2012 Texas Hill Country Spring Rally

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2012 Texas Hill Country Spring Rally

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                                                                             RECAP

                                                           2012 Texas Hill Country Spring Rally
                                                                      April, 12-15, 2012
                                                                      Fredericksburg, TX

The wildflowers arrived! In spite of a severe year-long Hill Country drought, timely winter rains and an unusually warm spring produced an early abundance of Bluebonnet, Indian Paintbrush and Wine Cup blooms still going strong as the rally opened. A number of folks grabbed a map upon arrival and headed out to Willow City, a rural community north of Fredericksburg renowned for profusions of Bluebonnets. None were disappointed.

A wine and cheese social Thursday evening gave the 21 attendees a chance to see old friends and renew acquaintances. Indeed it quickly became evident that name tags were completely unnecessary!

Following Coffee "and" the following morning we were off to tour the George H. W. Bush Gallery National Museum of the Pacific War, a recently expanded and reconstructed 33,000 square foot museum chronicling the war in the pacific from failed diplomatic efforts to the Japanese surrender. Most admitted it was an intense experience; so common a reaction, in fact, that tickets are good for 48 hours. A great many people find it too overwhelming for a single day, and is better absorbed in two separate visits.

Emerging from the Bush Gallery, some visited the Admiral Nimitz Museum (the Fleet Admiral was born and raised in Fredericksburg) the Memorial Courtyard or Plaza of Presidents. Others strolled historic Main Street or went exploring for wildflowers. We finished the day with an ample (and delicious) Texas barbecue dinner catered by the good folks at Cranky Franks BBQ.

Saturday morning Jerry Ehrhardt, a long time Born Free salesman drove over from Austin to greet coach owners he'd known in the past, and introduce himself to everyone else. Jerry related to us his miraculous recovery from illness, his re-association with Born Free and his unbridled enthusiasm for the prospects of the Born Free motorcoach. The future looks bright!

The balance of the day was unscripted; many ralliers headed to Wildseed Farm (the largest wildflower seed producer in the country) the LBJ Summer White House, hit the Wine Trail, explored the Hill Country or browsed the local shops. An important task: select one of many restaurants for dinner that evening!

The last day of our rally got off to a "comfy" start. This was a day to sleep in a bit before attending the matinee performance at the Rockbox Theater. The Rockbox is an unusual venue, offering guaranteed family friendly comedy and classic rock 'n roll music from the days when we were all a lot younger! Rated the #1 attraction in Texas by TripAdvisor.com the theater features a resident professional cast in a show that changes every weekend. How do they do that?

However they do it, judging by the smiles and approving comments, they do it very, very well!

Our evening meal following the show was a Never-to-be-Missed Born Free Pot Luck Dinner! Oh, the ladies sure can cook! More than one gentleman released his belt a notch or two by the time the dishes were cleared away and the card games started! Monday morning was "goodbye" but no one was in a hurry to leave. Folks lingered over coffee and pleasant conversation in the rally room, some 'till mid morning, before firing up their coach and heading for the next destination.

The Hill Country is wonderful in the spring. The wildflowers are out and the temperatures are comfortable ------- and the natives are friendly, all the time! It seems the rally attendees agree; there was some gentle prompting to "do it again next year".

Submitted by: Neil Priestley

NOTE! This recap was posted for the author by the Website Administrator (bfadmin-2).
Last edited by bfadmin on Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Janet

Yes, Please!!

Post by Janet »

Please do it again next year. We were unable to come this year but have wanted to go back into that area since we stopped with a motorcoach trip last year.
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