So, Where Are Y'all From? - #53

There is a U.S. map that hangs in our rec hall (now rally hall) plodded with colored pushpins representing "home". Though we are all Winter Texans, we are almost all from someplace else, escaping the snow and cold. 

I was surprised to meet so many people from Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana and Iowa. There is one other couple here from New England (Maine) and we have met couples from as far away as Germany and Hawaii. It is interesting to find out what has led us all to the RV lifestyle, this RV park. And actually, we are probably one of the fewer "city" people - many Skyliners have large farms, ranches and properties back at home. 

I can probably name at least 75 people I have become acquainted with - probably more. We share pot luck suppers, bean bags at "happy hour", holiday dinners, game nights, lunches out, ice cream sundaes. 

This adventure has taught me a lot about myself. 

It isn't always easy to put yourself in unfamiliar territory - not only in location but amongst people. 

Taking a chance, not having all the answers, not knowing where the road will lead... 

Winter Skyliners tend to be very welcoming and inclusive; many have been coming for years and have developed close friendships. Charlie and I are not the most outgoing people, but we do participate and I have learned not to take things personally. I just try to be myself and I don't worry about what other people think. I'm good with me. 

I have reserved our same site here for next winter. As of this writing, I am not sure we will actually return.  Couple of reasons why.

First and foremost - distance. Granted, we could choose a different travel path to visit more states while enroute.  However, I would just like to be a little closer to home (staying within a 1500 mile range) perhaps closer to the Mississippi or Alabama coasts. 

I also want to experience a different area of the country. Although we love Skyline Ranch, we are still very new to long term RVing. I have a couple of RV parks in mind for next winter, one that might even include workamping for me.  We will see. I probably need to make a decision soon.

                                                    

Three Holidays and a Wedding - #52

 We have so enjoyed celebrating the fall and winter holidays at Skyline Ranch - although at 81 degrees today - it feels like anything but winter! I am sitting outside in shorts and t-shirt enjoying every bit of this glorious weather!

On Christmas Eve, we joined an evening "social" - complete with appetizers, beverages and a gift swap! What fun it was! I wound up with a bag of delicious coffee and Charlie, a funny calendar to begin each day with a smile. Our Christmas Day dinner was again turkey and ham, provided by the park and tons of side dishes contributed by the campers; I still have some of the leftovers in my freezer!  This time I made candied yams.  I am thankful every day for my electric skillet - which I use to either cook and/or just keep prepared foods warm. I have found it to be such a diverse appliance!

                                  Striking evening skies on Christmas Day.

The biggest surprise of Christmas Day, however, was an announcement by of two of our fellow campers; they were getting married! And then they followed that statement with "on New Year's Eve at Skyline Ranch"! Wow! We were all soooo excited!

In between Christmas and New Year's - since the weather was still so good - we planned a two-day getaway to Llano, Texas with a stop on the way home in Fredericksburg (about midway), a city also in central Texas known for its German heritage. Firstly, why Llano? I had been looking to do some rock hunting once again; the Llano River area was recommended as place to find lots of different samples - including the one of a kind "llanite". We did find some interesting rocks and on further inspection, we might have a real piece of llanite along with a piece of granite speckled with actual gold. I think we also found a piece of mica-shist and many other cool looking rocks. I continue to do my research.

 
            mica schist                                              gold flakes in granite

To our surprise, we actually loved Llano - what a beautiful little town! A little larger than Bandera, but a more contemporary feel.  The Llano River is much wider and steadily flowing, with a pretty bridge that spans the waterway. Our hotel was just a block from the river and Badu Park, which still sported its walk-thru Christmas Light display; it was incredible! What a great job done by this town! I was also enamored by the fabulous sunsets and couldn't stop taking photos as the sky colors changed.

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We also found ourselves eating at some fabulous places; Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ, The Hungry Hunter, and Fuel Coffee House. Cooper's was an experience! We selected our choice of meats outside on the pit; they cut and put it on a tray; we carried the trays inside where they weighed our selection and added any side dishes we wanted to try.  No plates here - we each received a sheet of butcher paper to lay our food out! OMG! It was so delicious!

 

Fredericksburg is only 38 miles from Llano (and 50 miles from Bandera). We spent a good part of our time visiting the Museum of the Pacific War. We were totally unprepared for this museum.  Without even trying, we spent two hours; this museum actually requires a full day to read and appreciate the wealth of information it offers.  I just kept on thinking how much my own father would have loved this place.  Afterwards, we strolled through the abundance of shops and headed to have lunch at the Old German Bakery and Restaurant recommended by Arlene and Jerrel.  I had the bratwurst, which was really good but we both really loved the sauerkraut! I also purchased some additional goodies from the bakery to bring home. Charlie bought a new belt, which he truly needed and we also bought some unusual foods (chocolate banana peanut butter and peach bbq sauce) from Rustlin' Bob's Texas Gourmet Foods to bring home. Fredericksburg is a fun place to visit with lots to do!

                                     

Needless to say, we had been doing a lot of eating the last week and with the forthcoming holidays, I knew this was not going to be over yet! 

On Thursday, we spent a final evening with our neighbors and new friends, Ed and Joyce; they were getting ready to move on to a new location on 12/31. Their "site" looks so empty without them and we sure miss their company! We will be making plans to visit them before we head home to Massachusetts. "See you down the road - Joyce and Ed"! (Quote from movie Nomadland )

                                    

Bingo also began Thursday nights.  Needless to say - no luck! We do much better at card bingo!

Then came New Year's Eve - appetizers, beverages, music and the Wedding! It was just so lovely and a really exciting moment at Skyline Ranch! 

And today, New Year's Day.  January 1st, 2022! We all got together late this morning for pot-luck brunch.  It was delicious and I have vowed to stop eating after this! We contributed waffles with blueberry and strawberry toppings, whipped cream and/or maple syrup!  Oh the food! 

Charlie and I wish everyone a wonderful - happy, healthy 2022! Love you!