#4 3rd Annual Texas Bushwhacker Meet Up

We started the day Friday with breakfast, and sipped a cup of coffee as we walked the grounds, greeting some of the campers that we hadn't had a chance to greet yet. There were no strangers at this camp. We all talked like we had known each other for years, and in way, we had. We shook alot of hands, and hugged alot of necks before returning back to camp for a quick lunch.

 Later that afternoon, we took some time to make a run into town, to check out Fishers Market. This town has a large German community, and the market definitely reflected that! Tons of various meats and sausages, all kinds of cheeses, dressings, and rows and rows of pickled goods. It was hard to only select a few items because we wanted to sample it all! We tossed some brats, hot links and of course, some Munster cheese into the cart and made our way back to camp. We had a potluck scheduled for dinner, so we had to make it back to camp in time to prepare our meal. 

Dinner time came, and everyone met down by the bonfire, and filled these long tables with their meals. We all lined up and loaded up our plates before finding a seat around the fire, and digging in. Now this was a Friday, during Lent, so my family and I refrained from eating meat, which was tough because some of the dishes looked amazing. But we persevered. After dinner, we had a few drinks around the campfire as the sun dropped below the horizon. Our friend Misty had made these really cool insulated koozies with the meet up’s logo on them, and we gave them away like awards. One for the furthest distance traveled, another for the most difficult time getting here. I also gave away a gift card to our shop for the sketchiest tow, that went to our friend Paul, who strapped a smoker to a rack on the rear receiver hitch of his trailer! Many of us were unsure if it was going to make it one piece! Thankfully it did, cause he put it to work later that evening.

Saturday, we woke up to clouds and cooler, gloomy weather. The forecast called for rain for most of the day, and apparently a storm rolled through overnight that we slept right through. We were out cold and didn’t even notice. We climbed out of the trailer and tossed some cinnamon rolls in the omina oven. Monica brewed some coffee, and we sat under the awning, as rain sprinkled down. 

It was a pretty chill time, sitting outside watching the rain lightly shower the camp. Lucy sat in the trailer, playing her switch, and Monica and I relaxed in our chairs, listening to some music, waiting for the wine tasting that was scheduled for later that day.

 As the afternoon rolled around, we loaded up and drove up the winding road past the vineyard and made our way up to the winery. A nice building with a huge patio overlooking the hillside. The band had already arrived and set up, or at least half of them anyway. A couple of members didn’t want to risk their equipment getting wet and bailed, so the remaining members agreed to brave the weather and do an acoustic set. They did an amazing job! Much better than I was expecting, if Im honest. The wine was flowing, the music was great, and everyone was getting loose. Monica and I don’t really drink wine, but we sampled the different bottles they had, and ordered some snacks to go with them. Lucy had a pizza, and it was delicious! 

The rain continued off and on the entire day as the wine bottles emptied. One of the campers, Paul, had been smoking some meat for another group meal we had planned for dinner, but with the rain not letting up, we began to worry if we were going to be eating soggy BBQ! Luckly, Mike pulled some strings with the owner of the vineyard, and he agreed to let us bring the meal up to the patio, so we did. The spread was epic! Paul provided the brisket, and Misty’s husband, Roland, smoked some pulled pork. Everyone else brought side dishes and desserts. I was really excited for Karen’s beans. She attended the previous year’s meet up and brought these beans that I can only describe as magical. Once I found out she was attending, I was hoping the beans would make an appearance!

 We ate, and laughed, and mingled until it was it was time make our way back down to camp. 

We spent our last night with a meat hangover from all the delicious food. The weather was still wet, and camp was getting muddy. We had a great time with our new friends, but it was now it was time to cozy up in the trailer, put on a movie and drift off to dream land.