Campground news, Hill Country happenings, and our story - told one week at a time.
Gordon's weekly notes from the campground — what's happening around the property, what's coming up in Bandera, Boerne, and the Hill Country, and the ongoing story of how a dream became Al's Hideaway. New posts every week.
Every Friday night through July 31, Mansfield Park Arena lights up with broncs, bulls, and barrel racing — and we're 15 minutes down the road. Plus dinosaurs at Saturday's Jurassic Jamboree.
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The seller accepted our offer on the spot - and suddenly the dream had a home. Now the real work could begin: weekends of clearing brush, cutting cedar, and camping on an air mattress.
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Andrea said she'd found the perfect property. Like my pappy always said, 'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.' So we scheduled a visit.
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They're building a brand-new state park six minutes down the road - and Al's Hideaway is the closest campground, period. Plus: the property search begins.
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We looked at the Gulf Coast. We looked at the Ozarks. Then one riding weekend in the Hill Country changed everything: here, you can ride year-round.
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Camped on top of Mount Nebo, Jennifer asked if I could build a campground of our own. I told her, 'If you can dream it, I can build it.' She said she dreamed big.
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Long before there were cabins, signs, or a name, there was Albert Banis - 'Abe' - my wife Jennifer's grandfather. Those Hill Country trips were their hideaway.
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A strong winter storm forced us to cancel our catfish fry - but the next few weeks are shaping up big: Cowboy Mardi Gras, a chili cook-off, and the Three Twisted Sisters.
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When people search for cabins, RV sites, or campgrounds in Bandera County, they're often looking for more than a place to sleep. Here's who we are and what makes us different.
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Texas will be buzzing with World Cup energy in 2026. Savvy travelers know the move: enjoy the excitement, then escape to a peaceful Hill Country retreat.
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