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Dixie? I do love a vintage motel! I adore a cool vintage sign! I'm less excited about things named Dixie. But I made an exception here.  I'm not just being woke. There are a few reasons I don't embrace the word, but mostly it's because I was teased for being a Yankee, when I moved south at age 10. Teased by kids who liked to belt out "Dixie"! Dixie Motel from 1951 I booked a night at Dixie Motel, after learning about its history. The old motor court motel opened 73 years ago. I was excited when I laid eyes on the faded sign, last March.  The history of the Dixie name, goes even further back than the fifties. Before the motel, Dixie Chicken Farms & Hatchery was located here. Near (or in) Brenham, Texas This 1950's postcard, tells us the motel is located "one mile west of Brenham".  On the back of the card, printed words describe the motel as a "Home of the Traveling Public". Funny how the roadside "home" appears to sit all alone, right next to Highway 290. In Town On a drizzly day last March, Don and I followed Google Maps down Main Street, (US 290) through Brenham. Just 60 miles from our home.
The motel is now IN town. Barely. We spotted the old sign just on the outskirts of town. We turned left on Drumm Road, into a neighborhood of small houses. The Property It was amusing to realize all the houses grew up around the motel.  The recently renovated buildings now sit on a tidy gravel drive. The porches look towards the modest neighborhood homes. Behind the motel, there's a 2-acre field of trees. Mr. Drumm and Chickens When we turned onto Drumm Street near the sign, I didn't realize Drumm was the name of the man who built the motel in 1951  Long before the motel, Jack Drumm started up a poultry and hatchery business, on this property. The photo above is from 1930, when he filled a plane with 8,000 baby chicks headed for Mexico City. Motel Adventure with Friends! I've written up a lot of MOTEL adventures, in the 90-Nights blog. Don and I have experienced some curious and some creepy motels. Ordinarily we wouldn't have felt comfortable inviting anyone to join us, for an overnight at a poultry farm/motel, tucked into a small-town, Texas neighborhood.  However, our friends Lorrie and John were game, for a couple reasons. First of all, we 4 had a wedding to attend nearby. More importantly, we'd all read excellent reviews. We met for lunch in Brenham and headed out a mile to the motel! No Vacancy As we headed towards the office, I spotted the NO Vacancy sign. I was glad we'd booked 2 of the 8 rooms, months earlier! I was especially excited to meet the owners Karl and Sarah. I'd read up and knew they purchased the worn out property in 2014.  Since then, they've thrown themselves into redesigning the Dixie Motel. In Progress The other thing that I was incredibly enthused about, was seeing the old building in back. It's still in the process of being renovated.  Actually reinvented is the word the owners use. They have kept the original floor plans, but gutted and improved in numerous ways.  How often do you get to stand back and enjoy the before/after images? I usually do that with photos. I was so afraid when I booked months earlier that they would move too quickly and I'd miss seeing the oldie. No worries! Sarah and Karl I'm so pleased we were able to meet both Sarah and Karl and hear some of the stories about about their 10-year project.  Both have a great affection for motels. They were married in a motel near Big Bend National Park. Music and Antiques Sarah is the one responsible for the large album collection, found in the lobby and guest rooms.
Sarah also knows her antiques and vintage furniture. She is connected to the nearby Round Top Antiques Fair. Since opening the motel 3 years ago, the rooms have booked quickly around the fall and spring antique fairs. Questions for Karl Karl was wonderful, answering my endless questions. I wanted to know what that funny little covered space was, near the office door.  I peeked in earlier and noticed the window, opening to the office. Previous Owners Karl explained in the kindest way, how the motel was in disrepair when they purchased from Mrs. Patel, a decade ago. She and her husband raised their daughters, while living (in) and running the motel.  Mrs.Patel was widowed and running the motel by herself when they purchased in 2014. Karl suggested the window could have been a safer way to receive payment from guests. He spoke sympathetically of how Mrs. Patel had struggled to deal with long term guests who didn't pay rent. There was good reason she had no time to keep up with repairs. Hints of the Past I loved that the old room keys were still sitting there, in the key boxes.
I think Karl said the buzzer system was installed to alert guests about phone messages. Maybe I got that wrong.  I wonder if there were actually 20 rooms back in the day? Around Back Karl took us through a breezeway to the back of the property, where we could see picnic tables and a fire pit. We also could see the sweet old building, awaiting renovation.  The sight of an empty building might be too eerie for some. I find it just fascinating and it was one of the reasons I wanted to book a night.  There's good reason it's taking so many years to get all the structures rebuilt. Karl (who happens to be an engineer) has taken on much of the rebuilding tasks himself, from electrical work to furniture building... with repurposed wood! Outside Area The weather was not ideal and we had limited time, or we could have enjoyed some of the outside seating.  I should have asked about all the green space, past the buildings. I assume this open land was part the original poultry business property. Mini Billboards Karl pointed out the yellow metal sign, on the fence.  He said a few signs have surfaced over the years. They used to be attached to fences along the roads. I wonder if they used to have a number painted in the space, before the word Miles? Breakfast Room Karl showed us the recently enlarged Breakfast Room, where we would come the next morning for a continental breakfast.
He pointed out the Starbucks Iced Coffee and the Topo Chico Ranch Water. There were 2 beer options. Mama Tried and Killin Time. Too bad we had so little time! Dixie Water Before heading to our room, we passed a filtered water dispenser in the breezeway.  We were each gifted a metal water bottle, with a picture of the iconic motel sign. How fun is that? Room 2 We had about an hour to get ready for the wedding.  No time to sit on our little porch with a couple of Ranch Waters, Old "Porch" As you can see, the old "porches" were different. Karl and Sarah have made some positive changes.  They kept the floor plan, but changed the "porch" and roof covering. Comfy Queen Room Roadside motels in the fifties were usually on the small side. The width didn't allow for much more than our queen bed and soft chair. There was enough wall space for 3 framed nice photographs, showing images of the Texas Big Bend area.  The cozy and spotless room really had all we needed. I got the lamp and Don got the chair and ottoman. The chair actually had its own little swag lamp! Nice vintage touch! Stuff! We had a lot of goodies that guests didn't have in 1951. We had a 50-inch flatscreen and a garment steamer in the closet.  There was a retro mini fridge with organic whole milk.  We had a tea kettle and a set-up for pour over coffee. Bathroom The bathroom was as small as the original, but the new version made the absolute best use of space!  The shower was tiny, but lovely.
We didn't have any colorful shower tiles... but I found this classic look inside the old building! Music in the Room I provided a little background music to entertain us, while we got dressed for the wedding.  Each room had a portable record player and a case of LPs! I grabbed a couple of my old favorites, Loggins & Messina and Harry Chapin! Coffee and Reading I didn't have time until the next morning to use the bed tray for reading.
There was an article in the Texas Highways magazine, that featured Dixie Motel! Posing Time We posed for photos before heading off.
The photo of Don and me, shows off the raked gravel, as well as the much improved roof! It wasn't raining at that moment, but we would have stayed dry if it had been! Late The little motel looked so inviting when we returned late that night.  Wind was blowing and skies were eerie, but the rain held off until I had a good visit to the back of the property! Appreciation of Old I look back now and wish the 4 of us had stayed up a little later and sat under the strings of lights.  We could have enjoyed a beverage from the Breakfast Room fridge and admired the 73-year-old building, in its weathered state.  I can't begin to say how much I appreciated the spotlights on (and in) this curious old structure.  It was hard to imagine these rooms with shag carpet! I wonder what was easier to remove, the carpet or layers of wallpaper and paint. How fun to discover the yellow letters on the wood!  I stepped inside just long enough to snap two photos. It was surprising how clean the space was. I'm sure it would have been less pleasant standing in one of the rooms before they were gutted. Morning It stormed all night and we had a fresh morning with sun!
We made a little coffee in the room before heading to breakfast. Blue Skies It was fun to see the motel on a sunny morning!      It was almost warm enough to eat outside. Country Breakfast As we stepped inside, my thoughts went back to the chicken farm days. A homey rustic table, was set up with breads and fruit and a bowl of eggs.  I believe this is one of the tables made by Karl. Fresh O.J. It was fun making our own o.j. for breakfast.  I forget how many oranges it takes to make a cup! Old Fridge I wonder how far back this Deluxe fridge goes? Don grabbed a yogurt.  I could definitely picture Mr Drumm having one of these on his chicken farm in the '40s or '50s. Time to Eat We had the breakfast room, with its wagon wheel fixture, all to ourselves.  John humored me by following my suggestion to tuck his napkin into his shirt. Farmer style? I can't remember what that was about.  I enjoyed my little meal of English muffin, egg and granola with fruit. Just the right amount, before we had to hit the road. What's Notable? Our stay at the renovated Dixie Motel was unique. It wasn't a muliti-million-dollar mega hotel renovation. It wasn't a Mom & Pop slap on some new paint B&B project. We stayed at a vintage motel with a fun history, remodeled by a smart, creative and hardworking couple. And I so appreciate meeting our hosts, in this day of contactless hotels and rentals!  I will remember enjoying our comfortable stay, but I've made it clear how much I loved the old building in back! I can't thank Karl and Sarah enough for taking on this little corner of history in Texas! And allowing guests to peek at the progress, made me truly appreciate the work that goes into preservation.
I hope Mrs. Patel can come back and enjoy being a guest sometime! I'm sure she'd have some stories to tell!
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A Night in Napa Most visit Napa to sample the wine.  Don and I visited for one night last winter. I was more excited about the hotel than the wine. Rain! It was dark and rainy, when we arrived last January. The wind was whipping us to pieces as we unloaded. The flags in my photo don't exactly show that... since I took the pics much later.  Don was ready to be done with the car, after hours of driving on winding, wet roads. Location Napa River Inn, had an ideal location. Perfect, unless you want to be in a charming inn, overlooking vineyards. Which I would love, on another day!  But it was a good time of year to stay right in the heart of the old downtown Riverfront District. The property backed right up to the Napa River! Historic Napa Mill I love a hotel building with a good history. Numerous buildings make up Napa River Inn. The oldest (1884) was used by Captain Albert Hatt, who ran a shipping and merchant business.  The photo above shows 2 parts of the historic building, with 3 sets of green doors. I love the old brick! Made from Napa River clay. Hatt Building 1884 The doors on far left, opened to the lobby. The 140-year-old-Hatt Building, once held offices and mercantile retail, that arrived by riverboat. The second floor held a grand rollerskating rink, used for fun and social affairs until 1930.
The doors on far right, opened to a stairway, which led to the upper level of of a structure built in 1886. This building provided more warehouse space for wine and spirits. Today, the upper floor holds some of the hotel's most luxurious rooms, that I can only dream of affording. Sweetie Pies The first floor space of the 1886 section, holds Sweetie Pies Bakery.  We had a wonderful breakfast there in the morning! Later,I learned something eerie about the space being these old doors... Napa Milling Company Behind the Hatt Buildings, we found the "newer" part of the historic complex. In 1912, the Hatt/Mill was sold to Robert Keig, who removed some buildings and added others. The grain silos came a little later.  The Keig Family operated the mill until it closed in 1973. Today there's a beautiful mosaic fountain at the base of one. I have no idea what's inside! Early Check In Dark skies made it seem later than 2:30 pm, when we arrived. We kept fingers crossed that our room might be available early.  The cafe tables looked damp but still inviting. Iron Shutters I peeked into the lobby, through a pretty narrow window.  Those heavy green shutters looked like they were designed for a fortress! Welcome to Napa River Inn Don and I approached the doors and wondered if Kona and Lucky had arrived. We saw the greeting near the tiny dog house and water dispenser.  Before we reached the welcome mat, a very friendly young bellman named Rhett, opened the doors. Lobby Rhett took our bags, while we checked in. I looked around and admired the Victorian decor, with pink settee and chandelier.  I doubt this useful space held fancy things, 140 years ago. Deluxe remodels always make it hard to determine what was original. Maybe those red columns? Warm and Formal I was drawn to the warm fire first, then to the framed photos and articles displayed on the walls.  Besides old photos and prints of Napa and the mill, there were a few memorabilia items on display. Feed Sacs These burlap sacs were used in the 20th century, by Napa Milling Company. They likely held feed for farm animals.  These sacs reminded me of the flour sacs, that my family still owns. Ours came from my great great-grandfather's Meyer Milling Company, in Springfield, Missouri. Family Businesses Captain Hatt (in gold frame) sailed the seas for many years before settling in with his family in Napa.
The photo of my dad's bearded great-grandfather, looks similar to the Captain with his mustache. Both were prosperous men, in the late 1800s. Both had sons involved in the mill business. Albert Hatt Jr. There was also a photo of Albert Hatt, Jr. on display in the lobby. After reading more history, I was sad as I studied his face in my photo. When was the photo was taken? After his mother died in 1906?  He was a widower and father of 5, when he took over the mill for his father. I read that he tried hard to please his father and support his family. Eventually health issues and business troubles became too much. In 1912, he took his own life at the age of 46. Sad Usually my Notable Night write ups are about the fun and funny things I notice or experience.  I'm guessing most guests at Napa River Inn aren't focused on the history of the Hatt building or the sad stories of the Hatt family. I could have left this out. But I only have more appreciation for the preservation of this complex and the stories as well. Historic Building It was pouring (unlike photo) when Rhett gave us umbrellas and rolled our luggage cart to The Plaza building.  I hated knowing we weren't staying in one of the historic buildings. This building is mostly (if not all) new. It was constructed where one of the original warehouses had been. I convinced myself I we were staying "in" an old warehouse, when I spotted old brick in the lower portion.  We had a bonus with our new-ish hotel building. It was located towards the back, near the river... and there was a very delightful octopus resting nearby on the plaza! Cozy Room 223 The elevator and hall felt a little like Holiday Inn Express. But our long and narrow room was a piece of heaven.  Before taxes our room was around $250. That's a cheap as you can get at Napa River Inn. We were happy to afford a stay at all. Rhett Butler Rhett was chatty and gracious as he put our bags on luggage stands and introduced us to our room. I asked about his name and he was indeed named for the character in Gone with the Wind.  Rhett showed us how to work the heat and TV. (not always obvious!) And we chatted more about names. He laughed about how his parents loved names. He had more than 3 and they didn't always fit on forms. And he had a sister who also had a movie character name. Yes... Scarlet. Balcony Rhett was very excited to open our balcony door and show us the courtyard below. The dark rainy day meant we could see the illuminated arches over the walkway, "It's the most photographed scene in Napa." He explained.
Looking left from our metal balcony, I could see 2 silos! A silo view! The shiny green roof belonged to Celadon, one of hotel's restaurants. Rhett described all the dining options, but said Celadon was his favorite. Rhett From Napa Rhett pointed out the Kuerig coffee maker and offered to get ice for our bucket. I commented on the 3 beautiful vineyard photographs. When we found out Rhett was raised in Napa, Don laughed and said, "You probably know a lot more about wine than us."
Rhett smiled and claimed he didn't, but he would before long, since he was turning 21 soon. I'll bet Rhett makes his parents proud. What a nice guy. We saw him about 5 more times that day, when we were wandering about. Luxury On a rainy afternoon I was tempted to fill the tub with some of their lovely bath products. The Chardonnay lotion was heavenly!  I could have curled up in a robe and read a book while the rain poured down on the metal roof. But, we had 2 sturdy hotel umbrellas and I was too excited to wander. River Bend Performance Plaza This soggy view from a window near the elevator, might be a gloomy disappointment to some.  But ignorance is bliss! I've never seen this patio area alive with wine- drinking diners and music and sunshine, so I hardly knew what I was missing. Rainy Walkway It was fun to walk around with a big umbrella and take in the scenery without crowds of tourists.  In this view of the walkway, you can see our balcony on the left. Dinner? Don and I checked out our dinner options while we wandered. Celadon's dining patio was just inside the massive iron doors.
We studied the menu a little further down. "Global comfort food... Local's favorite..." The Fink! Rhett wasn't 21, but he knew about the newly opened cocktail parlor!  He'd heard good things about it, so we gave it a try.
It seems kind of silly to drink cocktails in Napa. But we did and we enjoyed out Distinct Cocktails! Angele Restaurant We wandered down near the river earlier and made dinner reservations in this sweet yellow building. The concrete building looked mid-century modern at a glance.
The 1-story building was actually constructed by Captain Hatt in 1893, with an accompanying wharf.
Today, Instead of storing agricultural chemicals, the building stores ingredients for their French menu, until guests order wonderful foods like Mussels and Boeuf Bourguignon! Perfect! Wandering Post Dinner It didn't take long to get used to the idea that we needed coats and umbrellas to wander. The kid in me enjoys an umbrella, so it was fun.
We wandered after dinner and the plaza looked festive with the illuminated octopus. The courtyard walkway was glowing with wet reflections! Last View Before turning in, I had to have one last peek at the lit up courtyard.
The sound of rain lulled us to sleep! Morning There were hints of blue when we woke the next day. We showered and headed to Sweetie Pies.  We used both our 10-dollar vouchers, given to hotel guests. It was cozy and warm and sweet smelling inside the bakery.
I ordered the egg sandwich with fruit. Don loved his huge apple & almond pastry, beneath a photo of Brandi Carlile. Hearts for A Hatt Jr. I guess I'm glad I didn't know about Albert Hatt Jr. that morning, when we had our freshly baked breakfast. It was within this space, that the Captain's son was found after he'd hung himself from a beam.  I guess that's rude of me to even share this in a blog. But when I see these photos drenched in Valentine hearts... I like to think they were for him. Alan Shepp's Mosaic Fountain After breakfast, Don and I explored without umbrellas. The mosaics near the silo, were amazing.
It's hard to see in my photo, but there was water, cascading over the edge of this colorful fountain. It's easier to spot the mosaic river, spilling onto the pavement.  The mosaic scenes of the Napa area, were entertaining! Vineyards and river scenes. A beaver, train and a farmer... Good-bye River Don and I took a stroll down by the river. After a few days of rain the water was high and fast.
We headed back to our Plaza room and packed up. Off by 10:30 The sun was peeking out by the time our car crossed the bridge.  I could look back and see the hotel and silos. As we headed out of town, I grinned to see one more glimpse. The old mill was standing tall, over the nose of a Nappa Valley Wine Train.  It suddenly amused me that we spent the night in Napa, without a spotlight on wine. Sinful! We'll return. What's Notable? I've talked endlessly about the history of the buildings that make up Napa River Inn. I love that. Most guests don't come for that. I will always remember what I learned about the Hatt Family.  I'll always fondly remember our cozy stay, on a rainy January night. For some reason, the umbrellas and wet jackets added a fun sense of adventure. I'm all for exciting mega hotels (think cruise ship or Vegas) where all the shops and restaurants can be reached without stepping outside. But this collection of buildings and walkways felt like a hotel village. I enjoyed our little brick village, by the river!
Little House on the Coast It was a damp January day, when Don and I pulled up to this ivy-covered house in Mendocino County.  The day looked gloomy, but I couldn't have been more delighted to lay eyes on the curious house that I'd read about! On CA-1 We almost missed the turn, while winding south on the 2-lane highway.  The trees obscured our view of the property, perched high above the coast. I hollered, "Here!!" just in time. Don turned right and we could see the sweet yellow house right away. Dennen's Heritage House This New England style farmhouse was 72 years old, when Lauren (Don) and Hazel Dennen bought the property, in 1949.  Initially they opened it as more of a country inn, with a few guest rooms upstairs. Don worked on the property and Hazel cooked for guests. Eventually it was a sprawling resort on 37-acres. By 1960s The Dennens had lots of room to expand on their property. By 1963, the little resort was described as a quiet country inn. The restaurant was popular enough to be featured in the Ford Treasury Cookbook. This is the illustration that accompanied a recipe for pancakes.  The words below the image mention a history with smugglers! I believe this may have been during prohibition, before the Dennens owned the property. Since 1877 As we moved towards the house, I noticed the reminder above the red door. "Built in 1877 AD" (love the AD)  The carpenter who actually built this farmhouse for the first owner, was John Dennen. J Dennen was Don's grandfather. So there's good reason for the pride behind that date. Hazel's Bell To the left of the door, I noticed a bell, standing on a twisty arrangement of bricks.  Words on the plaque read, "Founder Hazel Dennen rang this bell to signify the start of the dinner hour at 5:00 every day" "Lobby" We stepped inside the yellow house and found the registration desk and some freshly baked cookies.  There were a few chairs and pieces of art. I asked Nancy at the desk, if the fireplace was original. She said that wall of the lobby, was actually an addition. Heritage House is all about additions!  I took a look at some of the framed photos and art, displayed on the mantel. It became clear, the Dennens of my cookbook, no longer have the spotlight. The Dennen family ownership ended in 1998. Alan Alda & Ellen Burstyn It's been 46 years, since these familiar faces filmed scenes on this property. There's still a spotlight on these 2 stars who spent a good deal of time here, filming in 1978.  I remember seeing the movie "Same Time, Next Year" when I was a college student, in '78. Alan and Ellen played characters, who had an affair spanning 25 years. Funny that I don't remember audiences really frowning at the morality of this. Maybe they did?  The movie story begins in 1952, when the characters meet at the cozy resort on the Pacific. After hitting it off, they meet once a year, staying in one of the inn's cottages, overlooking the ocean. The front Dennen's farmhouse is only shown briefly in the movie. An interior restaurant scene, exterior cottage scenes and stunning Pacific views, were all captured at Heritage House. The Sprawling Grounds This watercolor image was also displayed above the mantel.  It gives an idea of how much the Dennen's resort expanded over the years.  Both my photo and the painting, show the sprawling additions on the hill, Numerous cottages overlooking the water are out of view. Behind the House All the yellow structures were gradually added, behind the house.  The same barn that is shown in the cookbook illustration, is the tallest building in this photo. Endless Space The entrance to that collection of additions, (within yellow buildings) was to the left of the reception desk. Don and I explored the curious area... sort of a maze of common areas.  When did the Dennens begin expanding so dramatically? All the windows in the distance made me feel like I was looking towards dressing room mirrors. Infinity mirrors! Skylight My eyes were drawn to the painted dome in the center of the room. New owners (after the Dennens) decided to close up the skylight. The circular dome played tricks on my eyes. It is not tilting or oval shaped, like my photo.  I wanted to see the place filled with guests, in the 1970s maybe. How did this room look on a sunny day? Pacific View Don and I wandered past the couch and piano and looked into a couple dining/sitting areas. So many windows! I tried to imagine the spectacular view at sunset, without clouds.  The wind was howling outside and whistling through some of the windows.  We stepped to a different level and took in another view. There were stools and chessboard tables. Were there games somewhere? I craved a fireplace and a book.  I felt a blast of damp air, when I opened the door to the deck. Again, I tried to imagine it not being January. 5200 Lounge and Restaurant At the end of the maze, we found the lounge and restaurant, named for the inn's address on Hwy 1. I peeked through the glass window, looking into the locked lounge.  I imagined the bar hopping with guests 50+ years ago. I'd read that Don Dennen often tended bar. Sometimes he allowed guests to make their own drinks, when he needed to wait on tables. The Dining Room Nancy left the front desk for a bit and let us go in and have a peek at the closed dining room. It was frustrating being there on a night when it was closed.  But what fun to see the fireplace that's shown in one of the movie scenes.  The fireplace looks a lot larger in the movie pic, but it's the same one. Odd how angles and perspective can change things! Chatting with Nancy Nancy couldn't have been a better host. She was so appreciative of the Heritage House history. Nancy started working at the resort 3 years ago, but her memories go back to her childhood. Her dad worked on landscaping at the resort and she often came along with him to the property.
I showed Nancy the old cookbook and the illustration. She's not old enough to be as amused as me by a quirky 61 year old cookbook. But she was intrigued with the vintage image and recipes. I didn't exactly explain that we actually chose this hotel, because we found it in the cookbook! More Wandering Nancy pointed us toward a couple halls and told us to be sure to check out the displays of art and antiques.  I was lost in the maze of additions. I kind of think the art hall, was within part of the old barn. Could be wrong! The Collections The Dennens were big collectors. Initially they furnished the rooms with antiques they collected.  Don and Hazel passed away in the '80's and their daughter eventually sold in 1998. New owners took over and made high dollar changes, creating a more ritzy resort, with less cozy charm. The Dennen's name was obviously removed and so were the treasures. Luckily some have returned to display cases in recent years. Finding Our Room Our off-season stay didn't offer perfect weather, but we did get an upgraded room.  We took a walkway near Hazel's bell. I chuckled as we passed by this brick walkway that went beneath an addition or two. I don't know why this assemblage of buildings just intrigued me so!  Such a crazy mix of styles and shapes! Some connected and some not. My arrow actually points more to our neighbor's glass door. But it gives an idea of where we were. Room 8 I would have loved a room in the original house. The older the funner, for me!
But when we stepped inside our (maybe 1970's) vintage cottage, I was happy to stay put! Perfect Retreat Our room for $235. was a bargain, even in winter.  Suddenly I didn't care about the gloomy weather. We had a gas fireplace that made the room cozy right away!  And we had glass doors, looking out towards the ocean.  We had a cloud-like king bed, even though we'd booked the cheapest room... with a queen.  And we actually had a phone and TV. The Dennens provided luxurious rooms, but they kept phones and TVs out. A huge number of their guests returned often and liked it that way. "Kitchen" Since we knew the restaurant would be closed, we brought our own food for dinner.  It was nice having the fridge and microwave and Nespresso machine. Also nice to close the cabinet doors and not look at it! Better Than Photo All these photos fail to capture the comfortable, classy feel of our room. The bathroom especially, was much nicer than the photo.  You can't see the generous size, or the impressive rainfall shower. You can't see the skylight, or feel the heated slate floors. See the Sea In this photo, you can see (barely) that we did indeed have an ocean view.  We could have gotten a Premier Ocean View Room for $700. but this was just fine!
Rain was predicted, so I made use of one of the Adirondack chairs, for a little bit. Wandering the Property Don and I were able to get out and wander the grounds before the storms.  There was no swimming pool on the grounds, but there were winding paths along the edge of the cliff... with crashing waves below! Much better! It was January, but we still saw some flowers.
I can only imagine what the grounds look like in the spring and summer. Same Time Next Year Cottage Nancy gave us a map, which helped. We were able to spot the cottage from the movie.  It looked a little different. The wood shingle siding is painted now. No shutters.  There also were no cars parked nearby! So we snooped around a bit.  The cottage is actually divided now. You can rent the "Same Time" room or the "Next Year" room. Both have a nice view. Slideshow On our walk, we discovered a gazebo and a gravestone, with both Dennen's names. "May the sea be your shelter" Nancy told us later that it was only a memorial. I believe their ashes were scattered in the Pacific. Settling In We returned to our room before the rains began.  Don made drinks and we watched the skies until it was too dark. We ate some amazing and sloppy sandwiches and chili, from a cute shop in Ft. Bragg.
Then I put on a plush robe and popped open my dessert! An ice cold bottle of Saranac 1888 Shirley Temple Pop! Well it wasn't so tasty. But it was fun and I didn't spill on my robe! Rain and Rain The rains howled all night. The sound was extra dramatic on the bathroom skylight. The sweet hum of the ceiling fan helped me sleep well.  I couldn't sleep past 6. It was so cozy with the rain, I made Nespresso and curled up on one of those white marshmallow chairs! Breakfast Buffet At 8, we took umbrellas and wandered up to the yellow house for complimentary breakfast. I took the old cookbook, in case anyone cared.  No other guests joined us for breakfast. Only a handful of the nearly 50 rooms/cottages had guests. They must have been sleeping in. Heritage House Hotcakes! As soon as we arrived, Louis appeared from the kitchen and greeted. As if awaiting our arrival, the heated dishes filled with eggs, potatoes and yes... pancakes!
We shared the book with Louis and later met the chef and gave him big compliments. I didn't complain that our hotcakes were not served with sour cream! That's an odd addition in the recipe! What a treat to have a delicious, freshly cooked breakfast, while watching rain gush through dozens of windows!
After finishing my coffee, I asked Nancy back in the lobby, if she'd slept at the desk! She laughed and promised no. Then she warned us about the weather. "When the rain and wind hits like this, I expect to hear a lot of sirens on the highway." We thanked her and adjusted our route before heading off! What's Notable? We stayed at a resort that began 75 years ago, with a cute house and hospitable hosts. Even though other owners have changed the look and vibe over the years, the Dennen family would probably like to know, I still felt the cozy charm. The family did own it for almost 50 of those years, after all!  The original house and its gorgeous setting, gave me the nostalgic country inn feel, that I wanted. The luxurious modern room offered even more comfort than expected. The kind staff, from Nancy to the maintenance guy, (who cut that big limb!) to the folks at breakfast, all made us feel incredibly welcome.
I hope we can return for a stay when the gardens are in full bloom! We'll need to save up for summer rates, though! Meyer Sisters! Last week, my sister and I (along with our spouses) stayed at The MEYER Hotel, in the sweet town of Comfort!
During our stay, Jennifer and I forgot to pose with the hotel sign! (Meyer is our family name!) However, we did stop to pose with another sign, on our drive to Comfort. "Sisterdale, Texas Cotton Gin 1885" We Old Sassy Sisters clearly felt a little ownership over these 2 historic places. We don't date back to the 1880's, but both of these cool places do! Meyer Bed & Breakfast in 2001 I've been eager to stay at this historic property since my daughter and I found it, 22 years ago. It was a B&B then.  In 2002, Heidi and I spent 3 days exploring the Texas Hill Country, in our Dodge van. Our mission was to find a place for our Meyer Family reunion... that would please 20 family members, coming from 6 states! We came upon this historic gem (with the perfect name) and wanted badly to choose it. But the set up wasn't a good fit. March 2024 22 years later, I got my wish to spend a night at the "Meyer Hotel Complex".  New buildings have been added to the 33-acre property, but the historic Meyer residence and hotel building, looked just how I remembered! Office No need to stop at the office anymore, since there is contactless check-in. Some folks love getting a text and using a code. Not me. Meeting hosts and asking questions, is part of the adventure for me!  But the office door was open wide, when we arrived. I stuck my head in and a gracious employee let me peek at the old photos on the wall. The Old Homestead In the morning the same friendly woman (with a name I can't recall) was out and about and chatted some more. She allowed us to look inside the Meyer home. The entire Old Homestead can be rented for about $460. a night.  155 years old! I compared the exterior to one of the old photos, displayed in the office. I wonder what happened to the upper windows? Busy Meyer Family The home was built in 1869, by German immigrant, Frederich Christian Meyer and his wife Ernestine. They had 8 kids, so we can assume they are the youngin's in the photo.  Mr. M operated a stage stop for some time. Mrs. M worked as a midwife, in a maternity building, constructed on their property. How did Mrs. M handle all the local ranch women having babies AND tend to her own 8 kiddos?!  I doubt they had much leisure time for porch sitting. Interior It was fun to step inside and imagine the Meyer family living here, one and a half centuries ago!  No bathrooms in 1869, but 2 now! This would be a fun stay in the future, for a few more bucks! In Back I wonder if the Meyers ever had to dash into the storm cellar? Maybe it was just used for storing jars of jam, or canned tomatoes.  I peeked down the stairs and it seemed to be set up as a work shop. 1887 Hotel In 1887, the railroad came to Comfort! The Meyers figured, Why not build a 2-story wood frame hotel building, to house travelers?  They built the inn behind their home and housed guests upstairs. The downstairs held the kitchen and dining room. The 8 Meyer kids ended up helping Mrs. M run the place, after Mr. M passed away. "Gast Haus" In the original hotel, (called Gast Haus) there are only 2 guest rooms. I was determined to book them. Easier said than done. The website didn't give complete info and some recent changes in ownership, led to a bit of confusion about availability.  It took a number of phone calls to nail down the 2 rooms in the old hotel. On the Veranda Cheers for the Gast Haus and cheers for all hotels with porches!  Jennifer and I did another fine pose, on the front porch... or should I say veranda?  We should have dressed up for our porch pic, like the ladies in white! Entrance We arrived around 4 and entered the door between the 2 signs.  One sign for the hotel and another for the newly acquired restaurant, "Food For the Soul Bistro". As the door opened, we were met with sounds and smells of a busy kitchen.
We passed the kitchen door (open at the time) and waved to staff. Then we passed a pair of portraits. Mrs. and Mr. Meyer? They didn't look as friendly as the people in the kitchen. The Dining Room When Heidi and I visited years ago. I remember spotting the MEYER sign, hanging in the quaint dining room.  I remember the wispy branches and lots of antiques and doodads. As we 4 headed up the stairs to our rooms, I looked down and fretted. "Why does that sign say HOTEL, not MEYER?"  But the space looked much fresher and more spacious than before. Porch Stop Before heading into our rooms, we stepped out to the front porch.  There were no chairs on the east end, but there was a good view of another historic building. Julia Ellenberger House This additional guest house was added in 1900.  It was named for Julia Meyer Ellenberger, one of the 8 kids. Julia operated the inn until her death in 1956. There were only 2 rockers on the long porch. Jennifer and I rocked a moment.  With no leaves on the trees, we had a decent view of the property and the pool area.  We also had a close up view of a rusty old pulley. For lifting furniture? The East Side Don and I had the King Room, on the east side of the second floor.  There was access to a screened porch in back and an extra space for a couple of kids... if we'd had any with us!  We didn't exactly need the trundle bed. I'm so curious how this upstairs space was broken down, for guests in the 1800s.  The bed was quite comfy and it was a treat being surrounded by 6 tall windows! However a none opened and a couple had no coverings. Fresh Air We could easily open the door to the screened porch to let in some fresh air. There was a ceiling fan and a standing fan and an a.c. unit, if needed. It wasn't quite chilly enough to need the gas stove.  It was handy having a fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. It was less handy having the sink about a mile from the bathroom. I did appreciate having ample counter space near the sink.  The bathroom wasn't exactly luxurious, but we had one!  We had a tub and toilet and towels, which is more than the guests had in 1889! Bathroom Addition I have no clue when the hotel first got plumbing.  But you can clearly tell the bathroom came later. The addition in the center sort of cracks me up! It looks like a floating outhouse! The Screened Porch! In this photo, you can tell there have been a number of additions to the back of the old hotel.  The red arrow points to our screened porch! Oh how I love porches! If you don't, then scroll on down. I'm gonna talk about this porch! A lot. Old This was no recent addition. You could tell by the worn and sloping floorboards.  That floor space offered up lots of room. A table for games and snacking... and a comfier area, for chatting and reading. A rocking chair, too! I first learned to appreciate screened porches at my grandmother's house.  Daw's porch was about half this size, but it had similar wicker furniture. As a little kid, I remember pressing my nose against the screen and inhaling the funny smell. (Not this time!) When I was a little older I did puzzles and played Scrabble on Daw's porch.
 The porch was heavenly at night, when all was quiet... except frogs and an owl! Morning on the Porch The early sun spotlighted the slanted bookshelf in the corner. It's hard to capture the comical way the angled ceiling matched the slanted floor. At 7 am, I felt like I'd been drinkin', when I walked across the sloped floor.
This space was likely used as a sleeping porch, before days of air-conditioning. We heard from staff about a local guy who shared memories of living in this building as a kid. This porch had been his bedroom. Come on Out! After the sun rose a bit more, I tapped on the window to hurry Don along. I texted Kate and Jennifer. "Door's unlocked! We're on the porch!"  You have to love this tall skinny window, with 3 parts! Slide up the lower section... slide down the upper one! Clever, but no longer functional. View I haven't even mentioned the view from the porch!  Ahhh...! Green spring lawn, sloping down towards Cypress Creek.  When Jennifer and Kate joined us, they told us about the storm we totally missed durning the night. (loud a.c.unit!) All we could hear in the morning, was a giggling boy on a swing, Wandering the Property The property was even more peaceful the evening before. Jennifer and I wandered into town and returned to enjoy the creek views, around sunset.  I love swings as much as I love porches. There were 4 swings. I briefly tried out the tire swing.  I'm first to admit, I didn't give it my all.  I should have climbed on top and let my big sister give me a mighty sideways push, to get me spinning! No telling how my adult stomach would have reacted. Sunset The clouds had disappeared by sunset, so we were able to view the sinking sun.  If we'd booked our stay a few weeks later, we would have seen lovely green trees. But, they would have blocked the sunset.  If Jennifer and I had traveled with our Nikons, (like we used to) we cold have gotten clearer photos. My cellphone pic only reveals 2 white blobs beneath the sun. 2 sweet longhorns were enjoying the evening! Pool Time? Back in the day, I imagine the Meyers and guests, did all their swimming in Cypress Creek.  We had pool options, but the weather was a little too cool.  Things were getting spiffed up for the season. The new lounge chair cushions still had protective covers. Food at Meyer Hotel Dining at the Meyer Hotel has changed a bit over the years.  I'm not sure if this stove is original, but we found it in the Summer Kitchen.  The screened in area is no longer safe for cooking, but we did find an ice machine and filled our buckets. "Food for the Soul Bistro" A century ago, they served 3 meals a day at the hotel. 2 decades ago, they served a complimentary breakfast at Meyer B&B.  Somewhat recently, a local restaurant moved into Gast Haus to offer dinner, 3 nights a week. They still need to work out a lot of kinks when it comes to communication, but luckily our dining experience was wonderful! Reservation Worries As I said before, cooking smells greeted us when we arrived at 4. I was incredibly relieved to know the restaurant really would be open that night.  Days before, I had struggled to get information and make reservations. When I finally did reach someone, I still couldn't get firm answers about what might be served or what the cost would be. I'm all for laid back and casual approaches, but this seemed a little un-pro. Tiny Bar I kept fingers crossed, since Comfort is small with few other dining options on a Thursday. On the day we arrived wandered downstairs around 5. In a tiny bar just off the dining room, I met restaurant owner, Kathy. She was sitting beneath the stuffed boar's head, touching up her make up.  Kathy was warm and welcoming. She told me the chef would be serving Special Meatloaf and Tucson Chicken and we could arrive anytime between 6 and 8.  We arrived around 7:30 and all tables were available. When we spotted the MEYER sign (which had been hiding behind the HOTEL sign) we sat right beneath it! Our Feast! With just 2 dinner options, it didn't take long to decide. Luckily both sounded wonderful. All came with a trip to the salad bar, set up in the sunroom.  Kate and I went for the Tuscan Chicken, with mushrooms, potatoes and beans. Chef Derrick Jennifer and Don went for the Special Meatloaf, with beans, mashed potatoes and a very yummy gravy.  We enjoyed chatting with Kathy here and there... and Brandon who took our photo! We especially enjoyed meeting Chef Derrick. He playfully begged us to steer away from catsup. He gave us a little history about his family meatloaf recipe, served with gravy... not catsup. He was right! The gravy was delicious, as was the entire feast. What a great guy! Good Night I always have to sneak outside and take a night photo or two, when enjoying a Notable Night!  I imagined a warm summer night with more guests, enjoying fire pits and swings and the little gazebo.  As I strolled a bit, I imagined the Meyer family. Did they speak German to each other as they sat on the benches?  I imagined my own Meyer family enjoying this property, during a future family reunion. None of us would speak German... but my great grandparents did.  Then I headed inside and eventually slept well... right through the storm! Comfort The next morning we enjoyed the hotel, then wandered around Comfort. It would be insane to stay in this lovely town and not absorb the history. Photos below give just a glimpse. I added a couple from a previous visit. Ahhh, the curious comfort, of small-town Comfort. It was established about a century before I was born, by German immigrants. They considered themselves Freethinkers and abolitionists. They created a thoughtful town, so very different than any Texas town I've visited. What's Notable? The combined history of the Meyer Hotel and the town of Comfort, is remarkably curious and fascinating. You get to enjoy both, when you stay. But, more than anything, I'll remember the fun of sharing this hotel adventure, with Jennifer and Kate... and of course Don!  The memories that I'll cherish the most are... relaxing on the screened porch, strolling along the creek and watching the sunset, enjoying the delicious meal beneath the Meyer sign and wandering the town.
What a special place! Historic Tallman Hotel From 1895 I love old hotels! I've stayed at dozens, that were built before 1900.  Out of all the nineteenth century hotels Don and I have enjoyed, I think the Tallman Hotel may be the most beautifully renovated. One Night in Upper Lake Last January, we drove 2 hours from Sacramento, to reach this western style hotel. I was pleased to see it looked as lovely as I'd remembered.  We discovered this charming boutique hotel, during a road trip in July 2021. Upper Lake in July 2021 2+ years ago, Don was driving in Northern California and I was searching on my phone for a lunch spot. Suddenly I was intrigued to learn about a little town, that had once been a popular stage stop in the 1880s. We took a detour to Upper Lake.  It was July 2021. The trees were green and skies were blue, but pandemic worries were still in the air. We stopped for lunch at the Tallman Hotel's restaurant and were greeted by friendly mask-wearing staff. We fell in love with the place over lunch and vowed to return. Back Again in 2024 When we returned for an overnight at Tallman, the trees were bare, but the skies were blue again!  The line up of red, blue and white was even prettier than I recalled. The historic red livery barn, the Blue Wing Saloon and the white hotel! Rescued Hotel We found easy parking in front, right beside the boardwalk. (Gotta love small town parking!) The 2-story structure looked so inviting with wrap-around porch below and veranda above!  Lucky for all of us, Bernie and Lynne Butcher rescued this place in 2003. It had been vacant for 40 years. Along with a team of creative folk, the Butchers spent a few years gutting, designing, rebuilding, and constructing additional buildings. They reopened the luxurious hotel in 2006. Comfy Waiting We arrived early, before our room was ready.  No problem, there were comfy wicker chairs overlooking the garden courtyard. Courtyard My porch chair had a nice view of the courtyard and the Blue Wing Saloon, where we enjoyed lunch in 2021.  The yellow chairs were empty and the shades were down to keep the heated porch warm.  It had a very different look in the summer of 2021, with green trees shading the tables. The Tallman Family As we relaxed, I looked up some history about the family behind the historic hotel. Rufus and Mary Ellen Tallman opened the original hotel in 1874.  The Tallman's had over a dozen kids, within 3 decades. Poor Mama, pregnant with her 13th at age 47, in 1893! The New Hotel In 1895 the popular hotel and livery stable burnt to the ground. The kids were already used to pitching in with hotel chores. I'm sure they (including the 2 year old) were put to the test, when a new hotel was built. This time, Rufus constructed a smaller but sturdier hotel, using durable redwood.  This is how it looked in later years, after Rufus and Mary Ellen passed away. Their daughter Winnie (on right in family photo) took over ownership. Winnie and her husband (Hank Riffe) changed the name to Riffe's Hotel. I'm not sure I approve... Winnie's Hotel? In 2024, there were no Model Ts in front of the hotel and no horses in front of the saloon. But much looked as it did during the first decades of the 20th century, when Winnie did most of the cleaning and cooking for all the guests.  Hank spent most of his time running a nearby pool hall. Poor Winnie never had children of her own to help out. I think we should call it Winnie's Hotel! In We Go By 3:00, we'd been on the porch a while. I'd happily soaked up some good info, along with sunshine.  We headed for the second red door, that opened to the hotel office. Kiersten (I believe) got us checked in.
Assistant Manager, Jeremy gave us a little hotel history, when he heard us commenting about the old safe. Corn and Birds Don did most of the talking, while my eyes got busy, taking in my surroundings! I was sort of in love with the corncob lamp. Who else could decorate with a corncob and make it classy? I wondered. The only corncob decor I've ever seen, was in Missouri Ozark gift shops!
Bird prints are always classy. But even without the birds, the arrangement of frames (with earth-colored mats) created its own art, on numerous walls. The Old Rooms The staircase led to the hotel's Veranda Rooms. When I originally called to book, I learned the hotel had 17 rooms, but only 4 were in the original building. The upstairs Veranda Rooms were all booked,  We weren't able to stay in the old building where the Tallman's once greeted guests, but we had a Garden Room waiting! And we were welcome to enjoy the hotel's peaceful parlor. Sophisticated! There a formal feel to the parlor, but not at all stuffy. It felt sophisticated, yet welcoming, with lovely fabrics and antiques... and a French wood bead chandelier!  The meticulous blend of soft earthy tones felt calm and comfy. I'm sure today's interior looks nothing like it did in 1900, but the tall windows and woodwork and even the palm in the corner, fit the turn of the century style. Dining Room We peeked in the dining room, where we would have breakfast the next morning. I pictured the Tallman daughters serving guests.  Black wicker chairs and soft woven table cloths, surrounded by sepia colored, hand-painted walls! You have to love the swirling "umbrella lantern" fixture above!  Don and I had to do a little posing! We put ourselves in the mirror frame above the mantel... covered in treasures... with a sweet marsh bird watching from the wall! Garden Rooms Our room was not in the old hotel, but no worries! We were in one of the 8 garden rooms.  We walked past the yellow chairs towards the yellow buildings. Pool & Ice To the left of the yellow buildings, we found the pool, which was closed for the season. If we'd come as guests 120 years earlier, there would have been no pool. But, we could have enjoyed "taking the healing waters" at the nearby hot springs.
Just past the pool, we found the ice machine, tastefully tucked away behind a tidy wooden door. A century ago, the iceman would have provided! Room 5 Our room was in one of the 4 Lower Garden rooms, at the opposite end from the pool. The pretty yellow buildings were added during the big renovation.  Our little porch overlooked the Blue Wing Saloon and its seasonal container gardens. We could see the metal roof of the old red barn. Old Look, New Feel We knew the quaint buildings were new, but each had the charm of a vintage cottage.
Once we opened the door, we found ourselves in an entryway with pale yellow bead-board walls. There was a handy closet and a just-in-case-umbrella. Nice touch! Cottage Charm It felt like we'd suddenly stepped into an old Victorian cottage, without dust or musty smells. No cobwebs or splinters or faded fabrics. Just charm!  The colors were soothing. Yellow woodwork and beams. Custom made acorn-stamped wallpaper. Pretty fabrics with soft checks and florals.  An armoire held a smallish TV, along with coffee mugs and wine glasses.  I was glad for the comfy sitting area. Yay for not giving us low, itchy-velvet, Victorian chairs. Lamps I always appreciate decent lighting. We had lots of windows and quite a few pretty lamps.
We didn't have a corncob lamp, but the hand painted floor lamp was very impressive. When I switched on the bulb, the birds and designs glowed, on the black shade! Bathroom Light More pretty lamps illuminated the bathroom. This bathroom was worthy of a spotlight, with all the top notch surfaces! The spacious marble vanity, shined. The slick subway tile was glossy-clean!  The soft shower curtain and geometric floor tiles didn't shine, but I loved the look! Peering Through the Door! The bathroom's French doors were pretty, but the sheer curtains allowed light to shine through. That's something I don't love with bathroom designs. Don't turn on the light if I'm sleeping!
All this light should have put our bats to sleep, but their eerie eyes stared at us from the framed print, over the toilet! (Honestly, I loved this creepy, yet whimsical piece of art!) And the French door windows didn't really bother me. I pretty much loved everything about our room! Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tub Lower Garden Rooms come with a back patio AND a custom made teak hot tub. These are drained and cleaned for each guest, which is wonderful... except that it takes 2 hours to heat up.  I knew it wouldn't be hot yet, since our room had just been cleaned. But I pulled back the tub's little "blanket" just to check. Yikes! It was freezing! Cheers to the Tallman Fam! It was a little frustrating having to wait on the tub. We had dinner reservations at 6:30 and we only had one night at the hotel. It was hard to believe the cold tub would ever be warm enough.  But we were excited to relax in our cozy chairs and make a toast to the Tallman Family. Where are they? With 13 kids, there must be some Tallman relatives around somewhere! Dinner at the Saloon We left our room at 6:30 for our 6:30 reservations at Blue Wing Saloon. It was of course dark then, but this daytime photo shows the beautifully reconstructed saloon entrance, from the street.  The original saloon is no longer here, but the Butchers recreated a bold blue version, during the 2003 restoration. Interior This is how the saloon looked in 2021. Without a crowd, you can see the beautiful black walnut bar.  You can also see the staff in masks. It was so nice to be back 2.5 years later, without masks! Monday Blues Night at Blue Wing Don and I were glad to have reservations, since the saloon gets busy on Monday Blues Night. There appeared to be more locals than travelers, enjoying the music. We recognized (from internet photos) the man in the sweater, clapping behind Don. Tallman's owner, Bernie Butcher.
Don and I had the perfect table, not far from the band. The performance was scheduled from 6-8, so we got busy ordering. Soup and salad for me! A seafood special for Don. Music and food and good people watching! Greg Rahn and Band Numerous performers play at Blue Wing, Thursday through Monday. It seemed to be a hopping place on Monday evening, with people mostly our age. I'm guessing most folks appreciated (like we did) the early bird timing on this! They also seemed to be appreciating the band, led by keyboard player Greg Rahn. He and the other skilled musicians had a fun energy and a good rapport, with the crowd gathered near the bar.  Blues Night wasn't all blues. We heard everything from Scott Joplin, to 1970s rock. I was totally entertained by the music, but also by a number of women dancing in a small space near the bar. I was a little envious. They were so comfortable, happily jiving to the tunes. Dancing With Locals Before long I got up the nerve to go over and chat with the fun dancin' gals. Very quickly, Debbie (the most enthused of the bunch) had me dancing along! Then Greg left his bench and joined us with his portable keyboard. What a hoot!  Debbie failed to get Don on the checkered dance floor, but he was happily amused. Don laughed and shook his head, when Debbie pantomimed with an imaginary fishing rod and tried to reel him in. It was after 8, when the band played their last song. Greg gave a shout out to thank the Dancers! Debbie gave me a hug good-bye and Don thanked the band with compliments and a generous tip. What a perfectly enjoyable evening! Brrrr! We made our 30 second walk back to our room. I kept fingers crossed that the Ofuro Tub would be hot.  You can tell by my expression that it was not hot. I'm also exaggerating a bit. It was warm, but not warm enough to sit and soak when the air temps were in the 30s. 6:30 AM The next morning, it was still dark when I stepped out on the patio to test the tub! What fun to pull the cover back and feel the steamy warmth rise! I attempted to get myself into the 3-ft deep tub, gracefully. However, I forgot the wooden box was nearly a foot deeper than the deck. I made a splashing entrance and tried to muffle my laughter.  I didn't use the nearby hinoki stool in the tub. Instead I leaned back in the 98 degree water and rested my head against the box. I grinned to myself in the dark, because I knew I looked like I was laying in a coffin. But I was amazed at how magical it felt. I wasn't floating or sinking. I was submerged just enough. Even my head outside of the water felt weightless, resting on the wood.  So, I finally got to enjoy the tub, while a rooster crowed nearby and a dog barked once. The sky lightened and I could see pink and blue behind the tree branches. Lovely! Main Street in the Morning After a shower, I headed off for a quick walk through town. The slideshow below, shows a few of the highlights. Upper Lake is small, with fewer than 1,000 residents. So, there's not tons to see. But I was delighted to have a peek at the quiet town, nice and early. Coffee Before Breakfast We had breakfast waiting for us in the hotel dining room...  ... but I had to have coffee on the porch. If there's a porch, I must use it. Dining Room at 8 We entered the sun-filled dining room, and took a table next to the fireplace. I was able to spend more time admiring the handmade tiles. Golden brown seaweed images!
My chair gave me a good view of this bird and frog. All the softly painted wall designs, were inspired by the nearby marsh wildlife. French Buffet Before we checked out the beautifully displayed breakfast options, we greeted the only other breakfast guests. Greg and his fellow musicians were enjoying breakfast, after spending a night in the hotel. Couldn't have been a friendlier bunch!
We filled our plates. Eggs, croissants, house-made granola, yogurt and toppings, breads, fruit and scones... fresh brewed coffee!
It all tasted better, on our brown country dishes, surrounded by marsh birds and cattails, wispy trees and dragonflies! A good way to start the morning! What's Notable? We didn't sleep in a 129-year-old hotel, but we stayed in a charming, recently constructed building, with porch and patio and incredible soaking tub. We were graciously compensated for our heating glitch issues, by the way!
What I'll remember first about this hotel stay, is how the old and new blended so beautifully. It's hard to tell from my 2 photos, which building is original. Next I'll remember how the entire property felt welcoming and comfortable and classy. The staff (hotel and saloon) couldn't have been more gracious. The size of this little oasis was just perfect. Rarely do Don and I return to hotels, since we're always wanting to explore new places. But already, we have reservations for a Tallman Hotel visit in the summer. That says it all! Update! 8 months after our first stay, Don and I returned to Tallman, with our son and daughter-in-law! How fun to see the hotel at the end of summer, with leaves on the trees and a Labor Day Weekend Blues Festival! But mostly it was fun to share the experience with these 2! Just a 2-hour drive from Scott and Chali's home in Sacramento. Looks like this might not be our last visit!
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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
December 2024
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