This past summer, we had our 6th stay at a hotel owned by the McMenamin brothers. This one was less quirky than the others. It had a golf theme. 

Old or New?

Most of the McMenamin hotels are located in refurbished, historic buildings. Most of the hotels on my 90 Nights blog, are historic or unusual.  

This hotel in Gearhart, Oregon wasn't old, but it was unusual. Plus it had a lot of history behind it.

An Overnight with Family!

It was towards the end of August, when "Pop and Grammaloon" traveled to the coastal community of Gearhart, with our grand baby and her parents. We found the Cape Cod-style hotel sitting conveniently beside the highway, across from the Pacific Ocean!

The old-looking hotel was actually constructed around 2001, on the spot of the original 1926 golf clubhouse. Around 2018, The McMenamin Bros bought the newish building, which held a pub and pro shop. (I believe) They added hotel rooms on the third floor and all the other festive stuff they're known for!

Killing Time

We weren't able to check in early, so we had some time to kill. We could have borrowed some of the hotel bikes and explored. Cute bikes!

Or we could have taken a seat on the bench in front. Old! That bench looked like it had been sitting there much longer than the hotel. 

​Since 1892

If we'd had clubs, we could have killed time on the golf course, behind the Gearhart Hotel. Scary! It's been a quarter century since I've held a club. 

This course has been attracting golfers since 1892. Gearhart Golf Links is one of the oldest golf courses west of the Mississippi.

Time at Beach

But, we hadn't come to the hotel for golfing or biking or bench-sitting. We came because it was near a beach. A century ago, travelers could come to this seaside hotel and enjoy both grass and sand. The original hotel from 1912, offered a beach on one side and golf course on the other.

The beach was much closer then. Guests could easily wander down from the porch and sit or stroll on the sand. They could even enjoy the ocean breeze as they rode in a horse drawn buggy. If guests didn't like the salty sea water, they could swim in the indoor pool. Sadly this hotel burned down in 1913.

The Last of the Oldies?

The hotel was rebuilt, but it lasted less that two years, before it met the same fate.

I'm guessing this old image shows the third hotel, built in 1922. Look at the grass and the stairs leading down to the water! Nice! This one lasted into the 1970's, but was razed to make way for condos. 
 
​Roadside Hotel

Today's hotel sits with its face to the highway and rear to the golf course. The ocean view is sadly blocked by newer buildings.

Luckily the Pacific was just a short walk away. And that's what we did with our spare time!

Down to the Beach

We crossed the street and headed down a pathway towards the ocean.

After passing a cluster of buildings we continued on a sandy path. I spotted a few familiar benches, oddly distant from the beach. The dunes must have shifted a lot over the years.

Beach Time!

​Before long we reached the sand and Charlie (at 18 months) saw her first ocean!  

We had to travel south a bit to reach the car free zone. Then we practically had the beach to ourselves. Charlie couldn't have been happier!

The Annex

By 3:30, we were able to check in. Our 2 rooms were located in a newer building, that was even closer to the highway. 

We'd hoped for a room with a view of the golf course, but we ended up on the west side of the building. However, we were happy to discover that we could indeed see a bit of the ocean, from our dormer windows! 

Annex from Behind

I usually shy away from the annex of anything. When I hear the word, I picture additions that aren't as good. But this building looked pretty sweet when I viewed it across the putting green. It looked classy... even though part of it was a golf cart garage.

There was a small sitting area, which offered complimentary coffee in the morning. The warm knotty pine and colorful art reminded us that we were in  one of the 12 unique, McMenamin hotels! 

Up We Go

We headed up the stairs, lugging a portable crib/playpen. Fingers crossed that our rooms would work well for a toddler.

At the top of the stairs we found more colorful art and light fixtures.

Glowing Colors
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Another hallway in the Annex had a whimsical glow. Although I will admit, my eyes had a hard time adjusting in the dim space.

Colorful lights danced around at one end of the hall. A golfer and his putter almost glowed in the dark, from a large piece of art.

​Golf Theme

The McMenimin Bros really know how to embrace a theme. The halls in the Annex and the main hotel were filled with artwork, created to fit the golf theme of the hotel.

I recognized some of the art styles and artists from other hotels where we've stayed. Such clever images, tied into the history of Gearhart! 

Cleek Room

I was curious to see what name would be on our door. Usually McMenamin hotel rooms are named for people, but ours had a word that I didn't recognize. 

Evidently our room was named for some kind of golf club. There was a nice framed explanation on the wall. But long writeup was from 1887. It made no sense to me. Maybe the design of our headboard gave a clue.

​Comfy Space

The shape of our knotty pine room, made me feel like we were staying in a comfy attic space, in some grandma's old house. Although neither of my grandma's ever had such a stylish headboards. 

The room wasn't fancy, but it was luxurious compared to some of the classic McMenamin hotel rooms. We actually had a TV and our bathroom wasn't down the hall.

Cute and Cozy

Our Cleek Room was conveniently located next door to "the kids". They had the same cute alcove with chairs and table. They dragged their chairs over to our room, later in the evening.

The bathroom with shower wasn't huge, but no complaints. We've done the "shared bath" thing at a few of these whimsical hotels.  

Late Afternoon

After we got settled, I headed off to figure out the options for the afternoon. It wasn't even 4 pm, but we were ready to celebrate. We only had one night at Gearhart.  

There was a dining terrace overlooking the golf course and lots of seating on the lawn.

There was a raised deck as well, with good views of distant mountains, as well as the course.

Sand Trap Pub

I headed up the stairs to check out the inside options. The Sand Trap Pub offered a full bar as well as the usual McMenamin brand beers and wines. 

There were few people inside, on that beautiful afternoon.

​Deck Seating

Quite a few people were seated on the raised deck. (photo from morning)

It was tempting to grab a table under and umbrella. I love a hotel porch, especially when there's a view!

Here's a porch pic from long ago. These gentlemen were facing the camera, but the ocean was directly to their right. What a heavenly porch view!

​Back Down

After a text or 2 to the others, we agreed to gather on the lawn. 

I headed down the outside stairs and grabbed a table.

Pot Bunker Bar

Not far from our table in the grass, we found the Pot Bunker Bar. The cozy little pub space, beneath the porch was convenient. We could order and serve ourselves.

The fireplace was hardly needed, but it made things cozy. I thought I spotted a fire poker below the mantel. Of course not. That was a putter.

Old Photos

Another small room off the Pot Bunker, had a shuffleboard table...

...and a collection of historic photos. I snapped a couple photos of photos and hurried out to join the others.

​Perfect!

This image doesn't capture just how nice the air felt that afternoon. The Oregon coast can be windy and chilly. We were soaking in the afternoon rays, feeling incredibly lucky.

We sipped and gabbed and took in the view. It was entertaining to watch a crew of two, prepping fires in the fire pits and putting out lawn games for the evening.

Cheers!

In the past 2 years, we've learned not to take any of our trips or gatherings for granted. The pandemic has made trip planning more worrisome. but it's also made us more grateful. 

Heidi and I toasted to Charlie's first beach visit. She couldn't have been a happier little beach baby! We also cheered to pulling off this little trip without any covid intrusions! So many friends and family members have dealt with ruined plans, during this summer of 2022!

​Dinnertime 

The dining room was buzzing at 6, but we were seated after a short wait. Again the fire in the fireplace wasn't needed, but I appreciate the staff for keeping the hotel inviting!

Our server (who was also a mom) had lots of tricks up her sleeve to delight Charlie. Actually Charlie's biggest delight was tasting (and loving) Caesar Salad for the first time. Our meal was even more enjoyable, knowing we were just steps away from the Annex. 

Cards in the Room

Charlie didn't exactly fall asleep easily, but she rested quietly and we 4 played cards.

There was something so simple and satisfying about playing cards in that little alcove. These are the little things I'll remember about our overnight adventure.

Morning

​There was no rush in the morning, but we were all up and out early.

We wandered with coffee, trying to decide where to sit. The deck had soft chairs and a rocker or two!

 We chose the tables on the grass again. Just too easy. We ordered breakfast at the Pot Bunker Bar and enjoyed lingering.

A Walk in the Grass

The course was quiet on a Monday morning. We thought about letting Charlie have her first walk on a putting green...

...but she was happy enough to just feel the regular lawn under her feet. So many simple pleasures for this little girl.

​What's Notable?

​We spent a night at a hotel with a golf theme. That sounds like a resort, not a McMenamins Hotel. This hotel was definitely the most "regular" of all the McMenamins hotels that we've enjoyed. There were no secret passageways or movie theaters. There was no winery or distillery. The hotel had not once been an asylum or grade school. There was a history, but not a creepy or odd or over the top history.

Our stay was not full of wild and whimsical distraction. And that's part of what made it so nice. Our visit was not about the hotel really, it was about being with family in a place where we could easily enjoy each other... and enjoy a little taste of the beach. Perfect for us!
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Spokane, Washington

This past August, Don and I booked a night at The Davenport. It was a good stopping point, on our trip between Bozeman and Portland. 

I was excited to lay eyes on the 108-year-old hotel. It took up a whole downtown city block. 

Four Sides

We circled the block looking for the entrance. I just love a fancy hotel entrance. I could have made a grand entrance... through a fancy entrance... but we could find no entrance.

Oddly, all the doors on the street were not in use. I'm not sure if that was a temporary issue. 

The East Wing

The lobby entrance was actually hidden in a new structure, built in 2000.  

The stucco and tile addition seemed out of place to me. At a glance, it looked like a modern chain hotel had been glued to an older brick building.

Louis Davenport & His Restaurant

Actually, the addition from 2000, looked very similar to the original Davenport Restaurant. The one-story restaurant (with ballroom above) once stood on the North-east corner of the block.

Louis Davenport is the name behind the hotel. Back in 1904, Mr. Davenport was more interested in food than hotels. That's when he had his Mission-style restaurant constructed. The towering brick hotel was added later. It opened in 1914.

​Unimpressive Entrance

Today's Mission-style structure holds no restaurant. It's mostly a large Porte Cochere/Parking Garage. We drove around the fountain and turned our car over for valet parking. 

Even with the fountain feature, the entrance was more convenient than elegant. But it was easy and we found the lobby desk right through the doors. 

Cool Check-In

It was a treat to step inside the chilled hotel. It was 101 degrees in Spokane that afternoon. I was impressed to learn that The Davenport was the first air-conditioned hotel in the USA. I was less impressed when I Googled and learned that many hotels claim to be first at offering that luxury.

As we checked in, I enjoyed the cool and admired the golden cherub on the front of the desk. There were lovely decorated key boxes with more cherubs and creatures. Griffins? Mr. Davenport looked pretty serious, gazing down from his portrait. Maybe his expression was just, seriously grateful. Grateful, that his hotel was rescued from demolition in the 1980's. 

Heading Up

After checking in, we grabbed bags and headed for the elevator. Our modern keycard was needed to operate the fancy elevator, with its padded interior.

We reached the 8th floor and set off in search of our guest room. The hotel had 284 of them, plus 37 suites. Not all on the 8th floor, of course!

Room 809

I wasn't expecting anything too grand, since we booked just about the cheapest. Actually $275. is a lot for these thrifty travelers. 

The room was decent and traditional. The bed was super comfy and the shower was huge. We were happy.

View of The Terrace

I was delighted to pull open the drapes and enjoy a nice view of the Roof Garden Terrace. My photo shows the view in the shady morning, but at 4:30 pm the terrace was baking in the scorching sun.

I found that out when I dashed down a little later. The red umbrellas just didn't offer enough relief, but the area still looked inviting.

Examining the Building

​Our window also gave us a good look at the upper part of the hotel's exterior. It looked surprisingly simple and basic.

Louis Davenport created this room in honor of his friend, Harper Joy. The man with the happy name, was so fond of circuses that he often ran away with them. The circus-themed room was not just used for children's parties, but was used for adult gatherings. Now it's a spacious guest room!  

Exploring the Lobby

​I left Don relaxing in the room for a while and headed down to check out the decadent first floor.

So many old hotel lobbies are dim and depressing. The Davenport's Spanish Renaissance-style lobby had some nice sunlight pouring through the art glass ceiling panels. 

Fancy Beams

The light also illuminated the decorated, faux wood beams. The designs  were originally painted, but the colors were completely hidden for years.

During hotel renovations in 2000, the beams were carefully cleaned. Years of cigar, cigarette and fireplace smoke was removed and the colors were revealed.

Pretty Doors

I dashed around the lobby snapping a few pics and came upon some interesting doors.

I was intrigued with all the designs. The golden gate/door seemed to be  guarding some kind of locked boxes. ? Who knows what was behind the wooden doors with crests. They were locked. 

Stairs

The golden staircase was as much fun as the golden elevator.

I loved the little cherubs on the railing. They had wings like the figures on the lobby desk. So many cherub/angels in The Davenport!

Grand Mezzanine

I found more glass ceiling panels on the Mezzanine level.

There was a much better view of the cast plaster beams on the upper level. The burgundy, gold and teal colors were more vivid. Evidently there are surprises hidden all over the hotel if you have time. I learned about some special words later, or I would have hunted for them. The words, "Will You Marry Me" are written somewhere, in the faux wood grain.

View From Above
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The view over the railing could have been fun for a little people watching activity. But there were few people to watch. I studied the seating options instead. 

I could see dining tables and a glowing fireplace at the far end. Below me, I spotted lots of cozy couches and chairs and a musician, seated near the piano.  

Lobby Entertainment
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The man was playing guitar, not piano. He created a pleasant sound, that filled the space, without intruding. 

I wonder if those tall, swirling light posts were golden, back when the (black and white) Maypole photo was taken.
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More Lighting

The incredibly ornate hanging fixtures, looked just as they did in the early photo.

The original sconces, still glow from the walls. Again, how lucky that this hotel was rescued from demolition. An apparently wealthy couple, (Mr. & Ms. Worthy) bought the entire block in 2000. It took 2 years and 38-million bucks to reopen the closed hotel.

Enjoying the Lobby

By 5:30, Don and I were ready to let the evening begin! We spent some time hanging out in the lobby, sitting in large comfy chairs. And by the way, is that a shark or a catfish in the fountain?

The lobby was pretty quiet on a Thursday evening, which made it seem like guitarist Steven King was playing just for us. He filled the open space with calming tunes. All appealing, from the Beatles to Gershwin. (Amazing "Fingerstyle" skills!) We kept him going with clapping and tips and compliments on his music and his bolo tie. Elenor Rigby was my favorite.

"Meet me at the Fireplace"

The Davenport is known for its fireplace, which is lit 24/7, during every month. "Meet me at the fireplace."  is a sentence associated with this hotel. Don and I actually ended up meeting someone at the fireplace. We headed over at one point to have a look at the fire (now gas) and the painting above.

A man was dining alone nearby. He looked to be nearly as old as the hotel, but he appeared content and he laughed when I told him I needed the fire's warmth. I added, "This air-conditioning works too well." He pointed out his sweater vest and agreed. He seemed delighted that we were enjoying the hotel that he so adored. He was visiting Spokane for a few nights and enjoying long ago memories, of when he and his wife had their rehearsal dinner at the hotel. It had been 20 years since she'd passed, so not his first visit without her. What a positive man and what a lovely encounter, at the Fireplace. 
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Food & Drink

The hotel's Palm Court Grill was only serving in the lobby that night. Don and I weren't up for a formal dinner, so we headed into the Peacock Room, to check out drink and dinner options. 

We enjoyed some people watching and decided to return after 9, for the Late Night Menu.

Peacocks!

​I failed to get a decent photo of the colorful stained glass above the bar. ​The peacock design was made of 5,000 pieces of stained glass. There were also two stuffed peacocks perched beside the TV, enjoying the baseball.

When Don and I returned after 9, we sat near the peacocks at the bar. We should have ordered Crab Louie, because we were told the famous dish was first created at The Davenport. My internet search was similar to the history of hotel air conditioning. Many restaurants claim to have created it. But there's decent proof of the Davenport's connection to the recipe! No crab for us, but Don and I enjoyed a light dinner, along with some surprise samples of Peanut Brittle Martini, from the generous bartender! Quite amazing!

Time to Explore Ballrooms!

​A good part of our evening was spent exploring... after our early martini happy hour.

There are numerous ballrooms at the hotel and they all seemed to welcome us with open doors! 

Isabella Ballroom

Talk about a grand entrance! There were golden gates and dramatic curtains, leading to the room named for Queen Isabella of Spain. 

This elegant space had once been the hotel's main dining room. 

Infinity Mirrors!

​Don and I had some fun with the mirrored walls. The accent frames were gilded with 22K gold leaf.

I did a proper curtsy in front of Queen Isabella's portrait. But now I realize my back was to her. I think I broke a rule there!

The Hall of Doges

​This photo shows the ballroom, that was inspired by the famous palace in Venice. This ballroom was constructed above Davenport's Restaurant in 1904.

When the hotel was refurbished in 2000, the whole ballroom was lifted by crane and the old restaurant was removed. Once the new east wing was constructed, the crane carefully moved the ballroom to its new spot. 

Stage Set?

This photo makes it easier to see how a ballroom could be lifted and moved to a parking lot for a while.

It looks like a room, within a room. A stage set! But I love it!

We had a wonderful time wandering through, admiring the Gothic arches and sparkling chandeliers.

I wasn't surprised to see more cherub/angels looking down from the fresco ceiling. This lovely pastel ballroom cost $30,000 in 1904!

Grand Pennington Ballroom

Just steps from the Hall of Doges, we peeked into a much larger and newer ballroom.

This gigantic (Imperial Russian-style) room seemed almost ridiculously large. I did some pondering. Who has enough money to rent this space? Who has enough friends to fill it? Then I thought about getting on that empty stage for a moment. I've been known to make use of an empty one. Then I thought about security cameras... We moved on.

Marie Antoinette Ballroom

This ballroom was Mrs. Davenport's favorite. There were too many tables for us to try out some dance moves. But this room held a floating dance floor, suspended on cables! What fun!

The ceiling color was supposed to remind guests of the sky at dusk, or dawn. The $10,000 chandeliers were supposed to glimmer like heavenly stars. I like picturing and the sparkling jewels and dresses on that dance floor in the 1920's.

Model T Display

I wish I could have seen the Marie Antoinette room nearly a century ago, when they displayed this 1928 Ford!

What a complicated and entertaining task, getting this Model T in and out. Why don't they do over the top things like this anymore?

Which Window?

The next morning, I went outside and looked at the windows, wondering which one had once opened itself up, for a car to pass through.

I couldn't figure that out, but I noticed some wonderful ram heads! The lower part of the building is much more ornate than the upper brick.

​Time for Elizabeth!

The very last room we visited was my favorite. It was named after me, of course. This English Tudor-style room was Mr. Davenport's favorite.

The ballroom was the first in the world to use folding panel doors, so the space could be divided. 

Posing with Food

I was happy to do a little pose next to the beautiful wood panels. I surprised to read, that this lovely wood was covered  in gold-flocked wallpaper, in the 1970's. Ugh!  

In the old photo you can see a chef standing beside an elaborate display of food. I wish I could have had a feast in the Elizabethan Room. I guess I could have, if I'd opened my bag from the gift shop. Davenport's Signature Soft Peanut Brittle!

Time for Don!

Eventually we traveled down to the basement so Don could see the pool. He loves a hotel pool and we could have had this one to ourselves.

Don didn't have a suit, so I invited him to do some posing with the modest lady painted on the wall. Then Don discovered a CVS vending machine that totally cracked us up. We couldn't buy candy bars, but we could purchase Covid tests or condoms. What a hoot.

​The Terrace

​By the time the moon was up, it felt safe to step out on the terrace.

We enjoyed the colorful smokestacks and Beatles mural, but the air still felt heavy. We only stayed out a while.

Famous Guests

After our bar dinner we headed back to our room, wondering about all the people who have visited the hotel over the years.

Bing Crosby has the most history with the hotel, but there's a huge list of past celebrity guests. If I could go back in time and dine or dance with one guest, who would it be? Elvis, Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Clark Gable, Babe Ruth, Lawrence Welk or John Phillips Sousa?  Not telling.

What's Notable?

We slept well and left Spokane in good spirits. This is a hotel we would recommend. The staff was welcoming and building itself was welcoming.

I love a hotel that allows me to explore. With the exception of about 2 locked doors, we were free to roam. There were plaques and historic photos to help guide us. We really needed one more night, to enjoy a dinner by the fireplace and maybe a drink on the terrace. We'll do that on our next visit... when we stay in the Circus Room!
​

A minute before, we'd pulled into Salado, knowing little about the town. It looked surprisingly lively, on a hot afternoon. Tourists roamed the shops and picnicked in the nearby park. We pulled into the lot and I headed inside the Registration Office, where the a.c. worked well! I was given a key and a very chilly metal pail, filled with ice. Ahhh! But where was the hotel?

​The Original Inn

Just steps from the office, (but fairly hidden behind trees) was the hotel's restaurant. The wood framed building, was the original, Shady Villa Inn. It opened in 1861 as a stagecoach stop, serving travelers on the Chisholm Trail. (This was not our hotel for the night!)

In 1943, Dion and Ruth Van Bibbers bought the property and opened a sophisticated southern style tea room. It was renamed the Stagecoach Inn. They stopped accepting lodgers at some point and focussed on adding dining rooms. We made reservations for the evening!

We drove our car from the office, to a shady building in the back of the grounds. Our accommodations were in a post WWII motel, not a Civil War era inn. No problem.

Pink Coach!

As soon as we hopped out of the car, we could hear the cars whizzing by on I-35. I wandered towards the sound and found the original motel lobby and coffee shop. Now closed.

I also found a stagecoach, sitting on some dry grass. Even with bright yellow and pink paint, it looked sort of lonely and forgotten. I'll bet it must have delighted kids back in the day, when they spotted it from the highway. The front of the hotel once faced I-35. That was back when the highway was brand new and much quieter.  

Love the Neon

From our parking area, the trees nearly blocked the iconic neon sign. But the cars flying by, had a good view.

It was only a couple years ago, that the Stagecoach Inn was taken over by Austin based "Bunkhouse Group". They reverted to the original Shady Villa name. I'm glad the old neon sign still glows!

Building #1

Scattered on the property, there were several buildings holding 48 rooms. All were connected by pretty walkways. As we headed towards our building, I wondered how this structure looked when it was built in the '50's. 

The Bunkhouse Group has done a great job rescuing numerous historic hotels. We've stayed at a few in Texas. I felt like I was spotting their style as we climbed the steps. The white brick, chickenwire with vines and interesting light fixture... All seemed to have a little Austin Hipness.
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​Both Sides
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The outdoor hallway revealed painted doors, but no windows. Each upper unit had an entrance on the north, with glass doors and balcony on the south side.

The lush landscaping offered lots of privacy, to the patios on the lower level. I was glad to be higher, with a view.

Cool!

Our spacious room with Saltillo tile floors felt cool on a hot day. The shiny floors made me feel like we were staying at a hotel in Mexico.  

The whole room had a cool, mid-century vibe. We had our naugahyde daybed/couch with lounge pillows and a hip swag lamp and a wall of glass, inviting us to the balcony.

Comfy Bed 

The daybed actually was not a bit comfortable, but the king bed and linens felt heavenly. And we had a very relaxing photo image above the bed. (Big Bend National Park?) All rooms featured photographic scenes of Texas.

I so appreciate having side tables and shelves and lamps, when we travel. I never expect to have a sound machine, but we had one.
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Fresh Bathroom!

The tile work in the bathroom was extra bright and fun. Reminded me of minty, Chiclets gum! 

The modern sink was sleek and the towels were thick and soft. What did the bathrooms look like 2 decades ago, when the hotel was run down and truckers were the usual guests? Those tired drivers would have loved making use of the giant showers, with great water pressure!

Extras 

Back in the '50's and '60's, travelers never expected a fridge in a motel. Microwaves weren't even in homes then. Our mid-century motel room had neither of those. I was fine with that.  

We did have an interesting coffeemaker, though. I fussed with it a while, but couldn't get my water heated. The cans of still water, were much cuter than plastic bottles. Color television? Luckily we didn't have a retro model with rabbit ears. We had a nice wall-mounted TV, with good picture and decent stations. Yay for TCM movies!  

Perfect?

The balcony was almost perfect. Especially with canvas butterfly chairs and an exotic lamp! There was just a little bit of stain on the fabric, from roosting birds. Balconies and birds...we've had this problem before. 

But we had a perfect view of the pool and grounds. Not too close! And we had the perfect amount of trees for shade. But, it was still 99 degrees!

Wandering

We had a couple hours until dinner. Don cooled off in the room, gabbing with the kids who called to wish him a Happy Dad Day!  

I braved the heat and wandered the grounds, enjoying the shade of live oaks and the sounds of splashing in the pool.

I headed down Main Street, towards Salado  Creek, then  returned to make sure we had time to hit the pool before dinner.

Pool Time
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​Something about the trees and jungly growth and the retro motel building, took me back to my childhood years living in Florida.

I was reminded of neighborhood pools, near my family's home in Tallahassee. Something about those retro chaise lounge chairs, resting under mod sunshades. But most of all it was the grass. It felt like 1967 and we were gathering with other families for a Father's Day BBQ!. There was a homey, or even  camp-like atmosphere. 

​Happy Hour on the Balcony

After a little pool time, we headed back to our room in wet suits.

We made use of the light, "serape robes" (that we've seen in other Bunkhouse Hotels) and covered our chairs. Our wet suits kept our bodies cool, while we sipped iced drinks and toasted to Don's 36th Father's Day. I promised we'd celebrate back home, the next day.  

​The Pavilion

On our way to dinner, we took our time checking out the brand new, spacious pavilion.

There were lots of games that made me wish our kids were with us. Ping  Pong, darts and giant Connect Four.  

Best of all there was lots of seating. Chairs and tables and couches, all in little gathering areas.  For cool months, there was a fireplace built into the stone wall. For steamy summer days, there were big fans hanging down from the rafters!

Western Club

​On the opposite side of the covered shelter, we found the Western Club.

The inviting bar, was just steps from the pool. I was surprised that it wasn't open on a busy "holiday", but maybe the new space hasn't fully opened yet. I can see how this whole resort-camp vibe might be catching on very soon.

​Restaurant Time

As we approached the restaurant, I had fun imagining this place back in the '50's when the Van Bibbers kept customers coming back for more deviled eggs and hushpuppies and Mrs. Van's Strawberry Kiss dessert!

We could spot some obvious additions. Many were added by the Van Bibbers. The ramp with more chickenwire, looked new.  

In the 1800's

It was fun to imagine what the inn was like, even further back in time.

I'm guessing this live oak (that seems to be growing in 2 directions) was probably around before the inn.

Local folklore says that General Sam Houston once stepped out onto the veranda to give a speech against secession from the Union..

We peeked in another upstairs room with the same appealing wood and stone.

Dining on Sunday Evening

The first floor of the inn is usually available for diners, but there were a.c. issues.

I would have loved to have eaten in this room. I have no clue about the man in the portrait or the cash register. There seemed to be many images of Mr Van Bibber in other rooms.

Lunch with the Ladies
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The Van Bibbers added dining spaces gradually in the 40's and '50's. I love the way they built around the oak tree!

I wish I could go back in time and have lunch with some lady friends. We'd remove our white gloves and have a little iced tea with our sandwiches.

Sunroom

I wish Don and I could have enjoyed our dinner in this room, overlooking the grounds.

It was full of diners when we first arrived, but it would have been a fun choice.

Main Room

​The main dining room didn't have the historic charm of the old inn, but it had a nice open feel, with books and fireplace, a couch and a bar. ​

My traditional chicken fried steak barely fit on my plate. It had an incredibly crispy, flavorful crust and sweet onion gravy!  

Back We Go

We didn't linger long. It had been a busy holiday at the hotel/restaurant and the staff had clearly put in a long day. 

We left happy and meandered back. The pavilion looked inviting even though the bar was closed.

All to Ourselves

And maybe it was lucky for us that the Western Club wasn't open.  

We had the pavilion to ourselves. Don got some wine from our room and we shared a glass, under a whirling fan. We were no longer bothered by the heat or the roar of I-35.  What a fun and comfy space.

Morning

In the morning, Don and I rose early and headed off in search of coffee. 

The air had cooled and Main Street was quiet! We found a coffee shop and wandered with our cups, in both directions. There were lots of little photo ops and I clicked away.

Salado Pics
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Here are a few from the evening before. Click to enlarge.

And way too many photos from our morning walk!

The jungly setting kind of tied it all together, with a casual resort feel! Cheers for a little pool time and quiet pavilion time and walking in town time.

We will definitely hit this place again! Hopefully before room rates rise high!
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The old railroad hotel has been sitting in this tiny Texas town for over 100 years. It's been on our Hotels to Try List, for just a few.


Post, Texas

Post is a curious place, but not exactly a vacation destination. 

But, since the town was right on our route home from Colorado, we booked a night.

Drive-by in 2019

Most of the hotels on this blog were introduced to us by word of mouth or the internet. But The Garza showed itself to us, when we drove through Post 3 years ago. I snapped a photo from the car.

This year when we pulled into town the hotel looked pretty much the same, except for a missing tree and a room addition. 

Easy Arrival

We parked right in front and headed for the obvious entrance, with the awning. Small town hotel parking is such a treat!

I noticed the door to the right, and guessed it belonged to our hosts. Owners who live onsite sometimes have good stories!  
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Glass Block in 1916?

As we headed to the door I realized I knew close to nothing about this old hotel, except that it opened in 1916. Before we headed in, I took a photo of the simple entry, wth lots of glass block. It prompted simple questions. Did they even have glass block in 1916? Did they add that in the '30's?

I read later that Gustave Falconnier patented the first hollowed glass block in 1886. I love collecting little historic tidbits!  

Inside The Garza

Don and I stepped inside at about 4 pm. We were greeted by some soft classical music and a strand of  glowing lights. But no people.

In the corner behind the desk, I spotted a camera, which most likely announced our arrival. A small sign told us to text, or press the buzzer for help. We buzzed.

Waiting

While we waited for the host, my eyes followed the shiny wood floors past the sofas and dining tables.

I could see stairs heading up to what looked like a cozy, loft-like space. I later learned that hotel's lower level, originally held a general store and dining room, with hotel rooms above. 

Looking at this image with 14-foot pressed tin ceilings, I can imagine shelves holding dry goods...coffee, cornmeal and flour. I picture bolts of fabric and tools. I picture glass jars full of penny candy. I don't picture those two enormous chandeliers hanging down, though! They were very, very odd. 
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Host Arrives​

I was studying the old organ when Ms. T appeared wearing gym shorts and tee shirt. Our host's laid back look, made me hopeful that we might chat a while and I could get some hotel/town history. But Ms. T was reserved and efficient as she checked us in.

She was quick to hand us our key and give us the scoop on wifi and breakfast. She walked us to the hall, pointed us towards our room, then disappeared into her private residence. 

​Room 10

Our first floor room was one of 11 guest rooms. It was clean and neat, with its own pressed tin ceiling. Decent for $118.

I appreciated having a ceiling fan and 2 bedside tables with lamps. There was a nice little craftsmen style desk and mirror.  

Room with a View

The king size bed took up most of the room. There was another chair, but no real place to sit comfortably. Don sat on the bed and noticed right away that there was an odd tilt to the mattress. But we managed. We've camped on hills and slept in rocky boats... 

Our window had a view of the side garden. It was 98 degrees that afternoon, but I was still glad to know we had use of the patio.  What was that black tubing?

The stairs took us to the second story, with a stop along the way. 

Loft Library?

​I'm guessing that at one point, this little area was just built into some open ceiling space. 

I wonder why we didn't curl up and read a book or play checkers? The space looks inviting in my photo, but the room had an odd feel. Was it the low ceiling?

Ceilings and Hall

Surely we could have have eased into that space, if we'd given it some time. Now when I study the photo of Don, I fantasize about the creative fun we could have had, with those ornate ceilings! We could have misbehaved like the vandals with spray paint, who invaded the hotel during the vacant years. Don was tall enough, he could have played Michelangelo with a brush and a pallet of bright paint. He wouldn't have needed scaffolding or ladder! 

But Don and I are courteous guests. We just wandered down the second story hallway and studied the antiques. I regretted not taking an upstairs guest room. This is the floor where guests slept 100 years ago, after arriving to Post by train. It was fun to imagine. 

We peeked in a few open rooms. I spotted a claw footed tub under a chandelier. That must be what the website meant, when they used the word elegant.

The little kitchen area wasn't elegant, but it had a few retro features and a handy microwave and fridge. I sort of kicked myself that we hadn't chosen a second floor room. I wouldn't have minded being the only guests, if we'd been upstairs.

The Garden

​We gave up waiting for the weather to cool. I stepped out to check on the garden and Don gathered some ice and beverages.

The brochure said, "Time outside is pleasant in the lighted waterfall garden." That sounded nice.


But I could see the host family's addition had invaded on some of the guest space. I wasn't totally clear if the patio was for the owners or the guests.

I noticed festive lights, wrapping the trees' trunks and branches. I hoped the garden would be pleasant when the sun went down. Sadly, the waterfall was dry and the patio chairs were covered in bird droppings. I headed down towards the less shaded deck. I almost tripped over a black hose that snaked over the walk... and that's when I noticed dog dishes the messy gravel. It was clearly a dog poop zone. I felt like I'd walked into someone's private backyard.
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Nice!

I headed down towards the newish deck near the rear of the yard. I spotted more hanging lights. That made the idea of sitting out after sunset, more inviting.  

I noticed an open gate on the back fence. I peeked in and saw an above ground pool, which is a little odd for a B&B. But I was wilting at that moment  and the water looked welcoming. Then I pondered over the confusing words on the small sign. I determined that the pool was off limits to guests. Oh well. Don would be arriving with cold drinks soon.

Cheers to Post!

Don and I rarely turn down a hotel patio or porch, even in rain, or scorching heat. We were determined to make a toast to our hotel's history, which we knew nothing about.

We snapped a photo with the camera timer. If we'd waited a moment longer, we could have asked Ms. T to take the photo, when she appeared from a backdoor. She seemed a little startled to see us on the deck. Or maybe she was perplexed, that we'd moved the chairs into the shade. As our host headed into the pool area, I quickly asked an important question. "Will the front door be locked if we come back late from dinner?" She answered without pausing. "It will be unlocked till 10." As she closed the gate behind her she added, "If you're later, just knock."   
Hmm?  Luckily we had no big plans in Post that night.
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Fly Friends

Don and I enjoyed our cold beverages while we listened to splashing sounds behind the fence. (swimming or pool cleaning?)  We were amused by the flies that enjoyed Happy Hour with us. They reminded us that we were out in Texas cow/ranch country. 

10 minutes later, Ms. T exited the pool area. I slowed her down with  another question about the waterfall. As I feared the water feature was out of commission. Oh well.

​Post in the Evening

Don and I actually had a great time on the deck. We did some history research on our phones and I got more curious the town. As the sun lowered, we headed off down Main Street. We had the Post to ourselves.

Post actually has a somewhat bizarre connection to C.W. Post, of cereal fame. In the early 1900's Mr. Post bought land in the area, with some of his fortune. He attempted to create a Utopian community, with tidy homes and trees. The town would have no liquor or brothels. He worked at his dream for less than a decade, but ended up taking his own life in 1914. Sometimes history is sobering.

Buildings and Bricks

We had a fun time wandering the quiet town. We didn't see any perfect little houses anywhere, but we found interesting buildings. The old Post Dispatch looked like it had the same rounded glass block, as our hotel. 

The Tower Theatre looked like it had the similar brick work as The Garza. The town had a lot of tan brick, because Mr. Post's Scottish stone masons evidently liked working with them.

Too Quiet
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We wandered to dinner and admired the impressively wide brick streets. A job done by WPA during the depression, I believe. 

It was 7:30 on a Saturday night. Stores were closed and we saw no one. I wanted to see a tumbleweed roll over those bricks!

To & From Dinner 

We paused so I could pose with the colorful sign and an oil pump. We were reminded why the town had a pungent oil odor. 

We ate at George's, which was the only open restaurant. Greek-Mexican-BBQ! We meandered back to down the empty, lonely street. The hotel was just as quiet. I peeked out to the garden and saw only one glowing strand of patio lights. We  opted to enjoy our a.c. and a little TV.
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 Morning

By morning the temps had lowered and our moods had lifted.  We were up and showered by 7, but the breakfast window was 8:30 to 9:15. We arrived 10 minutes early to grab coffee. I hoped the morning vibe would feel more relaxed and we could end up chatting with our hosts.  

But Ms. T was busy setting up the buffet. She looked up and I assured her we were just grabbing coffee. We left the table alone and happily took our mugs to the couches.

Pre-Breakfast Encounter!

We were not the only guests as it turns out. We met Bill who was getting early coffee just like us. He looked like someone we just needed to have a chat with. We introduced ourselves and he gave Don a firm handshake and solid eye contact. (Don noted) I reached out and Bill took my hand and tipped his hat. I was honored.

Turns out that Bill was "born and raised" in Post and was back visiting with his wife. He was the perfect person to fill us in on history. Not only did Bill have years of memories (he was about a decade older than me) but he was enthused and personable and definitely stylish, in his ostrich boots!

The Hotel

Bill chuckled about how wild Post was, back in the day. He teased that he knew that, since he had been one of the outlaws. He later got into law enforcement and knew quite a bit about our hotel in its darker years.

I looked at the tidy hotel and tried to picture the space when it was vacant. (1970's?) Then I imagined the folks who made the empty hotel their home. Bill said that at one point, a "Lady of the Night" moved in. (He made sure I knew what that meant) Then the teenage boys in town started coming around and the law had to get involved. The hotel became vacant again. Eventually the hotel had a rebirth when the Plummers bought the property in 1991. Current owners have been here about a decade.

Pondering Post

After a good chat, Bill's wife joined him for breakfast. Don and I enjoyed ours, while we thought about all we'd learned. We pictured the town as Bill described it. He told us stories his parents had told him. What a fun connection with a local!

We wondered what would have happened to CW Post's town, if he'd been happier and healthier and lived longer. That's something we didn't discuss with Bill. Oh how I wish I could have had 3 hours with Bill. 

Good-bye Garza & Good-bye Post

After breakfast we headed off. There was no formal check out, but I called to Ms. T behind the buffet table partition.. Told her we had a nice time and were on our way. I hope she heard me.

It was a pretty morning and we drove all over town. Post has about 5,000 residents, but I actually don't remember seeing one. We drove all over the little town and I felt myself oddly connected to the curious place.

I do know that I'll have fond memories now. Our visit with Bill did the trick. So, I'll remember The Garza as a simple and decent hotel, where we met a wonderful local and absorbed some entertaining history...that led to family history!

Victor, Colorado 2022
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We arrived in Victor, on a sunny day last June.  

It was the 15th day of our New Mexico/Colorado road trip. I was sort of grumpy when we arrived at the Victor Hotel.

Finding Victor

I took this photo from the car in 2019. It was at the beginning of a road trip and I was not grumpy. The cute gold mining town with a few dirt roads, looked inviting.

It seemed odd to have such a large hotel in such a tiny town. But when The Victor was built in 1889, there were 18,000 people living in the area. It seemed like this hotel might offer up a Notable Night experience in the future. It went on the list. 

June 2022

We put the Victorian Victor on the itinerary for this past June.

It was around 4:00, when we arrived on a Thursday afternoon. There were more cars on the street than I expected. We learned that the community was gearing up for the annual Gem & Minerals Festival.  

Lots and Lots of Messages

We parked and headed towards the corner entrance. The windows distracted me with lots of messages, taped to the glass.  

Some notices were curious. "Oddities Alley" ?? The sign on the brick amused me. "WATCH OUT FOR FALLING ICE/SNOW". One repeated message was a bit worrisome. "House Keepers wanted!!!" All those exclamation points were alarming.

​Getting Inside

As we approached the front door, I took my eyes off all reading material and admired the brickwork. It was easy to miss the historic charm of the building with all that window clutter.

Then I went for the door, but it was locked.  I realized we might find some  assistance from one of those window signs. On one of the paper notices, I found check-in instructions, for arriving guests. After some fumbling with my cell phone,  I finally got the needed info.  

In the Lobby

I punched the proper numbers into the keypad and we found ourselves inside. The quiet lobby wasn't exactly welcoming. A fat beam of sun was spotlighting the exposed foam cushion, on one couch. 

I've adjusted to the world of self-check-in. I don't expect to be greeted by friendly staff at each hotel. But there was an odd feel to this place. And an odd arrangement of furniture.

Bank Block Building
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We looked around a bit and found a couple interesting things in the lobby space. The bank vault in the corner looked like something from an old horror movie.

The vault was a reminder that this building was originally called "The Bank Block Building".  It housed the Victor Hotel & Restaurant and other businesses over the years... a photography studio, jewelry story, soda fountain and grocery store,  

Piano and Bar

By the side entrance, there was an old piano and a view of the restaurant and bar, above.

For a period of time, The Victor became a rooming house for miners. The piano didn't exactly look like an old ragtime piano. But it was fun to imagine miners hanging out in the hotel's saloon back in the day.

Back when this photo was taken, the hotel was called, The New Victor. The original (built 1894) was destroyed in the big 5-hour fire of 1899. The hotel and business district was rebuilt quickly and now most buildings have the year 1899, written on them.

​Nobody Home

​It was clear from more signs (propped up on the lobby counter) that no one was around to answer our questions.

​"...If you need anything, text me. The Management" 

It was tempting to text my most nagging question, "What's with the very odd furniture arrangement?" Why in this large lobby, did I see a couch and 10 chairs awkwardly gathered near the office counter?  An intimate book club gathering? A bible study? An AA meeting? I noticed the 2 speakers and thought of live music... but for a crowd of 12? Or maybe a puppet show in that window?

​Birdcage Elevator

Then came the really important question. "If we get trapped in the old elevator, how long will we have to wait to be saved?"  

Since my cellphone hardly worked in the lobby, I had a good feeling my cell wouldn't be useful inside the birdcage!

Brave Ride!

Don offered to stay put and let me test it out. He  promised to get help if I got trapped. Haha. But honestly we were both excited about the vintage elevator. Oldest working one in Colorado, I believe.

I've been in elevators like this before, but they've all required staff to run them. I was amazed that we were allowed to operate this ancient thing. It made a lot of clanking noise, but seemed to work well.

​Stairs

We could have been more cautious and used the stairs, the rest of the time.   But we were on the 4th floor and the 9,708 foot elevation was tough on us old geezers from Texas.

It was comforting to know we could race down the stairs or fire escape, if there was a replay of the 1899 fire!

​Fourth Floor

I was happy to be on the 4th floor, for views and quiet. Nice to have no squeaking floors above us. However the 4th floor might have been the noisiest floor... according to some guest comments on the internet, about ghost behavior.

Evidently, the top story operated as a hospital in the early 1900's. Not only did sick people travel up the birdcage elevator, but deceased folks as well. The 4th floor was also a morgue and sort of a holding cell for the bodies. Burial was impossible during the many months of harsh winter. What a thought!

Our Corner Room 

Our door code worked and we stepped into our spacious room. My eyes were drawn to the light. The arched windows were impressive! The bed making job wasn't so impressive. I cringed to think about the House Keeper notices. 

But that was my grumpy self reacting. The room looked clean and there were fun little accents like the golden radiator! I worried less about the sloppy bedspread when I pictured an overworked housekeeper rushing to make our bed. I stopped to sympathize and to appreciate our room price. Around $100. for this big room.

Headers and Stretchers!

When we entered the room, the windows were open and a table fan was humming away. I love open windows and I love fans with a good sound. I also love interesting artwork above the bed. I'm not being sarcastic.

I was totally entertained by the comical jumble of brick and mortar. Especially after observing the meticulous exterior brickwork. Were these bricks once covered with plaster? If the wall was exposed with renovation, I'm glad they did the work. I was so intrigued that I studied up on bricks, when we eventually found cell service. Those headers and stretchers created some unique patterns! I love new terms!

Tub and Sink

I'm guessing when miners inhabited this building, they had shared bathrooms and probably few tubs for all those hardworking (and very dirty) men. I'm not sure when our tiny bathroom was added, but I tried to be grateful for the tub.  

There was no room for a sink in the bathroom, but we had a very old school sink in the room. Not much room for ditty bags.

Window View

I loved the view. The late afternoon light was pretty on the distant mountains. Morning was lovely as well.

The windows allowed me to keep an eye on Victor Avenue, below. The town was gearing up for the festival and I could spot road block materials. We ended up moving our car, although I doubt they do any car-towing in Victor.

Sitting a Spell

While I pondered parking, Don checked out our sitting options. 

The nearby wardrobe was actually pretty handy, with its hidden TV, microwave, fridge and coffeemaker. That was helpful, since we were uncertain about dining options in the small town. We at least new there was a small general store with food.

Non-Comfy Chairs

The Victorian chairs nicely fit the hotel's history. But after a few minutes, Don realized the chairs did not fit his needs. 

Don's become pickier about chairs, in past months. Victorian furniture does not help with healing a fractured back. Even I was groaning a bit, when I sat and felt a metal piece poking up from the cushion. So I made a sneaky swap with some hall furniture. 

​Food & Drink?

I attempted a search on my phone for restaurants, but cell and internet coverage was too weak. I grumbled, then headed out on foot. 

It was actually wonderful wandering down Victor Ave, with all the tidy 1889 buildings lined up. I made some fun discoveries, but no open restaurants. I wondered where the 400 Victor residents dined. The saloon next door seemed to have good portion of residents, on their patio. But they were smoking and drinking, not eating.

Side Door Cafe at The Victor

I took a peek into our hotel's restaurant. Luckily it was open and looked sort of cute inside. 

The Side Door also had patio seating. The red chairs filled up a little later, with a smoking crowd. Seemed to be a lot of smoking in Victor.

The Bar Loft

Around 6, Don and I decided have a drink and grab some food-to-go, downstairs. We got a seat at the bar, overlooking the lobby. Our bartender Lisa was pleasant to us, but she mumbled and fussed a lot with the locals. I ordered a glass of wine and Don made the mistake of asking for an "Old Fashioned". Lisa didn't know what that was and Don wised up and ordered a beer.

We chatted with a local woman who was concerned about crime in Victor. She said someone had bent the handicapped sign near her apartment and a cat was hit and killed on 4th street. She'd had enough and she was moving to Cripple Creek. Other locals insisted that wasn't a good reason to move...

After a while Don and I asked to order some food to go. Lisa said the cook didn't like doing carryouts, but we were welcome to take the plates to our room.  That worked for us. 

Elevator at Night

By 9 pm, Don and I had eased into our quirky hotel. Our grumpy moods had lifted with a little TV and a decent burger. I just chuckled and skipped the soupy, cheese-less artichoke dip. It felt like we were back to our flexible traveler-selves.  I told Don I'd take the dirty dishes down to the bar. 

I rode the elevator down at night, without any disturbances. The ghost of Eddy the Miner, did not appear. Eddy was a miner who lived in Room 301. He fell to his death about 100 years ago, after stepping through the opened elevator door. For some reason the elevator hadn't arrived. So many eerie stories!

Question for the Bartender

Lisa seemed to be in good spirits when I found her cleaning the bar before closing up. She acted surprised and grateful that I'd bothered to bring the dishes down.

I headed down the steps to the elevator and Lisa looked over the half wall, to thank me again. I waved goodnight, then paused and pointed to the chairs, "What's with those chairs?" I asked. Lisa looked at the seating arrangement and seemed to search for the right words. "Oh! There's gonna be an event on Saturday. There's gonna be a show with... what do you call it? You know, crossdressers." Hmmm? I wondered while she tried to jog her brain. "Oh, yeah! Drag show! That's what it is. They're gonna have a drag show at the Oddities Event!"

So I headed up in the elevator feeling totally amused and confused and then I remembered the poster I'd seen in the window. I got my answer, but I still couldn't figure out the seating.  A "drag show" for an audience of 12?

Morning

Don and I both woke long before 6 am, with light coming through the huge windows. Neither of us minded. It was wonderful to get out early and roam around town.

During our 20 hour visit to Victor, we ended up meeting some nice locals and travelers during our little exploration.

Another Hotel
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One of our favorite encounters was in the morning, chatting over coffee with a traveling couple, in the bakery. They invited us to come see their hotel, a block away.

It was hard to tell which of us had picked the stranger hotel. They were staying in the Jack the Ripper Room at the Black Monarch.

So our stay at The Victor led us to a fun encounter and now we have one more hotel to add to our list!

​Back to Check Out

After lots of wandering, we checked the time and hurried back to the hotel. The door was propped open, so we walked right in and found a lobby full of chairs.  

Don and I raced up to get our bags. I did a quick job swapping the chairs back and we headed down the birdcage on last time.

Good Bye Odd Lobby

The lobby had such a different feel with morning light and people... and chairs. Don checked out at the little window with an actual living person.  

Violet was the mystery host. Suddenly she was a human, not a texting number. She said she was so excited about all the weekend festivities. She was going depart soon and get into her period costume and enjoy the festival! For a moment I actually wished we could have just one more night. It would definitely be a Notable Night on Saturday at The Victor!  

What's Notable?
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We stayed in a 133-year-old hotel, in a town of 400, during the third summer of the Covid Pandemic, on the 15th day of our road trip. I should have kept my expectations a little lower. I was sort of grumpy.

The town and hotel both need a little boost, but I'm so glad we came and experienced and gave some business. We arrived grumpy but left happy. Who knows, maybe we'll return!
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