TSP Ladies

 Activities for spouses of Astronomers

We are providing non-astronomy activities for women who would like other things to do including:

  • Shopping Tour (Thursday). Join us (Peggy & Valerie) on a unique shopping trip to near by Alpine.
  • Group Tour of Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University in Alpine (Friday) [RSVP Only], (shared with all TSP attendees)
  •   Tuesday Night at the Movies (sponsored by TSP Ladies/everyone welcome!)  – TBD
  • Bird-watching Walks (shared with all TSP attendees)
  • Try the TSP nighttime Skies! Proudly wear your own TSP pin, by observing 10 naked-eye objects in the TSP Novice Observing Program

Come visit the TSP Ladies website at Shutterfly. (Password = tspladies)

The TSP Ladies website includes pictures from the activities, a message board, and other community features to meet and talk with other TSP Ladies.

  •  Afternoon Formal Texas Tea at the TSP

     

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    • What: The highlight of the Ladies activities at TSP has been the afternoon tea. We have tried to honor the traditions of the proper English afternoon tea.  We have also featured treats that honored traditions of our varied attendees .
    • When:       Postponed until TSP 2019
    • Where: The Big House at Prude Ranch (built 1911, a Texas Historic Landmark)
    • Hosted by: Betty Prude of The Prude Ranch and Peggy Gilchrist
    • Dress Code:  Required dress or skirt/blouse, as seen at one of our recent group photos.  (Hats are optional).
    • RSVP is required.  Submit your TSP Ladies Tea Reservation Request  soon!!!
      We will send a confirmation if accepted (first 20 to apply!) TSP Ladies Only!
    • Photos: See our TSP Ladies Tea 2009-2017 pictures on the TSP Ladies website! (Password = tspladies)

    • Shopping Tour at Alpine:

      Shopping in Alpine (Thursday)

      • Meet in front of Ranch Office at 12:30 PM Thursday. We’ll team up for carpool(s).
      • We’ll provide a map and addresses for your consideration
      • Browse the shops along Holland Ave where you can visit galleries featuring local art, hand made jewelry, pottery, and a wide selection of cosmetics and beauty products made from natural ingredients found in the desert.
      • Venture into the Black Cat resale shop
      • Visit our local True Value  for a unique perspective on Hardware.
      • The Christmas Store is open all year and full of treasures.
      • A stop in Front Street Books store is a must.
      • Schedule a Spa day or get your nails done at one of the local shops.
      • There are several places to get refreshments along the way.
      • Tour the Historic Holland Hotel or venture across the tracks to Murphy Street for a different prospective.
      • Antique stores

       

  • Tour of Museum of the Big Bend:

    Group Tour of Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University in Alpine (Friday).

    • When:   (CANCELLED 2018)   Friday departs at 1:30 PM
    • Where:  Meet outside the Ranch front office, immediately after the group photo
    • Cost:  $5/person
    • Includes:
      • Curator-led tour of the Big Bend Legacy permanent exhibit
        • Natural history, human history and confluence of cultures in the Big Bend region
        • Including many relics and displays of pioneer and native American life.
        • View a 2 minute video of Big Bend Legacy exhibit
      • A personalized tour of the Map collection
        • Led by Matt Walter, Historian & Curator of Cartographic Collections
        • One of the largest and most diversified selections of Texas maps in the state
        • See the original first map to depict the Americas as separate continents (1550 A.D.)
        • The collection is housed in a special map room
        • View examples of the maps on display
    • Hosted by:  TSP Ladies
    • Dress Code:   dress comfortably!
    • RSVP is required.   (CANCELLED 2018!)   Submit your Museum of the Big Bend Tour request  soon!!!
      Open to all TSP attendees!   Limited to 16 people!

  • Birdwatching Walks:

    a 1 1/2 hour Bird Walk on the Ranch!


    • This is a great opportunity to hone your OBSERVING skills and find out some of the tricks and techniques to see and identify birds!
    • Meet us at the front porch of the Lodge Building (north of Upper Observing field)
    • 8 AM on Tuesday and Thursday: special tours conducted by our experts Madge Lindsay and Cecilia Riley.  The Thursday tour ($10 donation requested) will be a carpool to her home and excellent photography opportunity for bird closeups at her feeders.
    • 8 AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Join Darrell Lee and others for walks in various bird-productive areas of the ranch!
    • Bring water, sun protection/hat, and a notepad/pen. Binoculars and a birding book will also be useful, if you have them.
    • What Birds can you see?  Read the Birding Checklist from some of our walks in 2016 and 2014!