Leaving The Campsite Better Than We Found It

From an early age most campers strive for conservation, especially while camping.  We use the beautiful environments in which we camp to teach our children to take care of the environment and each other.  Whether it's a final sweep of the campsite to pick up litter, leaving only footprints on the nature trail, or taking only memories and pictures, these things teach the youngest of campers an important element for their future.  We teach that there is joy in giving and that there is a blessing in service.  We model that we can accomplish more as a group than what each of us is capable of doing.  We also demonstrate that each of our unique strengths, gifts and talents can be combined to create something magnificent.  We also show that it really isn't hard to be kind, especially when we allow ourselves to see the needs around us.

Each of us face our own challenges and some of us are in the midst of some tough battles.  But none can argue that we as a group aren't blessed with abundance.  The fact that we are participating in this RV Rally indicates that we had the freedom of time and resources to allocate to a fun hobby.   I can't think of a better way to show our appreciation to our host city of Fredericksburg than to take part in an act of service.  We have the opportunity to give back to this community in a way that will be anonymously appreciated by people in the community with the greatest need.  In the rally hall you will find donation boxes benefitting the Fredericksburg Food Pantry.  Please consider donating non-perishable food items, and let's fill these boxes.  We will also be making a cash donation.  Often times, non-profit organizations, such as the food pantry, are able to extend your dollar further than you can at the local grocery store.

Thanks to the generous support of our rally sponsors, the Directors have determined that we, as an organization, will provide the initial cash donation.  We would love to see that contribution raised over the course of the rally so that we can leave a positive mark on this community as we depart.  Please consider how you will participate in this worthwhile project.

Sunset Grill

Not far from the campground there is a fantastic breakfast and lunch only restaurant that is definitely worth your patronage.  It's called Sunset Grill.  They consider themselves to be a "New American Bistro".  Whatever you want to call it, I call it good eats.  I've been fortunate to eat here a few times, now.  Everything that I have had so far has been exceptional.  I suppose "New American" means that they are taking classic brunch fare and putting a new twist on it.  So, your basic Eggs Benedict is now offered with pan fried crab cakes, instead of Canadian bacon.  Or, maybe with smoked salmon and capers.  The French toast has also been given a new look, combining the classic breakfast item with bananas Foster to create a Caramelized Banana French Toast.  My personal favorite is the Pablo Scramble.  This is three eggs served with pulled pork, shredded cheeses and green chiles.  It is served with black beans and tortilla chips.  I've put a link down below for their website, so be sure to take a look at their menu.

Honestly, I don't know of a better place to go in Fredericksburg to fill your tank for a busy day of walking Main Street, touring wineries or museums.  The people who work there are very friendly and the food is top notch.  So grab a new friend or two, find a morning where we aren't serving breakfast at the campground and go give these guys a try.  You won't regret it one bit.

Sunset Grill Website

902 S. Adams St. 

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

(830) 997-5904

See location on map

Fredericksburg Herb Farm

A couple of months ago, Brenda and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.  What a great opportunity to steal away a couple of nights, leave the girls with their grandparents and enjoy a kid-free weekend.  We headed down to Fredericksburg to enjoy the area and scope out a few ideas for the rally.

For this occasion, we decided against taking our camper and opted instead for a Sunday Haus cottage.  For those of you who aren't familiar with these cottages, they are a throwback to the days of yore, when area farmers would come into town for the weekend.  On their weekend jaunts, they would purchase supplies, tend to local business, and attend church.  Those that lived more than a couple of miles out of town would often purchase a small cottage in town, where they would spend the weekend before they journeyed back to their farms.  Today, it's a bit swankier.  It's a cross between a bed and breakfast and an inn.  We spent our weekend at Fredericksburg Herb Farm.  This is a neat local business that has grown into a multi-facet business.  It's a spa, a restaurant, an herb farm, a store that sells locally made bath and beauty products, and of course, Sunday Haus cottages.

Now, I realize that we are going to have our campers, and you are probably wondering why in the world I would use this time and place to promote vacation cottages.  But it's the other facets of the business that I think are worth your patronage.  The cottages were stocked with the Herb Farm's own lotions and potions, all of which were really nice.  The restaurant is considered one of the top dining spots in town for dinner or a weekend brunch.  For those of you that were at the rally last year, this is the restaurant that the ladies stopped for lunch on the quilting shop hop.

If you are in town for a few extra days, I can wholeheartedly recommend them for brunch.  Maybe you are looking for a fancy dinner spot to enjoy a date night, this is a great choice.  And if you are looking for an idea for your Gift Exchange items, check out their shop.  We didn't make it over to the spa, but I suspect it's a fine place to pass an afternoon if you are a little tense from your journey.

So, check 'em out, y'all!  Fredericksburg Herb Farm

Ready to Roll!

One of the best things about RV Rallies is the chance to discover new places and new friends.  I am thrilled that we are able to have so many people attend from literally, all over the country.  Some of you are already on the road making the trek for Fredericksburg, Texas!  I am extremely proud of the Directors, and of all their hard work.  Believe me when I say that this rally would not have happened without their devotion.  It takes a lot of hours of work to put this type of event on, and some of the Directors are filling roles that stretched them outside of their normal comfort zone.  Please make sure you take the opportunity to tell them what a great job they did, because I think they are tired of hearing it from me!

We've got some great surprises in store for you this year!  We are going to eat well.  We are going to see some fun sites.  We are going to remember some real life heroes.  We are going to give back to the community.  And, just maybe, we are going to learn a thing or two along the way.  We will learn about our Open Range campers, we will learn about the Texas Hill Country, and we will probably learn plenty about our fellow travelers!  Oh, and we are going to look pretty darn fine doing it, too!

I hope you are full of high expectations for this rally.  I hope you are coming to Fredericksburg expecting to enjoy every single minute of your time in the Texas Hill Country.  As for me, I am most most excited about the Gift Exchange on Saturday night, and the tour at Garrison Brothers Bourbon!  We sure are looking forward to having you here as our guests.  Over the next 2 weeks, I will try to share a few thoughts on the area, highlight a few places you may not have on your agenda and offer some local insight.  I'd be happy to share your stories, as well.  Send me your stories and pictures as you make your way, and you might see them shared here in this space as we all enjoy the trip to Fredericksburg.