Horse Races at Winter Ranch RV Park in Alamo, TX

When we were the Activity Directors at Winter Ranch several years back, we brought them the horse races from a park we stayed at in Arizona. The guys in the Wood Shop made the horses for us. The artists painted the horses and we talked several of the Iowa group at the Ranch to act as the workers for the games. The Iowa group in the park had a "Mayor" named Butch who is the person who handles the dice. The former Manager of the park does the calling for the game and then there are several people who move the horses down to the finish line. There are also workers who collect the money and hand out the cards that tell you which horse you bet on. You can place two bets each for each race.

Once a winner is announced, the people holding the winner cards, take them to the other side of the court to get their winnings. I did that while Lee went to the line to buy the cards for the next race.

It can get pretty loud and there was always a large group at the Arizona park and there is still a large group that comes to the Winter Ranch races. It is just a lot of fun and we are so glad they are still enjoying it.

Butch and Larry are getting ready for the first horse race.

Just about ready for the park.

The Big Horse Head shows where the Finish Line is.

They are on the Starting Line.

This is where the winners line up for their winnings after each race

That's us with Lee's two numbers for the next race. I got two also. Two is the maximum you can buy

Horses getting closer to the Finish Line!

Horse Races in Progress

           The guys on the floor cut up a lot and that adds to the fun!

South Padre Kite Festival

We really enjoy going to the Kite Festivals at South Padre Island. It is hard to really show what goes on with just these pictures. All of the featured kite flyers each year put together a sort of air dance to music. We just love relaxing and watching all the colorful kites do their musical dances in the air!