. You are on your own, so take quiet counsel with nature and note your findings. When you return to the Central Market you can have the fun of comparing your results with others.
If you live in or near an urban area, you probably have forgotten just how many stars are visible in the night sky. Of course, we are hoping for cloud-free nights . You will be amazed. There really is a Milky Way. Viewing areas available at the entrance to Thousand Trails Preserve, weather permitting. Observation will begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday.
Dinner at Pelicans Landing Waterfront Restaurant:
This wonderful restaurant has planned a special dinner menu just for
Eagle Questers.
Saturday night: 6:00 – 9:00 pm, treat yourselves to a
sumptuous "Four Course Dinner". You will have your choice of entrees as well as choice of salads, soups and desserts. Plan to just relax,
dine well and enjoy the mellow sounds of Mike Yancy on the piano and saxophone.
There will be two pricing levels offered, $15.95 or $21.95*.
Winter hours at the restaurant are: Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm, Saturday we open at 8:00 am and close at 10:00 pm, and our Sunday hours are from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.
*Charges are per person plus drink, tax and gratuity.