Wednesday was spent getting things ready for Thanksgiving. I fixed the cucumbers and onions and got them to soaking, the green beans were on for a couple of hours with some salt pork and our secret ingredient and Evelyn made a cranberry jello dish that was also very good.
Thursday we went to the clubhouse about 1pm to help get things ready to serve, etc. at 1:30 people were gathering to eat some appetizers that different people had fixed. Some interesting items, one was a shrimp wrapped in bacon and then broiled, quite tasty, if I must say so. I am not really big on shrimp unless it is in a cocktail with sauce. The park furnished the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, rolls and butter. Most everyone furnished a dish of some type from dressing to deserts and all in between. The green beans were a hit as was the cucumbers and onions. In fact, ours was the only green beans there. Everything was delicious, at least what I ate. I did not get to sample a lot of in and unlike last year at Dreamcatcher RV park in Deming, NM, we did not bring it all back on Friday to eat again. They do things different at the Lone Star Corral here in Hondo, TX, but that is alright, everyone has their preferences and that is the way they do it here. Maybe we can try another park next year and see how they do it. In the afternoon, it was rest and try to digest all of the good food that was consumed.
Friday we did not do a lot other than going with Mike to the local Ford dealer to remove a scooter lift from a van that a lady here in the park had traded in on another car. That only took about an hour, a really simple job.
Today we cleaned house and did some research. We picked up Mike and Carlin and went to Church's Chicken for supper and then back home. Nothing special planned for tomorrow. So it goes at the Lone Star Corral in Hondo, TX.

Friday not a lot going on. I played bridge in the evening. Saturday the Fiddlers came. A group of Country & Western entertainers that come each year and play and sing for us. They started at 11am and played until 4:30 with about 45 minutes out for a pitch in luncheon. Some very good instrumentalists and singers, some singers not so good but they did their best. Lots of familiar songs and some that were really funny, like "I got a Possom in my headlights" and others. We all enjoyed it very much.
They finally got the new router installed so the wi-fi is working most of the time, at least it is usable.
Sunday was quiet with the Ice Cream Social at 4pm and them Mexican Train later.
Monday some engraving that needed to be out and back to customer by Wednesday, so sent it overnight, a bit expensive, but it did the job. I played bridge at 6pm and had a few good cards, but not many.
Today, Tuesday we went to the grocery to get things for Thanksgiving dinner and then went back to Hondo in the evening with the Drew's to DQ for Taco salads and some ice cream. Back to the Lone Star Corral for the evening. The weather has been a bit cool at nights but generally warm and sunny during the day. Not too bad for the end of November.

Sunday was literally a day of rest after the big flea market. Not a lot going on other than the ice cream social at 6pm. Monday, I finished up some work after the UPS arrived with some supplies and we took it all to Hondo to the PO. I got a few orders for name tags at the flea market so I got them ready for Happy Hour at 4pm.
Tuesday, not a lot going on. We did go to Hondo for supper at McBees BBQ. They have a special on Tuesdays of two large brisket sandwiches for $5.00, so there are several from the park that go there for BBQ. The Dairy Queen also has a special on Taco Salad and Pizza Hut has a buffet as well. So, for the Escapees, it is eat out on Tuesdays.
Thursday we will pick up the Drews and go to the Hungry Horse Restaurant in Berne, TX for lunch. They really have a nice menu and very good food.
The photos are from a trip down the gulf coast when we were in Rockport, TX. There is a street/road that goes right down the waters edge, some areas they have put in big rocks to keep the road from washing away. The homes are just across the street and have some beautiful views of the Gulf. There are ports of pleasure as well as working boats, fresh fish, shrimp, etc. available all the time along this road. Most of the homes have private fishing piers that go way out in the water. It appears that the water is not very deep until you get quite a ways out.
We drove down to Corpus Christi the first time down and a few days later we drove down and on to Padre Island. The second day the wind was blowing quite hard from the water and the breakers were quite high. More on that in a few days.
Next project here at the Lone Star Corral is Thanksgiving dinner. The park will furnish the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and a few other goodies for $3.00 per person and everyone will bring their favorite dish to share with all. It should be an interesting time with lots to eat for a few days, I imagine.

Today, Saturday was the big day here at the Lone Star Corral, for the annual flea market. We were down at the club house a little before 8am, setting up our table for engraving. we really did not expect to do very much but did get a couple of interested people, from the outside attenders that may mature into something in the future.
A quite large crowd at 8am buying all kinds of items, from table saws to knic knac items inside that were for sale by the members. There were a lot of consignment items available outside on the porch where we were located. Everything from a 3 piece sectional that sold quite early to an electric lawn mower that did not appear to work. The mower was still there at the close of the sale. We were not here last year but they said there were not nearly as many attendees last year. Probably the economy had a lot to do with it. It was really a very interesting group of people. Many come year after year. I do not know how many years it has been going on, but one member said they had been here for 10 years and it was going on at that time.
Of course, I had to sample the food, so I had a breakfast burrito which was served with salsa and jalapeno peppers. I checked out the salsa first and it was quite hot, so I did not see a need to add the peppers as well. For lunch I had an Italian sausage with peppers and onions which was quite good.
It looked like the sale was a success even though a lot of items did not sell, but they will mostly all go back in the shed for next year. It appeared, that a good time was had by all, members and attendees as well.

Thursday was mostly in setting tables and getting ready to put things out for the annual flea market on Saturday. Not a lot of activities planned at the clubhouse due to preparations.
Friday I worked on some engraving to go out the first of the week. I joined the bridge group at 1pm for some interesting bridge games. Back at the clubhouse at 4 for Social hour and final preparations for the flea market. There is surely a lot of stuff for sale. I do not know where it all came from, however they say it is mostly items from the members that they have for sale once each year. They say that people come for miles around to this flea market as it is always the same Saturday and is well advertised.
I will set up a table and sell nametags but will not do them on site as it is against the rules for a non member of the association. I will take orders and then deliver them at a later date.
Our top photo is of the beautiful Court House in Hondo, TX. The other photos were taken on Veterans Day. One depicting a war scene where the house has been shelled and partially burned. The other is of a group of period aircraft from the WWII era and later conflicts.
Later today, we met with the Drew's and went to Hondo to the BBQ restaurant where the special was all you can eat ribs and catfish. Both were quite good, especially the smoked ribs.
Off to bed early for an early morning date at the flea market that opens at 8am, for members a little earlier.

Monday opened with cloudy skies and a few more showers before clearing in the afternoon. Happy hour, munchie Monday, was interesting with some good treats provided by various people. Tuesday morning it was back to San Antonio for a Dr. appointment. We spent most of the day going to the bank, drug store, etc. We wanted to go to Rudy's BBQ but could not fine one close, so we decided to stop at Bill Miller's BBQ. We had seen several on our various routes, but could not spot one on the way home, so we decided we would stop at McBee's BBQ in Hondo. It was nearing 7pm and they close at 6, so we settled for a Taco salad at DQ, on special every Tuesday. We returned home about 8:30 and quickly got things sorted out and off to bed.
Wednesday, Veteran's Day, the sun was up early for the start of a beautiful day. We had a very nice program honoring the Veterans around the world and those that were present at the Lone Star Corral.
There were several displays, one of many model planes from the WWII era and later wars. We had a big cake and the local High School band from D'Hanis, TX was present and gave a very nice musical concert. The program lasted from 9:30 until nearly 12:30. Lots of singing
and telling of stories from the wars. at 11:00am we had a fly over of 3 single engine military planes from the local air field. It was all very impressive and explained to the high school band members the meaning of it all. I think all in all they got a good history lesson from it all and they were encouraged to find something to do for their country, either in the service or other endeavour to benefit mankind and to support our way of life of freedom.

We played Mexican Train this evening and had an enjoyable evening. Tomorrow, it is get ready for a large Flea Market that will be held on Saturday. I understand it is a really big doings and brings in lost of people and money as well.

Court house in Beeville, TX.

Friday the 30th we headed north west toward our next destination, Hondo, TX. South on 35 to 188 and west to US181. Not really a lot to see in this area, however we did see some cattle and some hay being cut and baled. At Skidmore, TX we picked up 4 lane divided into the town of Beeville where we found another picturesque Court house.
There are a lot of counties in Texas so you have a chance to see many court houses in the county seat towns.
Across US59 to the town of George West. A really nice sign at the edge of town, however not all of the towns are looking like they are doing very well. Many of the towns have closed businesses and many of the large car dealerships are closed. This should leave business for many of the smaller mechanical shops and as the cars get older they will require more maintenance to stay on the road. I know, I am driving one of those. The van is 14 years old and with nearly 140k miles it requires a little work to keep it on the go, but it has been doing well, considering it gets towed all over the country.
We took US181 out of George West to Three Rivers and to Choke Canyon Reservoir. Evelyn had conversed with the people at the camp ground about workcamping. This is a huge reservoir with actually two camping areas. One at the east end and one at the west. We passed the entrance on the east and went to the larger one on the west. It is a nice campground with a boat ramp and lots of shelters for tenting and picnicking. We then headed on north to Pleasanton. After spending the night, we headed west to Jordanton
and to 173 which took us north west and into Hondo, TX.
There was talk of gas getting higher, so we stopped at the WalMart and filled the motor home and the van before heading west on US90, the 9 miles to the Lone Star Corral and our home for the month of November. We missed the Halloween social hour at the clubhouse, so did not get to see all of those that dressed up. We did, however make the Sunday social (ice cream) hour. There we got to see a lot of old friends from last year, meet some new ones and also a chance to visit with the Drew's who came in a day of two before we did. They will be here for the winter as workcampers.
The rest of the week was spent getting some things sorted out and settled in. We are in space #1, next to the manager. They said they would put us here so they could keep an eye on us. Not sure what they are looking for, but I really do not expect much to be said one way or the other. We have done a little engraving for the locals and since their wi-fi has been down, we have to drive to Hondo to the library to get our e-mails, etc. Nothing as far as service on the AT&T air card and the signal is a little weak on the cel phones.
However, this morning, I brought up the computer after having plugged in the air card and hooking up the amplifier and it came right up. Only one bar of signal, but the speed is good and we have spent most of the day reading, deleting, and the normal things you do when you have a good connection.
Saturday evening we went out with the Drew's to Pizza Hut and had a couple of very good Pizzas, a vegy supreme and a peperoni, and a nice visit.
This morning it was partly cloudy and about 10am it got dark and started raining. It has rained off an on most of the day with some much needed moisture. They have been cutting and baling hay in this area. Closer to Hondo we saw a field that had just been harvested of cabbage. We did not see any last year in October, so maybe this is the first year in the fields we could see, not really sure.
We will attend the Social hour at 4 and have some more ice cream and visit some more. Not much TV in this area, so we have it hard to keep up with all of the news.