Eventhough we had to cut our time in the San Antonio area short, we were able to visit two out three places that we planned to visit anyway.

First stop was Gruene (pronounced Green). Cory, the mechanic that fixed our water heater, told us about Gruene and not to miss seeing it. Gruene is home to the oldest dance hall in Texas. Loretta Lynn just played there the evening before to a packed house. The hall's maximum capacity is 800. How they fit that many people in the space we saw is hard to imagine.

The whole town was out of the 1800's. Many of the original buildings and homes have been converted into stores. The general store to this day retains the charm of yesterday with an old soda fountain counter and floor to ceiling gizmos and gadgets.

The next stop, was Black's BBQ in Lockhart, the BBQ capital of Texas. I learned about Lockhart and Black's from a co-worker who travels all over the United States on vacation tasting and gathering information for a book that he is planning to write about BBQ. He said Black's was best for Texan Style BBQ. They have the system down. It is cafeteria style with cold and hot sides. Then, you select the meat, which is sold by weight. We tried it all - Beef Rib, Brisket, and pork ribs. My beef rib was the best, but they are known for their brisket. We got there at 11:15am and there was no line. When we left at 12:30pm, the line was down the street.

Our next destination was the Northlake RV Resort in Houston where we will spend the night. It is only 17 minutes from our friends, Jack and Midge, who live in Spring. It was an eventful drive. We would have sunny skies one moment. Then, the clouds would roll in and drop buckets of rain to the point you can't see. The next moment it stops and the pavement is bone dry. This happened a few times.

We arrived around 4:30pm at the RV Park. This was a very nice park. The pads were all level with a little grass patch and a huge man-made catch and release lake.

After solving a couple of issues such as wasps in the electric box and a bad electrical connection, the boys had a drink before we headed to our friends for another Texan BBQ dinner. They served up BBQ from Spring Creek BBQ, which Jack says is the best around. The brisket was sooo tender. There was a difference of opinion which was better - Black's or Spring Creek's.

One of the reasons that we love to RV is reconnecting with family and friends along the way. Jack and Midge are dear friends that we don't see very often.Their son, John, and daugher-in-law, Lisa, made it even more special by joining us. They are first of many visits we plan to make on this trip.

Next stop....New Iberia LA and Avery Island, home of Tabasco Sauce.