Texas Hill Country Hoopla!!!
Bluff Trails Ranch
Ingram, Texas
March 12-18,2007

This rally was hosted by the notorious and infamous "James Gang" and from the very beginning was packed with real Texas flavor. Everyone decked out the first day in their hats and boots (Frank even had his rifle!). The rec hall was beautiful with a huge fireplace, which was kept burning the entire week. We had Texas flags and bluebonnets on our tables to remind us where we were. When all 18 rigs had arrived, the hosts served "Gen-u-wine" Texas Chili and Texas Sheath Cake. We watched as the sun went down to see wild turkey, deer and antelope graze in the field next to our trailers. It was a beautiful Hill Country setting on Johnson Creek with beautiful bluffs nearby. Ida and Burnel picked a little while some tossed washers. After a really great Texas weather day, the evening turned out to be stormy, but we all fared well.

On Tuesday, a new tradition bloomed. The James Gang Omelettes were introduced to the group, consisting of an omelette filled with your favorite things and boiled in a kettle for 8 minutes. The result was a beautiful omelette and the cleanup is minimal. Ardis Schenk passed out her Hill Country Travel Hints, and most went off to see the sights. The Cowboy Art Museum, Bandero, Medina and Enchanted Rock were some of the favorites. Dinner was on your own, with several of us sampling the seafood at LaFour's.

On Wednesday, more travel and fun. Several ladies went to the James Avery Jewelry Store, where we got to see the craftsmen at work and also meet Mr. Avery in the flesh. The Brian's arrived and, after driving to Po-Po's in Boerne for dinner, we played card games and a new game called "Apples to Apples".

On Thursday, we had a particularly fun evening which began with a group photo on the banks of the Johnson Creek. We scheduled a Happy Hour, which was followed by Chicken Fajitas and Frijoles. We played a very exciting game of "Park the Wagon". It was interesting to see how we fared when we could not give hand signals and could only speak the directions to a blindfolded driver. Wow!!

The next day we enjoyed Beef Brisket and one of our favorites--a potluck dinner. Les fished while Burnel looked for rocks to wash, and Jack collected river rocks for his son's aquarium. The weather was wonderful! On Saturday morning, after a breakfast of Burritos, we all shared St. Patrick's Day wishes and passed out green beads to wear. The group went to the movies later to see "Wild Hogs" (very funny!), and to the China Inn or Billie Jean's for dinner. Les finally caught something--Himself! He had to be "unhooked" by passersby.

On Sunday, after donuts and kolaches, we were off to the next rally in the series of three--Portland, Texas, near Corpus Christi.

James & Susie Smith along with Max and Maverick