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| Snowbirds Trek South |
I can't remember a busier but more fun summer. The hot months in San Antonio are usually our slower part of the year but we never really slowed down since last winter. Although "snow birds" or "winter Texans" are usually our biggest group of travelers, a whole new demographic of folks seems to be taking up the RV lifestyle and enjoying the outdoors. I especially want to thank our loyal full time RVers who've continued to visit us year after year.
Each month we've had at least one get together, activity, workshop or potluck and each one is well attended and has been a lot of fun. Even with the 100 degree temps, our Bonfire Cove has been frequented along with Rhonda's Nature Trail. Fishing has been a favorite pastime of many of our friends this season too.
Our guest survey, facebook comments and tweets have been coming in steadily and I truly appreciate all of you taking the time to let us know how we're doing. Here's a link to some of the things our guests have posted on our survey page. It seems everyone has a survey for us to fill out these days but if you've stayed or have plans to stay with us at our San Antonio RV Park I invite you to help us improve the camping experience here at Hidden Valley by completing a short survey about your stay. We look at and seriously consider each suggestion and comment so that we can improve.
We've finalized our electrical upgrade so that now all our sites have both a 30 and 50 amp service available and brand new boxes and wires. Watch our blog in the near future for a description of the project and before and after pictures.
That being finished we'll be spending all our project time on completing our club house with restrooms, additional laundry facility, games, library, satellite TV, kitchen and more.
Once again, our sincere thanks to all who've spent time with us this summer and all our returning winter visitors who have already reserved their San Antonio home sites for the coming season.
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| Trail Head |
Many guests at Hidden Valley RV Park over the years have left their mark on our acres. Each of them are a story in their own right. But perhaps none have made more of an impact than Rhonda. Rhonda and Willie have had their fifth wheel parked in a couple different sites here and they now reside on the edge of Bonfire Cove, largely conceived and designed by Rhonda. Once that project was mostly completed, Rhonda set out with only a hoe, bush clippers and garden saw to single-handedly create what we have dubbed Rhonda's Trail. Being in it's early stages, no one will get tired out after a hike on this trail but daily, Rhonda adds several feet at a time by clearing thick brush and carving natural steps into the landscape.
All the paths are lined with natural and native rocks and timbers, patiently sawed from trees in the paths.
Gradually the trails are taking shape and going from an extremely steep grade to trails manageable by the least nimble of hikers (like me.)
Friendly critters are also fond of Rhonda's Trail.
The trees form a cooling canopy over the trail visitors. In the plans are botanical labels for our indigenous (local to Hidden Valley and San Antonio) trees, bushes and plants.
Sun shining through the trees throws a bluish hue on the tree tops.
Now Rhonda's been clearing a path to the back of the horse pasture so you can visit Lily and Dollar on your hike.
No telling how far and which direction Rhonda's rambling will take the trail so visit often to see the work in progress.
The changing of the seasons has already transformed the trail floor to a soft leafy pad.
Pets are welcome to Rhonda's Trail as long as they're picked up after and kept on the trails.
We all look forward to the growing project and the natural beauty it will uncover.
Very warm thanks to Rhonda for all the hard work expended and the labor of love she's put into her Hidden Valley home.
Our guest "thank you" event, the gobbler get together on Saturday was enjoyed by all. Forty of our RV guests spent the afternoon huddled around the bonfire at the Bonfire Cove at Hidden Valley, sharing experiences and telling stories. The day started out at only 30 degrees, a record low for November 27th but the afternoon warmed nicely to around 70. The bonfire was perfect for countering the cool breeze of the afternoon.
We enjoyed some games especially "ballo" shared by Darlene and Larry. We got a kick out of all the different names our guests had for that game. Seems each one had a new variation on the name, some of them pretty interesting and a little, well, I wouldn't put them in print. If you've played the game you may know what I mean.
Finally the smoked and baked gobblers were ready for carving and all the potluck dishes assembled in the dinner tent. One and all filled their plates at least twice and we put a good dent in the all the wonderful side dishes and desserts.
Once we were all full the bonfire was the scene of many conversations.
As the night air got cooler we moved closer and closer to the fire.
It's amazing how a bonfire draws a group together. We sat for hours sharing jokes, discussions, our life stories on the RV road, family histories and the dancing flames of the bonfire.
A special thanks to all you who made the day so memorable.
