November's "Share the Harvest" Get Together

Since 2010 we've established a tradition at Hidden Valley to get together on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and share our favorite foods and some great company.  All past and current guests are welcome and as with all our events, we really enjoy getting to know each other a little more closely.  Some of our guests try to arrange their stay here to fall on this weekend.  A warm thank you to all our guests this year...here's a brief video to commemorate the event.  If you were there feel free to download it if you'd like.  Don't forget to watch the newsletter and new posts here for coming events so you can plan your visit during them. 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Bluegrass in the Valley

 Sunday, March 17, 2013

Come hear the folksy, bluegrass tunes of Colorado's Costello Family and the Amber Waves Band at the RV Clubhouse and Patio. Bring your own beverages and snacks if you desire. Amber Waves will play from 7 to 8 PM. Arrive anytime after 5pm for "happy hour" snacks. 
Want to hear a preview of the Amber Waves Band sound?  Check out their Mp3 on their website.
Call the office (210-623-6737) email or connect with us on Facebook for additional details or to RSVP

 View and join our event on Facebook

 

  5706 Coleman Way, Von Ormy, Texas

 

A "Rodeo State of Mind"

Note: Scroll down to the final paragraph for a personal invite to our COWBOY BREAKFAST.

The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is gearing up for the 2013 Show.  The entertainment line up is already released, the activity and individual event calendar is out and they've gone all out with an Ultimate Rodeo Package.

This contest is easy to enter (just click the photo to the right) and includes:

• Two tickets to the Rodeo Finals with Darius Rucker on Saturday, February 23, 2013.
• One night stay at the Hyatt Hotel on the RiverWalk. 
• VIP parking pass at the rodeo grounds
• Breakfast for two at the hotel on Sunday, February 24th.  

WOW!  All that calf ropin', hog wrestlin', cowpokes and gals not to mention the concert in the evening...I'm already in a "rodeo state of mind."

So click on over to the link on the photo or put this link in your browser address bar and keep your fingers, toes and spurs crossed to win the Ultimate Rodeo Package.  http://smarturl.it/SA_Ultimate 
If you're like me and you don't want to leave anything to chance, head on over to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo website and get more details and ticket info for the "Best Rodeo in the World."  The rodeo runs from February 7 through 24th. 

You may also know of San Antonio's unofficial  kickoff for the rodeo each year, the Cowboy Breakfast.  It's on the last Friday of every January (2013, on January 25th) and boasts a crowd of thousands for the free cowboy style breakfast.  It begins at 4 AM.  !!!!!!!!!???????????  What?  4 AM?  I know that's too early for me too but here's the good part:  if you stay with us at Hidden Valley RV Park on that day (either Thursday night or some group of days that would include Friday morning the 25th,) we have, right here at the RV Park our own version of the cowboy breakfast (video)- free, fun and full of southern cowboy vitals.  The best part is there's no crowds and it's at 9am, a more civilized hour.  So plan your stay with us early since our sites go fast during the rodeo - and Adios, till then, pardner.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

FISH FRY and a FLICK, You Pick the Flick

FISH FRY AND A FLICK

Join Us at the HIDDEN VALLEY Clubhouse & Patio		Tell us your favorite movie or movie type
We’re going Pesca-tarian this Labor Day Weekend! And to help us forget the heat: the COOL purple theme.   Save the date to join us at the Clubhouse for a Fish Fry.  Hidden Valley will supply the fish and we ask that you each bring a side dish or dessert.  Some suggestions: Potato or macaroni salad Cole Slaw Chips and dip Pie Cookies Brownies Favorite Casserole, etc. Tickets are FREE but REQUIRED to attend and should be picked up or reserved at the office no later than Thursday PM.  We’ll be fishing all day Friday and need to know how much fish to catch.  (Hehe...Fish Story) If you’ve had any big catches in the Creek lately and want to share the wealth, just let us know and we’ll fry it up. After we eat we’ll set up a movie in the clubhouse.  Be happy to entertain your suggestions from our DVD selection or yours if you have a favorite.  Should it be a John Wayne?  Do we have Star Trek Fans at the Valley?  A love story more your style?  A comedy? Action Flick?  Let us know on Facebook, by email, phone or when you pick up your family’s tickets.   Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Can You Say "Picante?"

Whether your from Mexico, San Antonio or New York City, you've probably heard the word 'picante.'  And unless you live under a rock you know that it refers to a spicy and often HOT sauce.  It comes from the Spanish root word, "pica" which refers to a lance used in bullfighting, a sharp, biting sword. 
Our Chili Smackdown in July was full of picante chili's, some VERY sharp and biting (pica) to the tongue, lips and throat.  Enough of the Spanish lesson...

Our cook-off had eight delicious entries and the judging was by peoples choice. In other words, we ALL got to taste and judge the savory meat stews and give our stamps of yea or nay.  Based on five criteria, aroma, appearance, consistency, flavor and after bite, we all carefully tasted and judged the chili entries and marked our worksheets with comments, some funny, some hints for the next time the recipe was tried.  To the surprise of some - the youngest chili creator in attendance pulled off the best average score with her Weight Watchers Chili.  I have to admit it was mighty good but it was a hard choice to make.

After prizes were given - for Best Overall, Most unique ingredient (shark,) Hottest and most unusual, we all dug in and shared a chili feast with all the fixin's accompanied by sandwiches, salads, tamales and even some Chocolate Chili Cake Balls.  We talked for hours and shared a few beers (what's chili without a beer?) while the kids played some horseshoes and threw a few baseballs.

Well, that's all I have to say about that except to share our Hidden Valley video which is a joint effort of contributions from Rhonda, Lisa and yours truly.

Ready or not here it is...

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

June's Special Event

Hidden Valley's June Event

Great Outdoors Month BBQ Potluck June 17, 2012     5-8PM

JOIN US AT THE Hidden Valley Clubhouse & Patio Click Here to let us know your coming We'll be providing the BBQ and you may bring a side dish or dessert.  Sweet Iced tea will be served or you may bring other beverages of your choice.  Some ideas:  potato salad, chips/dip, pasta salad, cupcakes, cookies, devilled eggs, bean salad, sliced tomatoes, tossed salad, vegie tray, fruit tray, fruit salad, etc.

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BBQ Picnic Under the Trees

A group of 50 plus South Parkians met at the Hidden Valley's Medio Creek last month for a BBQ Picnic under the trees.
The picnickers arrived a little slowly (as always) while us early birds sat in circles and gabbed or gathered at the creek side to drop in a fishing line or two. Shouts of delight rang out from time to time as one of the fishers snagged a sunfish.
As some of the more energetic ones started to arrive a volleyball game erupted and all the players worked up a mighty appetite. Before dinner, a cool down was scheduled for the overheated. Water balloons were flung at young and...they were warned NOT to fling them at us older ones. Because it was so hot - the recipient of the bucket of ice water upon his head - was a good sport and we all got a kick out of watching the prank.
Here's a video for all that shared the event to keep the memory till we get together next time:

All the covered dishes made for a scrumptious looking spread and we all finished our meal with enough sweets to keep us full till next morning.
During the whole event the golf cart trolley whisked back and forth to the Clubhouse to allow us to cool off in the A/C and take little breaks.
We missed a few of our friends that couldn't make the get together and hope this little post makes you feel like you were with us.  
We look forward to our next South Park get together!

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Watch the Pounds Hit Our Bodies

We started to feel the calories hit us before the luscious sweets ever touched our lips.  Our "Just Desserts" event last month had our mouths watering and our bellies and hearts full after a satisfying taste of all those treats.

      
This annual event is expressly to say "thanks" to our guests and we wish you could all fit here at one time so we could include every one of you.  Each month's event is always a combination of helpful efforts from our staff (thanks, Mark,) and our regulars here at the Valley (love ya Jackie, Ro and Dave.)

This month we will be celebrating National Great Outdoor Month with a BBQ potluck on Sunday, June 17.  We'll supply the BBQ and you can bring a side dish, if possible.  More details to come in our newsletter and facebook or right here on the blog. 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Hidden Valley Celebrates "The Strawberry"

April's event finished out the month with good friends and memories at our annual Strawberry Pancake Flip Brunch.  We were having so much fun and I was flippin' so many flapjacks that we almost forgot to take pictures but here's a few that we compiled in our monthly event video...just a shorty but it'll make your mouth water.
           

Hidden Valley's Strawberry Flip Brunch

Thanks to the Devillier's, the Smith's, the Howards, the Hempels, Super Dave, Roro, Ryan, Rev. Richard, and my sweetie, Mark for their presence and all their help in making it a fun time and memorable brunch.

Our new clubhouse and patio were very comfortable and we look forward to using them for many more gatherings.

During your visits to our San Antonio RV Park, if you have need for a group gathering place, make sure you let us know when you reserve so we can arrange to have the Clubhouse available for your use. 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Hidden Valley's Spring Fling

Spring has definitely sprung in San Antonio and Hidden Valley RV Park.  We've been mowing several days a week and still can't keep up, wildflowers are exploding in every field and our annual Spring Fling BBQ Potluck produced a bounty of delicious dishes to go along with out BBQ'd  briskets and pig.  Our recipe blog, the RV Gourmet, has been busy cataloging all the potluck recipe contributions.  Stop over and help yourself to a recipe.  But before you do check out our latest video on our You Tube Channel to see the picture review of our latest San Antonio RV Park event, our Spring Fling. 



Just a note if you missed last months event, April holds our Strawberry Pancake Flip Breakfast on Sunday, April 29.  Make your reservations early for your visit and take in Texas's famous Poteet Strawberry Festival April 13 through 15 then join us on April 29 for breakfast featuring pancakes smothered in strawberries and cream.  Visit our facebook page for details or give us a call.  RV sites are still available for several dates in April.
HAPPY SPRING no matter where you are.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Walk Through San Antonio of the 1850's

King William District, South town, San Antonio, TX

There are numerous interesting places to visit while in San Antonio, including the Alamo, the River Walk and the San Antonio Missions to name just a few. Last week we got together several from the RV park and toured another "must see" area of this beautiful city, the King William Historic District in the  South Town area of San Antonio.

Our Tour Guide
After meeting Gary, our tour guide from San Antonio Walks (888-368-6874), across from The Guenther House, we began the tour. Gary is highly versed in the different styles of architectural styles in the area, which includes Greek Revival, Victorian, Colonial and Italianate. He also has a wealth of knowledge about the history of San Antonio and during the tour, he told us several stories that enhanced out tour experience.  I was particularly impressed at how the home builders used a combination of the various architectural styles in each home. Another interesting  find was the personality that some individual home owners exhibited in their home styles.  There was even a home that looked like it came right out of South Beach, tropical trees and landscaping included.


Neighborhood History

This neighborhood of stately houses shaded by enormous trees is located just south of downtown along the San Antonio River. Many German immigrants began to settle in this area by the 1840s and it became known as "Sauerkraut Bend" to the rest of San Antonio. In 1967 the King William District was designated the first Historic Neighborhood District in Texas.

The District developed into an idyllic neighborhood of large, impressive houses shaded by enormous pecan and cypress trees. The main entry street into the area was given the name King Wilhelm in honor of King Wilhelm I, King of Prussia in the 1870s. During World War I, when America was at war with Germany, the name was changed to Pershing Avenue. A few years after the war was over the original name was restored, but this time it was given the English version of the name, King William, as it has remained since. 

Some Prominent King William Street Residents

The homes in the King William District were built by some of San Antonio's most prominent citizens. Karl Harnisch, who was in the confectionery business, brought the first soda fountain to San Antonio. The Edward Steves homestead is an elegant three-story mansion that was built in 1876.  Mr Steves was the founder of the Steves Lumber Company. The family still owns the oldest cabinet making company in the country. John J. Stevens, who brought the first Hereford cattle to Texas also built his home here.  The originator of the once famous Joske's Department Store of San Antonio was also a well known resident.  Today the home of Mr Charles Butt of the HEB family can be found in this elegant neighborhood.

 Another impressive feature of these homes is that many of them had the beautiful San Antonio River in their back yards.  As we walked along this seldom viewed River real estate, the views were some of the most extraordinary scenes.

Courtesy of the Guenther House website

We finished up our morning tour with lunch at the Guenther House,  the one time home of the historic Pioneer Flour Mill family.  They also had an interesting Museum and the River Mill Store and you could tour the home as well.






On your next visit to our San Antonio RV Park let us know you'd like to take this or any number of other walking tours available and we'll make a date to share the experience with other interested guests at the Park.  Check out our full photo album of our King William walking tour with Gary at  San Antonio Walks.

Photo Album

King William Historic District

Sources:

1. San Antonio Conservation Society, http://www.saconservation.org/
2. Visit San Antonio
3. The Virtual Tourist

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Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Fun in 'Leap Month' at Hidden Valley

Our February Mardi Gras Happy Hour at Hidden Valley RV Park was the first event at the new Park Clubhouse.  The Clubhouse is still a work in progress but the inside is completed with only a few details left to finish.  The outside still needs some finishing touches and we're working on those as I type.  Our clubhouse features a place to gather by appointment and for monthly events, a media room and borrowing library with books, videos and DVDs and a fully stocked kitchen for RVer's use.  We have a TV, computer desks and a WiFi hotspot for browsing and emailing.  There's a full size bathroom with shower open 24/7 and an extra washer and dryer will be installed there shortly in addition to our current laundry center. 

Our second annual Mardi Gras Happy Hour was attended by most all of our current guests and they were very inventive with their culinary contributions.  Ms Jackie wowed us with her chocolate, chili cake balls, a treat not be missed.  We had Rhonda's queso dip, The Martinez' fruit tray, homemade salsa and tortilla chips a' la Pat and Jack, cheese and meat trays, pretty yellow rose sweets, Joyce's taco treats, Elaine and Bill's Pizza and Robbie's finger sandwiches...to name a few.  Makes you thirsty, right.  No problem, the Mardi Ritas were flowing along with country tunes and some oldies too.  Don't miss our new video to see all the fun and activities.
If you missed it this year, keep the month in mind for reservations next February or join us in the coming months for our other monthly gatherings.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Hidden Valley's Weekend Picks

Watch some fancy horse maneuvers at the Rodeo, pretend your in nu'awlins and share Hidden Valley's Mardi Gras Happy Hour and catch a movie at San Antonio's Alamo Drafthouse Theater.

Friday: February 17th, 2012

Event	Time	Location
SA Stock Show & Rodeo	Various Times	Freeman Coliseum
Cinderella	9:45 am, 11:45 am & 6:30 pm	Empire Theatre
If You Take A Mouse To School	9:45 am, 11:30 am & 7 pm	Magik Theatre
Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune	10 am - 4 pm	McNay Art Museum
Cave Without a Name Tour	10 am - 5 pm	Boerne, Tx
Cheer Power Nationals	4:30 pm	Alamodome
Lady Antebellum	7:30 pm	AT&T Center
Little Women	7:30 pm	Wimberley, Tx
Comedian Felicia Michaels	8 pm & 10:15 pm	LOL Comedy Club
Carolyn Wonderland & Guy Forsyth	8 pm	Gruene, Tx
Doug Moreland Wood Stove Show	8 pm	Luckenbach, Tx
Adam Carroll/Michael O’Connor	10:30 pm	San Marcos, Tx
Bob Schneider	10:30 pm	Helotes, Tx

Saturday: February 18th, 2012

Event	Time	Location
SA Stock Show & Rodeo	Various Times	Freeman Coliseum
Cheer Power Nationals	8 am	Alamodome
Pearl Farmers Market	9 am - 1 pm	Pearl Farmers Market
Farm to Market	9 am - 12 pm	New Braunfels, Tx
Jacob’s Well Natural Area Tour	10 - 11:30 am	Wimberley, Tx
Lehnis Railroad Museum	10 am - 4 pm	Brownwood, Tx
Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune	10 am - 5 pm	McNay Art Museum
Cave Without a Name Tour	10 am - 5 pm	Boerne, Tx
Traders Village	10 am - 5 pm	9333 SW Loop 410
Jake Owen	1 pm	AT&T Center
Sol Patch	1-5 pm	Gruene, Tx
If You Take A Mouse To School	2 pm	Magik Theatre
Mark Chesnut	7 pm	Cowboys Dance Hall
Daughtry	7:30 pm	AT&T Center
ComedySportz	7:30 pm	12002 Bandera Rd
Little Women	7:30 pm	Wimberley, Tx
Comedian Felicia Michaels	8 pm & 10:15 pm	LOL Comedy Club
Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights	9 pm	Gruene, Tx
Rick Trevino/Weldon Henson	9 pm	Gruene Hall
Two Tons of Steel	9:30 pm	Helotes, Tx
Clay McClinton	10:45 pm	San Marcos, Tx

Sunday: February 19th, 2012

Event	Time	Location
SA Stock Show & Rodeo	Various Times	Freeman Coliseum
Cheer Power Nationals	8:15 am	Alamodome
Quarry Farmers Market	9 am - 1 pm	Quarry Market Parking Lot
Cave Without a Name Tour	10 am - 5 pm	Boerne, Tx
Traders Village	10 am - 5 pm	9333 SW Loop 410
Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune	Noon - 5 pm	McNay Art Museum
The Ruby Jane Show	12 - 3:30 pm	Gruene, Tx
Joe Nichols	1 pm	AT&T Center
Thomas Michael Riley	1 pm	Luckenbach, Tx
Little Women	2 pm	Wimberley, Tx
Mike Zito	4 - 8 pm	Gruene, Tx
Cowboy Doug Davis	5 pm	Luckenbach, Tx
Cheer Power Nationals	4:30 pm	Alamodome
Family Night Dance	6 - 10 pm	Helotes, Tx
El Trono de Mexico	7:30 pm	AT&T Center
Comedian Felicia Michaels	8 pm	LOL Comedy Club

210-623-6737

Do Ya Wanna be a Cowboy (girl)?

Cowboy Breakfast

Just a reminder for all our guests at the Valley this week about the Annual Hidden Valley Cowboy Breakfast details:

• WHEN:  Friday, January 27, 2012 8am to 10am
• WHERE:  Hidden Valley Registration house
• WHAT:  It's a FREE breakfast, cowboy style with a heapin' helpin' of western vitals to fill up the hungriest cowpoke or cowpokess. It's a 34 year San Antonio tradition where upwards of 55,000 starvin' folks descend upon the Cowboy Dancehall Parking lot, rain, shine or freeze, for an authentic, outdoor trail-ride style breakfast at 4AM, with a screaming cattle call and several western bands at high volume (ouch!)  Our version is for a more laid back crowd, still hungry but with a hankerin' for a couple more hours sleep and music at lower decibels.
• WHY:  The unofficial kick off of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, February 9-26, 2012.  If you've never seen a rodeo, even if you have, San Antonio's version is worth the experience.  At the office I have the entertainment and event schedule.  You can check it out on line too at the Rodeo website

210-623-6737  Call, email or facebook your rsvp

Menu: 

• Biscuits with Sausage Gravy
• Bacon, Potato & Egg Tacos
• Fruit (for health conscious cowpokes)
• Pastries
• Coffee, Hot chocolate & Juice

Country Music will accompany our grub, of course.

If you've got 'em, wear your western duds, hats and boots.  Prizes for the Best western dressed!