In a very short time, Texas Thunder 2011 will commence. Caravans of T-Birders will flock, as colorful migrating birds, to the beautiful Hill Country for the first Texas hosted Thunderbirdnest event. By now, boots should be shined (cowboy boots), two straws should be shaped and ready (see previous postings regarding the straws), and a belt for your britches, remember the buckle must be earned so hopefully our fellow thunderbirdnesters will have ridden the bull or bronco by now to get their buckle if not please do not purchase one!!! A basic buckle will have to do otherwise as any good Texan will know if the buckle was earned or bought. As for the rest of the clothing items needed, anything will work with the items mentioned as a good straw will cover a multitude of sins (including the offensive green Speedo).
In preparation, by now you’ve had a small taste, a hint if you will, of what being a Texan is all about. We’ve journeyed into the past, back into the days of the conquistador, then forward a little to the Texas Fight for Independence with heroes such as William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston, and then on we went into the lives of the lonely cowboy with the dangers of the cattle drive along the dusty trail. As you drive across the border into this great state, hopefully, you, dear readers, will remember those who came before to make Texas the state it is today.
Now it’s time for us to look ahead, travel in your mind as this blogmeister takes you through a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, Texas Thunder 2011. The planning committee has plotted and planned for the ultimate event. If you’ve been reading the threads regarding the event on thunderbirdnest.com, the agenda has been laid out for all to see. As an insider, this blogmeister is going take you on an imaginary journey. Sit back, relax, plop your favorite beverage into your thunderbirdnest koozie, pull back on the tab and take a sip, then read the rest of the blog.
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| The Parking Lot at the Y.O. |
Take a breath, then picture the scene…y'all 've traveled far and wide for this event, caravanning with fellow T-birders, to arrive at the Y.O. Ranch Resort and Conference Center. (This is a by the way…the driveway is hard to see, it dips down about ten feet, but this blogmeister has been there so don’t be scared, ya’ll will be fine). Ya’ll might be a little tired but put your bags in your room (leave the Speedo) and go to the Check-in Table where you will be greeted by a real, authentic, Texan.
Some of your fellow Thunderbirdnesters will be talking about apples…apple butter, apple pie, apple fritters, apples…apples…apples…yes…apples. Ya’ll probably get a hankerin for Apple Pie A La Mode, well here’s your opportunity! A self-drive tour to the Apple Store in Medina, TX will take care of any apple cravings. 
Late in the evening, you will be a little tired however; the laughter and voices of friends coming from the Cypress Room will call to you like the call of the mystical sirens from Homer’s Odyssey. Follow those sounds and you will arrive at the Texas Thunder 2011 Meet and Greet. Ya’ll will go to bed tired… with a mind active in anticipation of Thursday’s activities including a tour of the James Avery Jewelry headquarters where fine craftsmen will be creating lovely pieces of fine Jewelry.
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| Sonic Invasion |
You make plans for The Ultimate Sonic Invasion with your fellow thunderbirdnesters and then asked politely yet firmly, “Please don’t wake me up when you walk by my room to clean your bird at the crack of dawn!!!”
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| Y.O. Pool and Swim-Up Bar |
Thursday morning you awaken to the smell of coffee and pastries wafting from the hospitality suite. The morning caravan will leave for James Avery and Fredericksburg at about 8:15 giving lots of time to grab the Texas Hill Country’s version of the Kolachie and cup of coffee. After a day of driving and shopping, the refreshing water of the Y.O. pool with swim up bar will take the dust off (you can grab the green Speedo here). Hunger will drive you from the pool to ready yourself for the Texas Thunder Welcoming Banquet in The Live Oak Room.
Again, you make plans for The Ultimate Sonic Invasion with your fellow thunderbirdnesters and then as you leave your friends to walk back to your room, you ask politely yet firmly, “Please don’t wake me up when you walk by my room to clean your bird at the crack of dawn!!!”
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| River Walk |
Friday morning, you debate with yourself and/or your spouse…do you take the trip to San Antonio with the history of the Alamo and the restaurants along the River walk (that was built in the 1930’s by Roosevelt’s WPA) with lush landscapes, quaint pathways, tinkling waterfalls, quiet pools, outdoor art and relaxing outdoor patios that evoke the renowned public spaces of Europe? Or, do you take the trip through the Texas Hill Country to the beautiful Leakey, TX (which has been slowly shaping itself since the start of time) where you will sit back and enjoy great food and conversation with fellow thunderbirders? After you decide and are happy with the decision because it’s the perfect one for you, you depart for your excellent adventure.
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| Drive to Leakey, TX |
During the outing, you check your watch a few times to ensure a prompt return to the Y.O. to change for that night’s dinner and check your ticket to see if the reservations are for Mamacita’s in Kerrville or Mamacita’s in Fredericksburg. A rollicking good time at the Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg closes out your evening but before you do you and your friends.....
... make plans for The Ultimate Sonic Invasion with the realization that the Invasion will overwhelm Sonic’s limited parking. However, after debating y'all decide the Home Depot parking lot next door can probably accommodate the overflow. Later, as you leave your fellow thunderbirdnesters you ask politely yet firmly, “Please don’t wake me up when you walk by my room to clean your bird at the crack of dawn!!!”
Tired but happy, you decide to turn in to bed to rest for Saturday’s events. On your way back to the room, you notice old cowboys sauntering around the courtyard…wait a minute….you know about those guys from reading the blog! You run and grab your camera to capture Y.O.’s ghostly cowboys! As you go to sleep, you have a smile on your face, for you have the knowledge that you have won the prize for the best ghostly cowboy picture!!!
Saturday comes with lot’s of fun, from a morning tour to LBJ Ranch, Wildseed Farms, and Luckenbach, TX (remember Willie, Waylon, and the boys?) to an evening Chuck Wagon Dinner and Ho Down. You laugh as you watch the antics of fellow thunderbirders take Country Dance Lessons; you chuckle as you try it yourself.
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| Where Willie, Waylon, and the Boys Played! |
You make plans for the last Texas Thunder 2011 Ultimate Sonic Invasion with your fellow thunderbirdnesters and enjoy some more dancing in the Sonic parking lot to the Texas C.D. playing in one of the T-Birds. As you and your friends part ways for the evening you ask politely yet firmly, “Please don’t wake me up when you walk by my room to clean your bird at the crack of dawn!!!”
Later that night as you lay down (a little itchy from the straw that poked you during the hayride and a little full from eating a Sonic banana split), you remember back on the last few days and think that Texas Thunder 2011 was the best T-Bird event EVER!!!
Sunday morning comes too soon. Goodbyes are said and y’all promise to keep in touch on thunderbirdnest.com. As you roll past the sign saying “You’re Now Leaving the Great State of Texas”, you turn your car around because there’s no way y’all ever leave this state because now you have the Texas State of Mind!!
This blogmeister is signing off...it's been a real pleasure and look forward to seeing y'all at Texas Thunder 2011
