San Antonio - Nov/Dec 2007

We once again returned to San Antonio to spend the holidays with family and friends. It's also our time to get all our medical and dental appointments taken care of, vet appointments for the dogs and any RV remodeling done (more on that in another blog entry.) We usually stay for two months at Blazing Star RV Park and between the holidays and visiting and appointments, we're on the run most of the time we are in town. Blazing Star is a pretty good park -- we like the sites at the far end of the park because they are a little more private. We also like the close proximity to family, friends, shopping and restaurants. However, we pay a price for convenience -- the road noise from Hwy 1604 has gotten very loud over the past few years and the park's rent is the most expensive in town.

This year, my folks George & Gracie (and their two dogs -- Yoshi & Zoey) were able to come for a visit from California. They drove in their RV and they stayed right next to us at Blazing Star for several weeks including Christmas and New Year's. As always, we thoroughly enjoy their easy-going company and all four of our dogs enjoy playing together.

George is a good musician in addition to being a great handyman. His instruments are the clarinet and organ, but here he is trying out Frank's guitar -- a lightweight, portable one called Soloette.

Holidays at the Williams' house are fun, crazy, loud affairs. This year there were no less than 50 people at the family Christmas eve dinner -- always a blast with plenty of good food and good conversation.

Most of the family bring their dogs to the gatherings and this year was no different. There were at least 14 dogs joining in the holiday fun. This is Frank's sister Mary Lou with four of her dogs and one of someone elses.

Our nephew Jason played Santa this year and handed out what seemed like a mountain of gifts. He was wearing a non-traditional, burnt-orange, Santa hat from his alma mater -- The University of Texas.


On another evening we enjoyed one of the best spaghetti dinners that we have had in a long, long time. Our buddy Carl (on the far right) prepared a special family recipe and it was ever so yummy. All the diners (George, Gracie, Shelley, Mike and Frank) agreed that Chef Carl can cook for us anytime!

One of our outings included breakfast at the famous Gunther House in downtown San Antonio. Our friends have an annual tradition of celebrating here during the holidays and this year they invited us to join them for an early morning food fest. The biscuits and sausage gravy plate was by far the most popular -- yum!

Thanks to all our family and friends for making the holidays so special!!!