EventsCafe

BCO & REI Present: Summertime Dogs 101 – Hikes, Health & Happy Paws Keep your dog safe and healthy in the Houston heat June 13, 2016 - 7-8:30 PM REI - Galleria Area 7538 Westheimer Rd, Houston TX 77063 Join Bayou City Outdoors & REI as we explore all the places to take your dog to play in the and learn what you need to know to keep them happy & well in the sweltering summer There is nothing better than having your best friend along on those summer time strolls, hikes and lake trips. However, summer can be especially harmful for our furry friends. Join Bayou City Outdoors & REI as we explore all the places to take your dog to play in the summer and all the ways to keep them safe and healthy from heat stroke. We’ll be talking about: * Where to take your dog in the summer to keep them cool and safe * Pick up a detailed list of Dog Parks & Hiking Trails that are dog friendly * Dog safety in the Houston summer and how to tell if your dog is overheating and heading for a big problem (hint – it can happen VERY quickly) * Fit your dog for a life jacket and how to determine if they need one. * Fit your dog for boots and learn when they need to wear them and when they shouldn't Did you know that there are over 25 official dog parks in Houston and the surrounding areas? Dogs are allowed at most Houston and Texas State Parks but there are rules that you must follow to avoid a hefty fine! Did you also know that just like you, your dog could get sunburned? But, unlike you, they can’t cool their bodies by sweating. Come get informed and keep your dog safe and happy in the summer! We are proud to say that after this class last year, one of our attendees recognized the symptoms of heat stroke and was able to get their dog to the vet in time to save their dog’s life– a true Happy Tail! 7:00 pm, REI 7538 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77063. Find us in the back of the store in the warehouse area. Sorry - No dogs allowed in REI RSVP at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO - A Walk in the Woods aka Hiking Terry Hershey Park Woods June 11, 2016 Meet at 7:45, start 8 AM to 9:30 AM Cafe Express 1111 Eldridge Pkwy 77077 The Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail provides more than 10 miles of trail from Barker Dam (near State Highway 6) to Texas Beltway 8 and the Sam Houston Tollway. The paved walkways are located in the cleared stretch of the park, free of trees, and are about 10 feet in width. The dirt trails, however, cut through the densely grown forest growing along the bayou, and are not easily accessible. Join us for an hour and a half quick-paced hike through some of the lesser-known (and more adventuresome) trails our park has to offer. Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, it’s easy to bang a toe on a tree root. And, there’s some "elevation" in the park that you wouldn’t expect from just driving by. Remember to bring water; there are no water fountains along the trails. After the hike, join a group of us for brunch and coffee. Look for the group gathered at Cafe Express. There will be white and green Bayou City Outdoor signs with the group and on the vehicle. Event details: http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail: info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

National Trails Day at Huntsville State Park with BCO June 4, 2016 Meet at 8:30 am until 2 pm (with lunch) Huntsville State Park Nature Center 565 Park Road, 40 west Huntsville, TX 77342 Take a hike with Bayou City Outdoors at one of our favorite outdoor places, Huntsville State Park. We’ll be celebrating the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®, the country’s largest celebration of trails. (Read more about Trail day here: http://nationaltrailsday.americanhiking.org/) Plan on beating the heat with an early start for a 7-mile hike on the Chinquapin Trail. The hike will take about 3 hours so we expect to finish around 12. Cool off in the lake after the hike. Then stick around while we grill up something tasty for lunch. You must RSVP online by June 2nd for lunch, but you read right – lunch is on us (so don’t forget to RSVP)! The park is six miles southwest of Huntsville off of Interstate 45 on Park Road 40. If you have a Park Pass it is FREE, otherwise Entrance Fee is $5 and children under 12 are free. Look for the Bayou City Outdoors sign near the Nature Center. After lunch, feel free to hang around at the lake or check out some of the other trails on your own. Here is the link to the state park trail map (http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_044g.pdf) Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated! Sunscreen, hats and bug spray are also nice to haves! Bring a camping chair if you want to hang out for lunch. See you outdoors for a fun day in the woods! RSVP at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO A Social for the younger set... Thursday, March 31, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Axelrad Beer Garden 1517 Alabama St Houston, TX 77004 If you are looking for what to do in Houston, love getting outside and being active, but notice that most of your friends except for BCO'ers really would rather skip the outdoor playtime, then come connect here. Looking to connect socially with the younger side of BCO? It's easy to catch up with each other at some of the events, but for some reason we don't always connect at the socials - so this social is for us. It's a good chance to meet each other. It's an even better chance to plan some adventures. And, it's a great chance to find all the other BCO'ers who are on, shall we say, the younger side! See you at Axelrad! (Look for the white and green BCO sign) RSVP at bit.ly/1Y89HJA Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO Meet & Greet Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Live Oak Bar & Grill 10444 Hempstead Highway Houston, TX 77092 You won’t want to miss Houston's best social club monthly meeting for epic adventurers. Come unwind after a long week on one of Houston’s favorite inside and outside patios! The food is good and the beer is cold. Hang out with your BCO buds, meet new friends, and find out what we've got going on. We have most of the place to ourselves and Live Oak Bar & Grill has a great parking, food and drinks. The party is open to everyone so come alone, bring friends, come early and stay late or just drop in for a few minutes - but whatever you do – join us! You won’t want to miss this monthly meeting for epic adventure. PARKING: They have a great parking lot with plenty of space for all of us. RSVP at the BCO Calendar at http://bit.ly/20fEraW . Additional info call 713-524-3567 or email info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO - A Walk in the Woods Sunday, May 14, 2016 from 7:45 AM to 9:30 AM Memorial Park by the rugby/soccer field parking lot N Picnic Lane Houston, TX 77007 Memorial Park, known as the Central Park of H-town, is an amazing 1466-acre park (one of the largest in the county) right inside the loop! Trails are a mix of hard packed dirt, sand, trees and tree roots. It is wooded and wild in the middle of the city! Join us for an hour and a half quick-paced hike through some of the lesser-known (and more adventuresome) trails our park has to offer. Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, it’s easy to bang a toe on a tree root. And, there’s some "elevation" in the park that you wouldn’t expect from just driving by. Remember to bring water; there are no water fountains along the trails. After the hike, a group goes out for breakfast and coffee. Here’s what our friends at GHORBA.org have to say: “Memorial Park offers a convenient escape from the concrete jungle of Houston with seven miles of dirt trails. Trails are marked and named by their “Color” of trail markers. Please, check the meeting location map on the Bayou City Outdoors site calendar event details: http://bit.ly/1Q123R4 Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail: info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO Whitewater Kayaking 101 Weekend Friday, May 13, 2016 at 5:00 PM - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 3:00 PM Olympic Outdoor Center 602 North Interstate 35 San Marcos, TX 78666 Come join Bayou City Outdoors for a weekend (or day) of whitewater kayak instruction on the beautiful San Marcos River. Spring fed, the San Marcos is clear and 72 degrees year round. Our instructors are advanced kayakers and Olympian Ben Kvanli is our head instructor! You will learn handling skills, strokes, rolling your kayak, balance, equipment and gear and so much more! The San Marcos has several water features. On Saturday we run the lower San Marcos this allows us to learn and practice; ferrying, eddying out, strokes, river reading, rolling and much, much more. Most kayakers who have taken the class go on to become serious whitewater kayak addicts. This class is for beginners or intermediate kayakers alike. We paddle in whitewater boats with skirts and helmets and all gear is included in the cost of the class. Itinerary: Friday evening: Fitted in your boat, rolling practice, try and arrive between 6:00pm & 7:00pm. Introduction Dinner - Dinner in San Marcos if you can arrive in time. Saturday morning: 7:30 am - meet and head to the river. This is the day to learn the basics that you will use for the rest of your paddling career! Saturday evening - Dinner for those who stay over Sunday am - Rio Vista or River Trip. We leave the Center at 8:00am prompt so we can get on the river and beat the crowds! This is the day you put your skills learned the day before to use. Sunday afternoon - usually back at the Center around 3:00 and then we head back to Houston - tired, happy and ready to come back and do it again! BCO Members rate is $130.00 per person, per day. Non-Member rate is $155.00. Price includes kayak instruction, boat rental, paddle, helmet, life vest, and shuttle. Bring lots of water, snacks, cash/cc for lunch and sunscreen. Members & non-members RSVP at the BCO Calendar - registration is required at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com, non-members please call 713-524-3567 or email to info@BayouCityOutdoors.com

BCO Orientation Dinner Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Mia's Table 3131 Argonne St. Houston, TX 77098 You'll meet folks in the same exact boat as you and you'll learn a whole lot about all the fun Bayou City Outdoors has to offer. Are you new to BCO and curious to discover the ins, outs, and what all a social outdoor activity group like us has to offer? Have you been stalking the calendar for months (or years) and haven't joined yet... maybe you just have a few more questions? Or, you're already a member (maybe for quite some time now) but you might need some tips on navigating the website or you're still a little nervous about attending an event or outing alone. Just want to come say hi? Do it! You'll meet folks in the same exact boat as you and you'll learn a whole lot about all the fun Bayou City Outdoors has to offer. Our calendar can be intimidating and a little overwhelming with 80 to 100 events every month, so let us explain some of our favorites and tell you everything you need to know about being a BCO member. We'll fill you in on the perks, discounts, loaner gear, buddy program, website, RSVP tips and so much more. We try hard to make this a little more “formal” (if we could ever be accused of that!) then our Meet & Greets. Time and size permitting we will have a presentation, Q&A, and social time too. We may even have a few Event Leaders on hand to talk about their upcoming events! Come meet new members like yourself and learn about all the fun you're about to have in Houston and world-wide hiking, biking, traveling, kayaking, socializing and whatever we can come up with that’s fun! Parking – Some parking in the lot and around back. There is also parking on the surrounding residential streets. RSVP at http://bit.ly/1X9R6fy Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO and REI present Backpacking 101 Monday, April 11, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM REI - Houston (Galleria Area) 7538 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77063 Backpacking really is the ultimate way to get outside! Do you ever dream of sleeping under the stars, waking to the sound of nothing but nature as far as you can see. Imagine, after a day of hiking through forests, mountains & deserts, you get to relax in a remote campsite using only what you have brought in your backpack. Backpacking really is the ultimate way to get outside! Sound too difficult? It won't be, once you learn the basics in Backpacking 101. We will review trip-planning tips, gear lists, what you REALLY need to bring, safety advice, and other essential wisdom nuggets every backpacker ought to know. There will also be backpacking fittings and demonstrations. Plus, show and tell on how to properly pack your backpack. We will also look at menus and water treatment options. This evening we have special guest speakers & BCO Backpacking experts of all levels and travel experience. Get ready to pick the minds of some people with some serious knowledge! Find us in the back of the store in the warehouse (by the restrooms) 7:00 - 8:30PM; REI, 7538 Westheimer Rd. (at Voss), Houston, TX 77063. Look for the white and green Bayou City Outdoors signs. RSVP at http://bit.ly/1Rc5mUM Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO A Social for the younger set... Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge 308 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 If you are looking for what to do in Houston, love getting outside and being active, but notice that most of your friends except for BCO'ers really would rather skip the outdoor playtime, then come connect here. Looking to connect socially with the younger side of BCO? It's easy to catch up with each other at some of the events, but for some reason we don't always connect at the socials - so this social is for us. It's a good chance to meet each other. It's an even better chance to plan some adventures. And, it's a great chance to find all the other BCO'ers who are on, shall we say, the younger side! See you at Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge! (Look for the white and green BCO sign) Parking: There is an abundance of on street parking in downtown. Metered on-street parking is free all day on Sunday’s. Never park at a red meter or if the street has red markings. Milam and Travis streets along the park are also considered mobility lanes so you cannot park there from 7-9 am or 4-6 pm. $5 parking is also available at Market Square Garage at 300 Milam, which is conveniently located across the street from the park. RSVP at http://bit.ly/1R9OSMU Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Thursday, March 24, 2016 BCO Meet & Greet 6:30 PM -9 PM Lucky's Pub 2520 Houston Ave Houston, TX 77009 Great patio, great food, huge beer selection and great sports viewing areas just north of downtown in the trendy Houston Heights - join BCO for a Meet & Greet this Evening at one of our favorite spots, Lucky’s Pub! Nothing better than an evening chilling with friends, making new ones, plotting adventures and finding out what to do in this amazing city of ours – so come out and play! We will be on the patio if the weather is nice. The party is open to everyone so come alone, bring friends, come early and stay late or just drop in for a few minutes - but whatever you do – join us! You won’t want to miss this monthly meeting for epic adventurers. Parking: Park in their large parking lot, the grassy area or the field across the street. Some parking on the residential streets too. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Sunday, March 20, 2016 BCO Graffiti Art & Food Truck Bike Ride 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Market Square Park (in front of Niko Niko's) 301 Milam Street Houston, TX 77002 Our last Graffiti Ride was amazing. We discovered new art (Houston just hosted two big Street Art events) and the quality just keeps getting better. Graffiti has moved from outlaw to street art, and some of the top artists and newcomers are painting it up right here in Houston. We’ll be riding around H-town checking out some of the more prominent and promising graphics to be seen. Most of the ride today is on the streets of Houston, so DON’T forget your helmet – if you do, we will have a few to lend. We’ll wind down the day back at Market Square and the Niko Niko’s patio area. So bring some cash, your wheels, your helmet and see art like you have never seen it before, from the seat of your bike! Meet at the square and get ready to bike Houston with a bunch of new friends! Meet at Market Square Park in front of Niko Niko's, look for the bikes and the white and green Bayou City outdoors signs. Parking: There is an abundance of on street parking in downtown. Metered on-street parking is free all day on Sunday’s. Never park at a red meter or if the street has red markings. Milam and Travis streets along the park are also considered mobility lanes so you cannot park there from 7-9 am or 4-6 pm. $5 parking is also available at Market Square Garage at 300 Milam, which is conveniently located across the street from the park. Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com

Tuesday, March 15 BCO Orientation Dinner 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Beaver's 2310 Decatur St Houston, TX 77007 Are you new to BCO and curious to discover the ins, outs, and what all a social outdoor activity group like us has to offer? Have you been stalking the calendar for months (or years) and haven't joined yet... maybe you just have a few more questions? Or, you're already a member (maybe for quite some time now) but you might need some tips on navigating the website or you're still a little nervous about attending an event or outing alone. Just want to come say hi? Do it! You'll meet folks in the same exact boat as you and you'll learn a whole lot about all the fun Bayou City Outdoors has to offer. Our calendar can be intimidating and a little overwhelming with 80 to 100 events every month, so let us explain some of our favorites and tell you everything you need to know about being a BCO member. We'll fill you in on the perks, discounts, loaner gear, buddy program, website, RSVP tips and so much more. We try hard to make this a little more “formal” (if we could ever be accused of that!) then our Meet & Greets. Time and size permitting we will have a presentation, Q&A, and social time too. We may even have a few Event Leaders on hand to talk about their upcoming events! Come meet new members like yourself and learn about all the fun you're about to have in Houston and world-wide hiking, biking, traveling, kayaking, socializing and whatever we can come up with that’s fun! Parking – Some parking in the lot and around back. There is also parking on the surrounding residential streets. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Monday, March 14 BCO & REI Present: Kayaking 101 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM REI 7538 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77063 Kayaking is so much fun, and of course, fun is good! It's exercise, it's meditation, it's friendship, it's adventure, it is really whatever you want it to be. Please come join us for an evening of all-things-kayak, you'll be hooked in no time at all! “It's opener, out there, in the wide, open air.” Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go! Kayaking is a magical opportunity to see the world from the beauty of our lakes, streams, bayous, rivers and oceans. Kayaking is fun, easy and doesn't require a lot of strength. In fact, one of the things we will cover this evening is proper kayaking technique doesn't mean arm muscles - it's abs that get you where you want to go, and we will show you how to get where you want to go. Have questions about gear? What kind of boat is good for a beginner? Do you use different boat for different water? What paddle do you need? Do you have to wear a pfd (life jacket)? What other gear is needed to get you out on the water? The only thing more fun than talking about gear is using it - tonight we're just talking Bet you will be surprised by all the things you can do in a kayak. We paddle around Houston (it is the Bayou City, you know) we paddle around the state (there are amazing places in Texas) and we paddle around the world (Scotland & Guatemala last year). Ever heard of Kayak Polo? We play a version every month that is a little more like kayak hockey - in pool. We'll even teach you to roll your kayak back up if you flip. Once you have that down, then you might just want to join us for some whitewater lessons! What about the Buffalo Bayou Regatta? Only the coolest kayak race/paddle in the state! Want to chill a little, take your puppy for ride! There are so many wonderful places to get on the water in and around town and around the state. This is a great opportunity to receive firsthand recommendations, ask questions an even learn about future BCO events on the water and activities to join in on! “Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!” Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go! RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or email to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Friday, February 26 BCO Meet & Greet 6:30 PM -9 PM 3rd Floor 2303 Smith St #300 Houston, TX 77006 Join BCO for a Meet & Greet at 3rd Floor – a fairly new, open, loft bar with a great patio and views (it’s above Pub Fiction). There’s a full bar and a pretty good food and snack menu. Nothing better than an evening chilling with friends, making new ones, plotting adventures and finding out what to do in this amazing city of ours – so come out and play! Not sure exactly which area we will be in so please look for the White and Green Bayou City Outdoors sign and the big group! The party is open to everyone so come alone, bring friends, come early and stay late or just drop in for a few minutes - but whatever you do – join us! You won’t want to miss this monthly meeting for epic adventurers. Parking – beware, we are venturing into Midtown with all the joys that parking brings…there is valet parking in the lot for $7. There is free street parking after 6:00pm, keep in mind, you are jockeying for the street parking with the valets. They are ruthless There are also a couple of street lots on Louisiana and Smith. Just show up a little early, plan on taking a little time if you need it and parking like we really do live in the 4th largest city in the country and then join us upstairs for a beverage – it will be fun! RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or email to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Tuesday, February 16 BCO Orientation Dinner 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Beaver's 2310 Decatur St Houston, TX 77007 Are you new to BCO and curious to discover the ins, outs, and what all a social outdoor activity group like us has to offer? Have you been stalking the calendar for months (or years) and haven't joined yet... maybe you just have a few more questions? Or, you're already a member (maybe for quite some time now) but you might need some tips on navigating the website or you're still a little nervous about attending an event or outing alone. Just want to come say hi? Do it! You'll meet a folks in the same exact boat as you and you'll learn a whole lot about all the fun Bayou City Outdoors has. Our calendar can be intimidating and a little overwhelming with 80 to 100 events every month, so let us explain some of our favorites and tell you everything you need to know about being a BCO member. We'll fill you in on the perks, discounts, loaner gear, buddy program, website, RSVP tips and so much more. Come meet a few new members like yourself and learn about all the fun you're about to have. We may even have a few event leaders on hand too! Parking - Some parking in the lot and around back. There is also parking on the surrounding residential streets RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Saturday, February 13, 2016 BCO Valentine's Farmers Market Bike Ride 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Onion Creek 3106 White Oak Blvd Houston, TX 77007 Love is good. Love with really good food is even better! If you plan on treating yourself or a loved one with a delicious home cooked meal tonight, you might as well opt for the freshest & tastiest around! Did you know many of our local restaurateurs shop at the Farmers Markets each week for handcrafted cheeses, local produce, baked goods and locally sourced organic meats? Our job is to pedal fast enough to beat them to the market but slow enough to enjoy the ride ). No problem for us! We’ll use the side streets, trails, and residential areas in the heart of Houston to meander our way around. This is a very social ride (we chat a lot) all levels of riders and all types of sweeties are welcome. We will start the morning off with a leisurely coffee at Onion Creek and then cruise to the best market in town to shop for fresh produce, sauces, jams, and bread. This is a 12-15 mile ride that lasts about three hours so bring plenty of water and a backpack to carry your goodies! We ride at a casual pace, and everyone is welcome. We have 1 rule: helmets ARE required. If you don’t have a helmet come anyway, we have plenty of loaner helmets for everyone. Plan on sticking around after the ride to enjoy lunch at Onion Creek Cafe. They are a locally owned eatery and one of the first of it’s kind. Good food, good brews and good friends on this Valentine's Day. No bike? No worries! You can pick up a bike from the B-Cycle kiosk around town: http://houston.bcycle.com Or go to one of your local bikes shops like: Bike Barn -@http://bikebarn.com/, Planetary Cycles @ http://planetarycycles.com/, or Houston Cycling Centres @ http://northwestcyclery.com/. If you are a member of Bayou City Outdoors and do not have a bike, we can loan you a bike for the ride. But you MUST call the office 1 to 2 weeks in advance to arrange for the loaner bike. Meet at Onion Creek, 3106 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007. Please DO NOT park in the Onion Creek lot – there is parking on the surrounding streets but look out for ‘no parking’ signs. Meet at 8:30 – leave at 9:00AM to Noon. Free for members and non-members alike. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Thursday, January 28 BCO 8th Annual Travel Party 6:30 – 9:00 PM Hughes Hangar 2811 Washington Ave Houston, TX 77007 Pack your bags, find your passport, and if you don’t have a travel companion – don’t worry – there are always plenty of fun BCO adventurers up for a little jaunt! In 2015 we went to Nepal, Oregon, Colorado, Iceland, Greece, Costa Rica, Vancouver, and biked Big Bend and hiked Smokey Mountains, and Grand Canyon North and South Rims to name just a few! What does 2016 have in store for Bayou City Outdoors? We’ll be showcasing some of our newest trips tonight but here’s a quick sneak peak: Plan climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skiing Beaver Creek, biking next to the Danube in Austria, checking out West Texas Fitness Camp, exploring Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, hiking New Zealand, biking and touring Italy, hanging out in the Hill Country at the annual Rock Out Weekend, and more! (These are only the trips we’re leaking to press right now). Join us to learn about all the travel adventure 2016 has to offer. Tonight you will get all the details on almost all of the 2016 trips planned. You’ll meet the trip leaders, connect with travel companions, and make some awesome new friends. All you have to do sign up for the trips you want, grab your passport, pack your camera, and plan on adventuring with BCO – see you on the road! Parking: There is valet parking for $5 in the Hughes Hangar's parking lot. There are parking meters along Washington Ave that run until 2 AM for a couple of dollars an hour. And, there is free street parking on Center St., which is 1 block north of Washington – look both ways before crossing the street RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or email to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Thursday, January 21 BCO Orientation Dinner 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Beaver's 2310 Decatur St Houston, TX 77007 Are you new to BCO and curious to discover the ins, outs, and what all a social outdoor activity group like us has to offer? Have you been stalking the calendar for months (or years) and haven't joined yet... maybe you just have a few more questions? Or, you're already a member (maybe for quite some time now) but you might need some tips on navigating the website or you're still a little nervous about attending an event or outing alone. Just want to come say hi? Do it! You'll meet folks in the same exact boat as you and you'll learn a whole lot about all the fun Bayou City Outdoors has to offer. Our calendar can be intimidating and a little overwhelming with 80 to 100 events every month, so let us explain some of our favorites and tell you everything you need to know about being a BCO member. We'll fill you in on the perks, discounts, loaner gear, buddy program, website, RSVP tips and so much more. We try hard to make this a little more “formal” (if we could ever be accused of that!) then our Meet & Greets. Time and size permitting we will have a presentation, Q&A, and social time too. We may even have a few Event Leaders on hand to talk about their upcoming events! Come meet new members like yourself and learn about all the fun you're about to have in Houston and world-wide hiking, biking, traveling, kayaking, socializing and whatever we can come up with that’s fun! Parking – Some parking in the lot and around back. There is also parking on the surrounding residential streets. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Wednesday, January 20 BCO - A Social for the younger set... 7:00-9:00 PM Lei Low 6412 N Main St Houston, TX 77009 Looking to connect socially with the younger side of BCO? It's easy to catch up with each other at some of the events, but for some reason we don't always connect at the socials - so this social is for us. If you love getting outside and being active, but notice that most of your friends except for BCO'ers really would rather skip the outdoor playtime, then come connect here. It's a good chance to meet each other. It's an even better chance to plan some adventures. And, it's a great chance to find all the other BCO'ers who are on, shall we say, the younger side! See you at Lei Low! (Look for the white and green BCO sign) RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Sunday, January 17, 2016 BCO - A Walk in the Woods aka Terry Hershey Park - Hike the Ant Hills 9 AM – 10:30 AM Let's meet at Cafe Express: 1111 Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, TX 77077 The Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail is an east-west route along the banks of the Buffalo Bayou in western Houston. It provides more than 10 miles of trail from Barker Dam (near State Highway 6) to Texas Beltway 8 and the Sam Houston Tollway. The paved walkways are located in the cleared stretch of the park, free of trees, and are about 10 feet in width. The dirt trails, however, cut through the densely grown forest growing along the bayou, and are not easily accessible. Join us for an hour and a half quick-paced hike through some of the lesser-known (and more adventuresome) trails our park has to offer. Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, it’s easy to bang a toe on a tree root. And, there’s some "elevation" in the park that you wouldn’t expect from just driving by. Remember to bring water; there are no water fountains along the trails. After the hike, join a group of us for brunch and coffee. Look for the group gathered at Cafe Express, 1111 Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, TX 77077. There will be white and green Bayou City Outdoor signs with the group and on the vehicle. Please, check the meeting location map on the Bayou City Outdoors site calendar event details & RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Monday, January 11, 2016 Bayou City Outdoors & REI Present: Biking 101 7 PM – 8:30 PM 7538 Westheimer Houston, TX 77063 REI – in the back of the store Houston has it all when you're looking to bike! If you want to cruise, commute, mountain bike or road bike, we'll show you where to go and how to get started. Who needs to drive when Houston has over 80 miles of trails in the parks and 345 miles of street trails? Don’t own a bike yet? No problem, we have B-Cycle, in fact we have one of the largest fleets of bicycle sharing in the country http://houston.bcycle.com Or, go to one of your local bikes shops like: Bike Barn -@ http://bikebarn.com/, Planetary Cycles @ http://planetarycycles.com/, or Houston Cycling Centres @ http://northwestcyclery.com/. With information on the best routes in Houston and some simple bike maintenance tips, you'll enjoy riding the streets (or the trails) on your bicycle with ease and confidence! We’ll also give you the top 3 things you should check on your bike before every ride to keep you safe and comfy. Once you are ready to roll, we invite you to join us on one of the featured Bayou City Outdoors biking events – we have a sweet Valentine's Farmers Market Ride on February 13th. There is no love greater than fresh and organic produce! RSVP at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com or additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO Post Holiday Party (Grinches Unite!) December 26, 2015 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM Sambuca Downtown 909 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002 Saturday night after Christmas and we didn't have anything to do but invite all of BCO & Houston to a Grinches Unite party! We're a little late for Christmas, a little early for New Years Eve, it's not quite Hogswatch and Boxing Day is so Canadian, eh? So let's celebrate a night in Houville (pronounced Whoville, of course). Sambuca's is prepared for the onslaught of Houston Whos. Come as a Who, come as a Grinch, come as a dog in antlers or just come as yourself. Live music begins about 8:30 pm, but the party starts earlier - so don't be late! We'll in the bar and then spread over the restaurant. Sambuca's is known for delectable bites & awe inspiring libations, come hungry and thirsty. Stay late and be merry, very! PARKING: It's Houston folks, so be prepared! There is always valet for $5 in front of the Rice Lofts (next door to Sambuca). There is on-street parking for FREE after 6:00 pm, but you have to look for it. Here's a nifty, interactive parking locator map: http://www.bestparking.com/houston-parking/that will give you surface lots and garages in the area. You'll find there are several within walking distance. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

BCO Meet & Greet November 19, 2015 - 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Byzantio 403 West Gray, Houston, TX 77019 Join BCO for a Meet & Greet at Byzantio for some superior refreshments and respite. Nothing better than an evening chilling with friends, making new ones, plotting adventures and finding out what to do in this amazing city of ours – so come out and play! We have a lounge area to ourselves and Byzantio has a great patio, food and drinks. The party is open to everyone so come alone, bring friends, come early and stay late or just drop in for a few minutes - but whatever you do – join us! You won’t want to miss this monthly meeting for epic adventurers. RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

9th Annual BCO Haunted Hike October 31, 2015 6:30- 9:30 PM Meet at Memorial Park near the rugby/soccer field parking lot N Picnic LN - South side of Memorial (map link at www.bayoucityoutdoors.com) Get your spooky on with BCO as we hike and slither our way through Memorial Park wooded trails off the beaten path. What better to do on Halloween than to taunt the forest trolls. We will nourish ourselves afterwards with pizza and beverages, for those who make it out of the forest. Tap into your inner wolf or go all vampy on us, or come as your witchy self. Leave the bars to the zombies and join us in the woods for some quality and creepy exercise and socializing at Memorial Park. We meet at 6:30 and depart at 7 PM sharp from the rugby/soccer field parking lot (For you chickens out there - just come to the after-party starting around 8 PM in the parking lot). Don’t get left in the dark and don’t forget to wear walking shoes (it is a hike no matter how dead you are), a flashlight, bug spray, and $5.00 for pizza. Open to members, guests and the public (we love fresh meat) – bring a friend or come alone, if you dare. You'll be sure to find a devil or two to talk to. (Please no dogs at this hike) *Bring $5 cash for pizza and your favorite after hike beverage (NO glass bottles). Meeting location: http://goo.gl/maps/GJaN (where we meet for trail running) RSVP at http://www.bayoucityoutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com