Countdown to Texas Thunder 2011

The Blogmeister’s Farewell Episode Stardate 4.28.2011

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.



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.

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!!!”

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!!!”

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.

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.

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

Introduction

Hello fellow T-bird nesters, we would like to welcome you to our blog. The Texas Chapter of thunderbirdnest.com is proud to announce that we are hosting our very first major event. Attendees are coming from all over the nation to attend Texas Thunder 2011!!!

The YO Ranch Resort Hotel Lobby (Hosting our venue)

We are the planning committee for Texas Thunder 2011. The purpose of this blog is to give our fellow members of thunderbirdnest.com, up-to-date information pertaining to the extremely fun T-Bird event the Texas T-birders are planning for our visitors from all over the nation, Canada, and Fritzerland ;-). The planning committee met this weekend (August 20-22) to plan the event. Our challenge has been narrowing down activities for a four-day event (so much to do and so little time).

Texas is one of the most beautiful states in the nation, with so much to offer a first time visitor. The Texas Hill country is rich in culture and history. This region of Texas offers a plethora of interesting activities and places to explore that will enrich our event.

The location of Texas Thunder 2011 is in Kerrville, Texas. Kerrville and the surrounding area is a popular destination for car clubs and motorcycle enthusiasts. With the Guadalupe River and the surrounding hill country, driving excursions are being planned to enjoy the beautiful vistas.

Our theme of course is Texas. You will have the opportunity to become a Texan for your stay. Your initiation will be complete when you experience an outdoor barbeque (with a possible hayride) at one of our nearby dude ranches/country clubs (we are still in the planning process for this one).

Luckenbach, Texas is just around the corner. A visitor to this area will be interested to know that Luckenbach, Texas, a dancehall that was made popular when Jerry Jeff Walker recorded a live album at the dancehall. A few years later, Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons wrote a song sung by Waylon Jennings that immortalized Luckenbach. Luckenbach is now a popular tourist stop and will possibly be a stop for one of our driving excursions.

Enjoying Fredericksburg!

Fredericksburg is only 22 miles from Kerrville and is known for its history, beauty, shopping, and food. We are planning a road trip with a stop in Fredericksburg for those interested.

No trip to this region of Texas would be complete without a trip to San Antonio. Our committee has planned an adventure for individuals interested in the history of the San Antonio area, the wonderful shopping that San Antonio has to offer, as well as Tex-Mex food that you can only find in this part of the country. A visit to the Alamo along with an excursion to the Riverwalk for dining is a must.

We have more to come in the near future regarding this event. Please check back often to both thunderbirdnest.com and this blog, as our committee will be posting frequently with the valuable information for the attendees to Texas Thunder 2011!!

How to Mount Steer Horns

Warning!!!! This week’s edition of Texas Thunder 2011 may be offensive to some people; however, no actual Thunderbirds were harmed in the making of this blog.

The event we have all been waiting for is just one month away. To get ready, I am devoting this week’s edition to preparations that you readers can make to get your Thunderbird “Texas” ready. One reader from the Netherlands has already embraced the Texas State of Mind by making preparations that would make any Texan proud.

Yes readers, this blogmeister is talking about mounting steer horns on the hood of your Thunderbird. Because of the sensitive nature of this week’s edition, many dear readers may choose to stop reading at this point and that is okay. The next edition will be about all things San Antonio so be sure to tune in for the next edition of Texas Thunder 2011.

These Steer Horns are one of the actual door-prizes for Texas Thunder 2011

Those of you still reading will need the following: a Thunderbird, one set of Longhorn steer horns, L brackets, bailing wire or barbed wire, wire cutters, gloves, and a level. The Longhorn steer horns can usually be found on the internet. Many sites are devoted to the selling of such items with overnight delivery services. The bailing wire and/or barbed wire can be purchased at your local tractor supply or feed store. If you are a Northerner or coming from another country and do not have the luxury of a local tractor supply or feed store, those items too can be purchased online or request any Midwestern or Southerner to make the purchase and ship it so you can take the next step.

A necessary item

The next step is to determine where the horns should be mounted. Much debate will probably occur (this blogmeister is remembering how much time was devoted to how to mount a license plate to the front of the T-bird without putting holes in the bumper) and feel free to debate with your fellow thunder

birdnesters as to the best method. This Texan chose to mount the steer horns above the Thunderbird emblem but below the hood to facilitate easy access to the engine compartment.

L brackets were attached where the hood meets the front fascia with bailing wire. Hooks mounted on the back of the steer horns were then threaded through the L brackets, securing the steer horns to the front of the vehicle with no damage to the grill or front fascia. If you had the luxury of purchasing your Thunderbird from a Texas dealership, then it’s okay to use barbed wire instead of bailing wire as the Texas Thunderbird is from hardier stock and less prone to injury.


Absolutely do not use these tools!!!!



A choice can be made at this point to purchase Longhorn steer hide seat covers (or just ask a Texan if you can borrow theirs) and cover your seats as well. These steps should allow you to embrace the Texas State of Mind.

What being "Bronzed" really means!!!