Judi Morgan is a devious woman. She called me a few months back to seek my help in organizing an Active Rain gathering in San Antonio next year during Coldwell Banker's annual International Business Conference. I told her I'd be happy to help. A few weeks later, Judi called to let me know she and Ricki Eichler were hosting an AR barbeque in Bandera, Texas and would I like to come.
Did I mention I'm writing this post at Judi's house in San Antonio? Yesterday was the big day and I was the surprise guest. The event was a ton of fun. Judi was up at 5:30 yesterday morning baking pecan pies and bread pudding. The house smelled heavenly. 
About 10:30, we jumped in the car and headed for Bandera, the Cowboy Capitol of The World.
When we arrived at the Pomarosa RV Center (one of Ricki's listings!), we met Ricki and her husband, Don and Cheri Lynn Venditti and her husband, Tom. It was the perfect setting for a party. The brisket was already on the grill.
As the day progressed, people began to trickle in. Carl & Ceil Winters, Debra and Scott Brooks, Edward Lui and many other Active Rainers. The moment I was waiting for was Jason Crouch's arrival. Judi had posted that there was going to be a surprise guest, but she didn't breathe a word of it to anyone. When we saw Jason and Pam pull up, I hid behind a sofa on the floor. Judi told Jason he needed to head out back to see the ducks in the pond. When he turned the corner, he said "What's Tom Plant doing on the floor?"
Ricki took us out to see a few of her listings and then for a brief tour of Bandera before we headed back for dinner.
The following picture needs an explanation. We saw a bit of commotion in the street. The poodle you see was sitting behind the saddle on one of the horses. He jumped off and they were trying to get him back up on the horse. We took off after the third attempt to get him in the mood to ride failed.
When we returned to Pomarosa, our numbers had increased. Liz Carter had arrived with her husband and Jem Woods and his wife were there, too. Talk was at a minimum as folks were savoring every bite of the best beef brisket I have ever tasted.
After dinner, we took group photos.
We went back in and I asked Jason to say a few words about his friend David Wilder. I agreed to act as auctioneer as we sold desserts and some generous donations from Liz Carter to raise over $600 for David's family. Active Rain truly is a family. I'm proud to be a member.
Tom Plant, Murrieta Real Estate Expert – GRI, e-PRO – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – 951.907.9701 – Active Rain Ambassador
It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.
Kathy - Face to face meeting with fellow bloggers simply rocks!
Paul - We had an amazing day. If there's any way I can swing it, I'll see you in Phoenix.
Pat - ha ha ha... We had a wonderful time!
Loved all the pictures and the western theme with horses, etc. Sorry I missed the party, but thank you so much for 'taking me there.'
Tom, you have the life!!! You are the perfect ambassador for the Rain. Thanks for the great photos (as usual). I love that you always keep us in the loop of your travel diary.
Now, didn't you say something about a Topanga trip in May?
Brian - You guys are trying to give me a bad name! This was a wonderful time.
Susie - My pleasure... next time you need to physically be here!
Bill - We had a ball. I do love Texas.
Elaine - I love my life and am happy to share it here.
Missy - It was great. Thanks for recommending this for a feature. It worked!
Judi - You and Don are the perfect hosts. What a great day we had today in Fredericksburg!!!
People in Texas sure do know how to have fun! Sounds like a great gathering!
Tom - GREAT post describing this AR event and I love the photos.
You, sir, I imagine are one lucky duck to have been the guest of the Queen of M&M's, Judi Morgan!
Jackie
Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom,
All I can say is I'm adding Sneaky in front of Mr. Active Rain Ambassador! $50 bucks for this?
And check out the expression on "Sneaky" Tom Plant & "Vanna" Ricki's face...priceless! :) What fun, you are a hoot, and sure wished you lived in Houston. But guess that doesn't matter, heck you'll fly in for our Texas gatherings, what was I thinking?
Now you did saddle up and ride over and join my Texas Real Estate group, right? Can't wait to hear what someone from CA writes about TX?
I really enjoyed meeting you and all my other friends from Active Rain, and we could not have ask for nicer weather...it was a perfect day. You were a pleasant surprise for me as well as Jason. Hope you will come back when I throw a party hopefully this summer at my lake house.
I gotta go get my post written about our get together and of course have to write about Tex and Miss Molly's wedding plans. Bet that's the first time you heard of a bunch of "adults" planning a wedding for two long horns? )...
I keep telling you the picture by the Salon would'nt come out!
Don't forget to send me a copy of the picture you took of everyone taking pictures :). Was great meeting you in person, and now this is a switch, I'll get to know you better via Active Rain, vs the other way around with everyone else :) Here are a couple more Texas memories for you.
"Tom there is too much shade, that picture will not turn out!"
Your new Texas friend, Liz
Jason - I wouldn't have missed it for the world! Thanks for providing the title for this post...
Diane - I am happy to accept the title.
Lindsay - It not only looked scrumptious, it was!
Ricki - I'm so happy Judi and you included me. I was so happy I could be a part of this wonderful day.
Gary - So sorry you weren't able to make it. Next time for sure!
Sardi - It's in my blood, I've got the traveling bug. See you in SF this July.
Eleanor - I love to surprise people. We all had a blast!
Dan - I'm running out of room for all my "titles"... nope, no drunk dialing this time, sorry...
Candace - It was actually in Bandera, but we did have a grand time. Fingers crossed I can come to Phoenix.
Christine - Thank you. We did!
Wow, Tom! You have the most interesting adventures....I didn't even realize this was in the works. It looks like you all had a wonderful time~thanks so much for sharing these awesome photos; almost feels like I was there.
It's amazing how AR members pull together to help one another out.
((-:
Jo
Wendy - Promise? If I can make it from California...
Lisa - Wish you could have been here. We talked about you, all good, I promise.
Linda - We wished you could have been here, too. Next time, ok?
Deb - I really enjoyed meeting you and Scott. Will you be writing the offer on our new home?
Maria - You're welcome. We had a wonderful time.
Lynda - Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks.
Margaret - I love Texas and am happy to say I've been "adopted".
Roberta - Thanks. Texans know how to throw a party.
Bob & Carolin - I had fun taking the pictures, but not enough time!
Jackie - Thank you and I am a lucky duck, indeed!
Angela - You would have had a great time!
Ryan - You're welcome. Make sure you check out Jason's, too, http://activerain.com/blogsview/467124/My-First-ActiveRain-Gathering
Liz - What do I know about photography. I should have listened to you! I loved meeting you and look forward to a return visit.
Russ - It's a country town indeed. We have a few in California, not quite like Bandera, though.
Jo - I will have to put you in my satchel. I think you'd make a great travel companion.
LOL...some of the pictures are hilarious. I love the dog ones. i can't imagine a poodle riding a horse...
I am glad you all got to meet and have a good time!
Robert - Thanks for coming back to identify yourself!
Sara - You know I'll see you in SF. Looking forward to seeing you and your fellow zillow-ites at Beer for Bloggers!
Christy - It was a sight to behold. Wish we could have spent more time in Bandera.
Sally - WooHoo!!! It was large fun. Nice talking with you today.
Joan - Thanks for coming along for the ride. Glad you liked it!
Hello Tom,
This was just a great group and all had a lot of fun it was that much more fun because you were there. I do have a picture of you on the floor. I think I will do a short blog and add the picture. You know the group picture sure does not show how many we had there, 41 people in all including spouses. You and Ricki did so good on the auction, It seems that I was bidding aginst myself, do you think. :) See you next time.
Don Eichler Kerrville Texas.
Howdy Tom
How ya be doing?
You sure got to meet face to face with some of the best of the best AR member's thats for sure.
What a very fun day, Y'all had.
Judi told me about that you did a blog post on the First AR Texas Gathering.
What a very fine written post you have done.
Seems you make it to all the good parties! Sounds like a fun day and your photos are fantastic.
Tom - Ceil and I have been sitting here reading all the comments. She is on one computer and I'm on the other. There have been so many comments today about the Bandera Gathering we are having a hard time keeping up.
It was a day complete in every way. It is really hard to explain to people what has happened to many of us since we first got acquainted on Active Rain. Seems everyday we meet someone new. I even met someone last week and finally figured out we went to junior high school together. Now we can add one more very "special" person that has come into our life, Tom Plant.
Tom, the best to you and please always keep in touch.
Tom
Thanks again for coming to Texas for our event. You are a gentleman and a scholar and could easlily pass for a Texan with your great caring attittude pardner! Good job on the cake sale! ;o)
My wife and I enjoyed meeting with you and all the others Saturday. What a nice time we all had. We look forward to another meeting next year and hope you can make it again my friend.
Trey Thurmond
Tom...Glad to hear you got up off the floor in time to have so much fun.
That bread pudding looks delicious to me. I love that stuff. Maybe I'll be angling for an invite next year!
Cheers,
Kathleen
P.S. It looks and sounds like everyone had a wonderful time.
Don - You all made me feel right at home. It was such a pleasure meeting you.
Dale - Thanks for your kind words. AR gatherings are very special.
Cynthia - Thanks. We did have fun. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Carl - I'm so pleased to have met you and Ceil. What a fun day. Thanks for your kind words.
Trey - I feel like a Texan... think it's in my blood. Thanks for making me so welcome.
Kate - You should come next year. Everything was delicious and it was wonderful making so many great new friends.
Hey sneaky Tom, what you doing still in TX? You need a visa to stay this long in our great State, but since your with Ms. Judi, guess I'll let you slide. I thought the expression I caught on your face was priceless...then I just saw mine in this group picture. What in the world had I seen or was thinking??? Trey I'm gonna get you for posting this picture of me :). Hey Sneaky, need a good Realtor, you can just go ahead and buy a house here and move her, that way you wont need that visa?
Liz - You caught me! Yes, the authorities evicted me and now I'm back in CA. You know a good Texas REALTOR? Sneaky Tom
Edward - It was great meeting you, too. I look forward to the next gathering.
Joey - It was great seeing you yesterday. I look forward to planning our event with you.
Hey "Sneaky" Tom, at least you admitted it! Guess I'll have to fly out there and check the CA Gathering out!!! :) Zydeco says to tell you Hi!! :)
I like the background of your blog -- very nice!!!
Tom, sorry to be so late in coming by to say congratulations for your featured post on our group. Marchel and I always drop in and tip our hat to all the featured, and the round up picks of the last two weeks.
Sp here's a tip of our hat to you on your great post. L & M
Jesse - It will be tough to beat, that's for sure!
Bill & Barbara-Jo - I really had a great time. I love all the new friends I have met!!!
Liz - Thank you so much. I feel honored to be in such esteemed company!
Lisa - I'm just having a ball. NYC was great, wasn't it?