Sanderson, Texas in February 2014 Since Don and I were on a road trip through west Texas, we were up for experiencing a variety of curious overnights. This was our 4th stop along the way from Houston to Big Bend National Park. The Night Before The previous night we stayed in a tent in Garner State Park. That doesn't get a write up in "90 Notable Nights" because it wasn't a hotel, inn or motel, but it's worth mentioning. Knowing that we hardly slept in our tent due to unusual distractions, meant we arrived in Sanderson ready for a good night's sleep. Hopefully at the Oasis, we would not have a couple sitting outside our motel room talking in loud voices till 7 am. ( our camping neighbors packed up their unused tent in the morning) And certainly there would be no wild goat invasions! Options in Sanderson This little town of about 800, along US Highway 90, not far from the Mexican border only has about 2 motels. There would be no luxury options in Sanderson. However, the Trip Advisor reviews spoke highly of the Engeldorfs, who owned the Oasis and we were looking forward to our stay. Checking In When we walked through the double doors we were greeted by a cozy and cluttered office, with a shop to the left displaying glass boxes containing snakes and small reptiles. Thought the door straight ahead, we heard the sound of TV and laughter. A frisky border collie suddenly burst through. Ruth, the owner followed, reprimanding the dog. "Fergie! Stop that!" She had been expecting us and seemed hurried to give us out key and directions to our room. I was sort of hoping to peek at those snakes! Room #6 Our room was at the end of a newer strip of motel rooms. We even had the option of parking in a little built in carport. There were a couple picnic tables and a grill nearby, but they were a little too close to a neighbor's yard. The view would have been entertaining with a car on cinder blocks and an old school bus, but we figured we'd unpack and take a drink to the patio instead. Porches Some of the other rooms had porches with large wooden chairs. I inquired about those rooms, but Ruth reminded us we'd asked for one of the deluxe rooms. Our Deluxe Room Well, this might not thrill the traveler who expects room service, but we were in Sanderson and the price was right! We had a queen sized bed and a spacious room with Mexican tile floors and beamed ceiling. And our room was clean! There was a wardrobe with TV and a good sized sitting area with refrigerator and microwave. There was ample counter space around a brightly painted ceramic sink. There were a few framed prints on the wall. The eagle and flag went well with our patriotic bedspread and a few bits of art reflecting the west...cowboy boots and a rattlesnake. I'm not sure about the framed leopard. Are there leopards around here? The Bath and Sitting Area The sink and toilet were updated and clean. The shower was efficient. But I did have to chuckle when I read the water-stained note, sitting on a folded washcloth. (There was another such reminder, on the door) They must have a lot of visitors who are tempted to scrub their dusty motorcycles and vehicles with bath towels. The notes firmly invited us to ask for cleaning rags if needed. The words also reminded us to not throw the note away. I had a hard time protecting the wilted piece of paper when showering. I'm tempted to surprise the Engeldorfs with a set of stylish, lamenated notes that can dangle from colorful ribbons in each bathroom! As for the sitting area. That's a nice plus. I used my computer there. We could have sipped our gin and tonics there, but took them outside instead. Sunset Don and I watched the sunset from the patio near the goldfish and frog pond. The windmill whirred near the highway and a breeze rustled the dried grasses and palm fronds. Even the Oasis is showing signs of drought. It could have felt a little awkward since the patio was right next to the Engledorf's house and they were grilling dinner... Chatting with Family and Pets ...but we had a nice visit. Roy took a break from his grilling to chat about how he and Ruth had left jobs behind in Kansas and bought the motel over 10 years ago. He told us how capturing a gray banded king snake years before had lured him to this part of the country. Roy catches maybe 100 snakes a year, but hardly keeps any. The motel keeps him busy, but he shows snakes and reptiles regularly and I think he breeds small pythons? He seemed eager to tell us about a local rattlesnake known for its ability to turn white at night. Maybe he picked up on Don's science background because he said he'd been hoping to find someone to do research on that snake. But before we had a chance to peek at the snakes inside, a truck pulled up and a daughter or 2, along with a granddaughter and puppy climbed out. It was time for Roy to attend to the food. And he reminded us to get to town for dinner. Places close early. Food in Sanderson Our motel stay was made complete by our local dining. There were 2 choices that night and we were lucky to find the recommended Dairy King since there was no sign. Jessica our rather delightful waitress chatted with us quite a bit while she served me some great Tex-Mex and Don, an Eagle Burger. As for breakfast, the only weekday option was the Stripes truck stop directly across the street. The easily annoyed woman working behind the tiny food counter intimidated me into ordering quickly. We took our breakfast burritos and coffee back to our sitting area and chuckled over our meal before hitting the road. What's Notable? I would say the most unusual part of our stay was discovering the connection the Engledorf's had with snakes. Even the pipe near the gas tank was painted to resemble a snake. I didn't find it creepy at all knowing there were poisonous reptiles a few doors away. I only saw Roy playing fetch with Fergie and stroking Casper, the albino kitty. If he'd been chatting with while one of his pythons climbed over his shoulders or around his waist, that might have been different. In fact now that I think about it, I feel like we missed out on a big part of the motel experience at the Oasis! If we ever return, and I'm not sure we ever have reason to go through Sanderson again, I will demand a tour of the reptile collection!
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New Braunfels, TX Don and I stayed 2 nights in New Braunfels on our west Texas day road trip. We checked out of the Faust Hotel on Saturday, so we could try another historic overnight. This Inn was nearly 30 years older than the hotel and had a completely different feel. The porch swing, below the sign says it all. This place felt homey. Anyplace that has a swing of any kind gets bonus points from me. The Inn I sort of love a place that calls itself an inn. That conjurs up images of stagecoaches and horses. When the Eggling family built the inn in 1898, horses were used to carry the brick and lumber to the property. Porches and Doors Unlike our hotel stay the night before, the Inn had porches made for lounging. I haven't lived with a good porch since I was 9, living on Summer Street in Grinnell, Iowa. I have always liked the idea of watching the world go by from a raised porch. So we could opt to enjoy the view from the porch swing below or up above on the veranda, lounging on Adirondack chairs. The doors on both porches intrigued me as well. Both had screened doors, which is a good reminder of days before air conditioning. The main entrance to the hotel is made extra impressive by the 10-foot doors that came from a Galveston Hotel that was destroyed in the Big Flood of 1900. The window panes of etched glass added a little extra elegance! Going Up and Going Down When we entered the double doors our eyes went straight to the wide hallway, lit by a rather grand light fixture. The space was jammed with colors and patterns...black and white tiles and an oriental runner on the floor. The patterned wallpaper was covered in framed art and photos and a gigantic gold mirror reflected more of the Victorian décor from its spot above the fireplace. A fireplace in the hall! After meeting the owner Al, we climbed the stairs to the second floor and found the space equally curious. The open hall was lit from a skylight above, (unusual for its time) which made the blue wallpaper and white trim and more Victorian antiques much brighter. However there was something about the area that felt odd or distorted. Was it the ghosts I'd heard about? No. It was the white railing. I hadn't noticed until it was pointed out, that it was curiously short and had spacing wide enough to crawl through. I guess that's why visitors with children are invited to stay in the guest cottages. Our Own Grand Entrance Our door at the Faust had surprised us with a slatted feature the night before, but this was extra fun. We had two doors actually, the first being a swinging shuttered door which must have been used in days before air conditioning. But above our door frame we also had a transom window that actually worked! The Songbird Room When I had spoken with Al on the phone weeks earlier, he had suggested the Songbird Room. I liked the name of the room, along with the 1940'2 wallpaper and lace curtains. But mostly it was a treat to have a comfy, king bed, since many historic rooms are too small for such luxuries. We slept well despite the fact we couldn't adjust the ceiling fan to a hum from a roar. (We left it off) But the street was amazingly quiet for a Saturday night. Summer could be different. And we woke to songbirds outside the window. That fit! Extras We also had an extra little sitting area, a good closet and a decent bath. The original rooms had no bathrooms, so the bath was added much later. We were surprised to see a small refrigerator and coffeemaker. Two bottles of water and two small bags of pretzels added to our welcoming... along with packets of earplugs. (So many hotels were built to be near the railroad!) Breakfast The breakfast parlor was a cozy surprise with the 14 foot ceilings and tall shuttered windows letting in morning light. It's always interesting to see other guests when you come together in the morning. At first the German speaking table and the group of 6, dressed in church clothes all kept to themselves. But when Al came in to visit with everyone, the tables opened up. I got a kick out of chatting with a little girl who was traveling with parents and grandmother. She was excited to say she was playing the part of Skunk in a traveling production of Peter Pan. Food and Floors I had to laugh to see each table had a bottle of mustard. That was for the sausage kolaches that were served with cream cheese eggs and fresh fruit. I've never seen such a big pitcher of orange juice, for a table of two! And the floors. I loved the wellworn wood floor meeting up with the tile in the hall. I love picturing all the shoes and boots that have walked on these floors. Our Inn Keeper, Al I had already spoken with Al twice on the phone before our arrival. I knew he was enthused about the inn and would make us feel welcome. I'm glad our visit was in March, not in the hot months when tourists jam the nearby waters of the Guadalupe and fill the guest rooms at the inn. Al had time to pose with me and the portrait of Prince Solms, who was the founder of New Braunfels. He also wandered around the inn pointing out more curious features. We told Al about our travels and he told us a bit about his own love of exploring off the beaten track. He seemed so upbeat about the world he stepped into when he bought the inn 6 or so years ago. But it made me wonder if he'll ever have time to get out and explore again! Ghosts? I asked Al about the ghost stories I'd heard about. He laughed and said he'd never had an encounter since he'd never stayed at the inn himself. (He pointed out his house a block away) But he showed us a room with some stories... Sophie's Room, a lovely suite on the first floor. The guests had just left, so I couldn't ask them about encounters, but I did see the portrait above the bed. Al teased that we could say that was the ghost of Sophie, the fiancé of the original owner. He also pointed out an amazing hidden "wet bar" behind a cabinet door. And there was a piano in the large sitting room. If I decided to go for a night of ghost hunting, I think I'd opt to stay in a room like this one! What's Notable? Al made us feel like houseguests, not hotel guests. Ever since Psycho, male innkeepers have been given a bad rap. Al was so far from Norman Bates, he needs an award. Al does have some extra help, unlike Bates...but he seems to have the willingness to do what ever is necessary to make folks comfortable, whether it's giving a history tour or fixing a toilet if needed. Would I go back? Even with great places I often have a been there, done that attitude. But I'm am curious about seeing this place in the spring and fall, when the leaves are out and the patio is open. Al hopes to get the Piano Bar open again. We didn't get to see the basement club, but he described as something like an old speak easy, that you can't even find anymore, unless maybe in Europe. Hmm? Now that got me curious. We'll have to go back!
New Braunfels, Texas Don and I just returned from an 8 day road trip and our first night was spent at the Faust Hotel. Our west Texas trip included Big Bend National Park, a day trip to Mexico, some great music venues and lots of curious dining, but our main goal was to experience some unusual and even challenging overnights! The Building There's nothing overly grand about the hotel which opened in 1929, just 2 weeks before the stock market crashed. But this sturdy looking hotel with the Spanish revival façade, managed to stay strong throughout the depression. During WWII, the hotel became known as the Honeymoon Capital of Texas. Evidently a large number of soldiers from nearby bases brought their brides here, before shipping off to war. Entrance The entrance is on the left and there's no bellhop or doorman. There is a circle drive, but no elegant covering or staircase. The windows have a bit of an institutional look with their less than lovely air conditioner units... but there are some wonderful details to the building. Closer Look You have to take a moment to enjoy the details! I love the carved stone above both doors. Lions and a Fountain I'm a sucker for any kind of lion and the two by the door had sweet faces. I love fountains, too. Maybe in warmer months the fountain has water. I really wanted to hear that thing gurgle! I'm sure when the trees have leaves and the weather is warmer, the chairs on the patio must be very pleasant. Lobby I like a lobby that is welcoming and not too dark. There was a lot of dark wood, but plenty of window light. I loved all the antiques like the old cash register and pretty amazing light fixtures. But the desk staff was fairly young, which meant there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm when I asked about hotel history. "Well, I don't really believe in ghosts." Said the young woman who assumed I was asking about the hotel's haunted history. More Details I was impressed by the designs on the tile floor. The stairs leading up to rooms also had some unique tile work. We were happy to have the attractive stairs as an option when we returned from dinner and noticed an elevator repair truck. We could have had a very memorable hotel experience if we'd been caught in the elevator! I read up on a little ghost history at the Faust and there have been a number of ghost sightings that involved the elevator. Very creepy... and fun. Phone Booth I've got a thing about old phones, so I loved discovering this old phone booth next to the stairway. It was just a replica phone, but the sliding door and wood walls looked original. Halls and Doors When I walked down the hall of the second floor I was eerily reminded of my great Aunt Ruth's retirement apartment building years ago. I half expected to see some potted African violets on the windowsill. The thin carpet had a wrinkle or two and there were no fancy light fixtures. But sometimes I have to appreciate the authentic. I did like the door, though! You have to love the shuttered area that once allowed air to circulate. On the inside of the door, the slats were covered by a mirror, which was good I guess. That would have been a bit odd. Our Tiny Home Away From Home We stayed in Room 219, which is one of their European Rooms. That is a fancy way to say The Cheapest. The satiny bedspread clashed a bit with the busy carpet design, but the bathroom tile made me smile. Just like my grandma, Daw's house! There was a high step up to the bathroom, which could prove tricky for folks who take trips in the middle of the night. The little corner sink was pretty darn cute. In fact the size of the bathroom was cute...kind of like a bathroom on a train! And speaking of trains, there were tracks nearby. They do give you earplugs if needed. But the ceiling fan and the handy dandy window unit fan, did the trick for us! Breakfast Our night's stay included a breakfast which was nice. We had the usual continental options along with some breakfast burritos wrapped in foil. The area itself was pleasant and gave us time to take in some more details, painted trim and sconces and old doors with stained glass. Faust Brewing Company I should mention, there is a pub in the back of the building. It was added a few years ago in an area that had once been a courtyard. Since the town of New Braunfels is known for it's German heritage and culture, it makes sense for the historic hotel to have a brew pub on site. We did stop in for a beer and free popcorn, but didn't sample their menu. What's Notable? If only we had had a ghost encounter! I would love to report that. But what will we remember about the room and the hotel itself? I would say the most notable thing about our room, was the comical size. There were some funny moments trying to climb over our bags and each other. As for the hotel, the building details were impressive, but we had no people encounters at all, to make us bond with the place. Perhaps the most notable part of our stay was the location and being able to walk to numerous places. Naegelin's Bakery (1868) was just across the street and The Phoenix Saloon had great atmosphere, food and music. We definitely enjoyed our one night stay and our location helped us explore the town that we've always been curious about. But if we ever returned I would pay more and have an upgraded room.
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
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