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Gruene Mansion in Gruene! Last December, Don and I spent a night in this sweet old mansion, from 1872.  The Victorian-style home was built by Henry D. Gruene, (pronounced GREEN) in a town once called Goodwin. H.D. was evidently quite a guy in the community. The town's name was eventually changed to honor him. The Dance Hall Most people in Texas know of Gruene, because of its famous dance hall. Texas has a lot of old dance halls, but Gruene Hall is the oldest.  The dance hall was built by Mr. Gruene in 1878. It sits right next door to his mansion. That was pretty convenient for Henry. Also for us, since we had tickets for a Tiki Christmas Concert on the night of our stay. Around Gruene The mansion and dance hall aren't the only buildings connected to Henry. There's the 1904 Mercantile, (great antiques now) with HD Gruene's name. The Gristmill River Restaurant is housed in the old cotton gin, built by the H.D. Other old buildings have been turned into fun shops and cafes, all just steps from the mansion. It's fun to imagine the town in 1900, when Gruene was a thriving community. Cotton farming, ginning and banking! There's still a vault in the Mercantile building. Gruene Family This photo was taken on the mansion's porch. I'm guessing the older man is Ernst Gruene, who immigrated with his wife Antoinette from Germany. They moved their family to the town of "Goodwin" when Henry was a baby.  I'm guessing Henry is the younger brother... and maybe that's his young son. This photo would have been taken after Henry returned home to Goodwin, to marry and build this home. H.D. spent many prosperous years, until his death in 1920. Sadly, Gruene was a ghost town by 1950. Mansion Property The old ghost town had a sort of revival in the early 1970s. Restoration of buildings began. Today Gruene Mansion has 2 guest rooms. Most of the other 30 or so rooms, are elsewhere on the inn's property.  When we pulled in on December 5, we followed the drive back a ways, to peek at some of the other buildings where guests stay. On the River Some of the rooms overlook the Guadalupe River. The website description... Victorian Rustic Elegance with modern amenities.  This land along the river was purchased by Ernst Gruene, in 1845. Eventually, son Henry took over the land and planted cotton and housed dozens of sharecroppers... or so I read. I couldn't tell if any of the riverside buildings were historic. The weathered wood in winter, made everything look old. Gathering Spots Near the riverside units, there were lots of open air gathering spots. On a chilly Thursday afternoon, I found no one making use of the rocking chairs.   I didn't spot anyone on the swing, beneath a metal roof. The community space didn't looked appealing on that gray day. but in the summertime, I can imagine a different vibe. Lot of guests hanging out, after a day tubing down the river. Heading In We parked on a brick & grass lot, beside a larger covered outdoor space.  Free parking was a perk. Gruene has become much more touristy, in recent decades. We could have gathered near the fireplace, under this roof.  A blanket and hot chocolate would have made it cozy. Busy Henry We've admired this Victorian mansion on many past visits to Gruene. But only recently did I learn that Henry Gruene lived here, with his wife Bertha.  Before that, he was busy in the saddle. He left Gruene (Goodwin at the time) at the age of 19 and spent time as a cowboy. I expect he gathered a lot of stories and lessons while driving longhorn cattle. Maybe he spent some of that time on the trails, calculating how he was going to prosper in Goodwin. Welcome Heart Check In was at 3. We found a sign pointing us towards the office, in the back building.  I doubt Cowboy Henry would have cared much for the heart-shaped entrance that took us to his old home. Lobby The yellow office was in a space that connected the old mansion to The Pantry, which is a coffee shop, housed in the back building.  I was disappointed there wasn't more of a lobby or lounging space. There was no place to sit, but I noticed a water station, with lots of old photos on the nearby wall. The Stairs One photo showed some images of a major restoration, around 1970. The old stairs look scary!
After checking in, we headed up those stairs. They're still sort of scary. My photo does NOT show how sloped and twisted that journey was! Luckily we had no bags.
We reached the top of the stairs and found a little sitting area with a sort of pew. There were 2 more doors. One led to the porch. The other opened to the hall, where our room was located. Back Stairs After that amusing stair climb, we went back to the car to get bags.  This time we chose the outside stairs, which were much easier. But the code didn't work. I made a couple trips to the desk until we got that figured out. Peculiar Hall Some very odd work has been done to create guest rooms, since the Gruenes lived here. The long hallway, (with very tall ceiling) led directly to the entrance of our cozy suite. Our short door in the tall hall, made me laugh.
I took a closer photo with the door open, showing the screen door to the balcony. The space between the open doors, was part of our suite... Bertha's Suite. Bathroom door to the left. Bedroom door to the right. Pondering the Door With my back to the balcony, I took one more photo of our closed door. With open space above, it looked like part of a stage set. Not sure why this amused me so.  There was only one other upstairs guest, but he frequently went in and out of his room. (a smoker maybe?) The hallway sounds floated right above that short door. Footsteps, door sounds, cellphone conversations, startled me repeatedly. I never saw him, but If he'd been an enormously tall man (or a giraffe) he could have poked his head over the door and asked to borrow a cup of sugar. Bertha's Room Our room was named for Henry's wife. I loved our corner space with 4 tall windows.  We probably could have opened them and walked right out to the wrap around balcony. But we had our own balcony door. The queen size bed, with ornate carved wood, was plenty comfy. We had a fridge, TV and coffee maker. All good.
The vintage wallpaper on the ceiling was kind of fun. As a kid, I would have loved an entertaining ceiling, when I was bored at nap time.  The view out the side windows looked towards a shop and an outside bar.  I walked over later to see the next door property. There was a small stage and an outside bar.  Since Gruene Hall was on the other side of our inn, we were literally surrounded by live music possibilities! The Bathroom! Our luxurious bathroom was a hoot. The sink set-up was very nice and spacious.  The red claw footed tub was sort of on stage! This so amused me, I had to take a few photos to capture the tricky little platform.
I did some wondering about how I would reach the shampoo & soaps mounted to the wall, when the tub curtains were closed. Bath Time Rules Then I took some time pondering the rules of the tub.  "If there are TWO of you frolicking in the bath, Please double check your awareness of the water level." Don and I had a good chuckle over that one. Porch A tiny part of me was glad the weather was chilly and damp, when I stepped through our own door to the porch.
We hardly had time to make use of this incredible wrap-around porch! Had the weather been lovely, I would have had a harder time dragging myself away from the porch.
I love porches and I love rocking chairs. Anywhere and any day.  I love people watching, too. We had the perfect view of folks strolling the walk in front.  I even loved the view behind the chairs, from the circular porch section. Looking back at the inn, it was fun to see all the those tall windows of our corner room! I sat for a spell. Just not a long one.  I played Goldilocks and tried out all the chairs. I liked the rockers at the end. They had a good view down into Gruene Hall's yard space.  This photo is from the ground, (obviously) but it shows the old-timey wire fence, that divides the dance hall and inn properties. In warm months, when Gruene is hopping, the inn's porch would definitely be a great place to take in some good people watching and music. Below After pondering on the porch, I realized I never explored the space beneath our room. I took the funny stairs to the lobby desk and headed towards the front of the house. I found nice leather chairs, near a decorated tree.
The old front door had an antique bell in the center. I used to love those old twist turn doorbells! There were numerous tables at the other end of the room. I believe the tables were available to guests who purchased drinks or food, at The Pantry.  While looking around, I couldn't help but notice a round table, with lots of appetizers and sweets. Oh boy! I guess they forgot to tell us at check in! But when I inquired, I learned the inn's owner was having a private gathering soon. Rats. Not for us. My Own Meet and Greet I headed towards the stairs, feeling a little like a middle schooler who just learned she'd not been invited to a party. But all sulking ended, when I met a pleasant looking couple who had just checked in. We struck up a converstaion and I learned they were also attending the Jamestown Revival Tiki Christmas Concert.  In fact, their son Jon, was performing. That's because he was Jon Clay, of the Jon & Zach (Chance) folk duo... Jamestown Revival. In the sweetest (non-braggy) way, these 2 shared about the "boys" who were once high school buddies. The parents were excited about the recent spotlight on these talented young men, with Grammy and Tony nominations, for the score they wrote for Broadway's musical, The Outsiders. New Groupies After a good long chat with these wonderful folks, I dashed upstairs to tell Don. We were already excited about the show. We both love Tiki and Gruene Hall. We also recently became introduced to J. Revival, after seeing them perform in 2022. (Willy Nelson Concert in Sacramento!)  But suddenly I felt a giddy connection to this talented young band... through the parents of one member. Pretty funny, at 67 I was a whole different kind of groupie. I admired these sincerely proud parents. It made me extra excited to see the show, knowing what happy supportive parents were behind them. I know. Very corny. Cowboy Tiki-Time It was fun to know there would at least be 2 "fans" in the crowd, (besides Don and me) who might be over the age of 50.  Don and I are way, way over 50, but we conjured up some youthful enthusiasm with our cowboy boots and leis. I wore my flowered shirt and Don was decorated with ukuleles. We enjoyed a toast in our room, to the fun ahead. Evening at the Inn Before heading next door, we did sneak a peek at the downstairs porch. I snooped in a window at the inn's private gathering and chuckled to myself. Have fun y'all. Sorry we can't join ya, we have to go see our friends at the dance hall now.
We headed through the glowing heart-shape. I wonder how many bridal couples have posed in that spot? The Show The evening couldn't have been more enjoyable. The stage was decorated with palm trees and Christmas decor. The enthused fans (some in tiki attire) seemed laid back and game for a simple evening of folksy Christmas music and good humored, relaxed on-stage banter. It was as if everyone already knew each other. Yet we oldsters never felt out of place. The band and the crowd all seemed equally welcoming. Night in Gruene Don and I lingered a while after the show. It felt good to know we had no drive ahead. We'd been standing throughout the show, (no seats) but we were still in no hurry to rush back.  It didn't take long for the main street to empty. We had a fun peek at the old Mercantile, all lit up with no cars cluttering. We strolled down the walk just a few steps, then up to the porch.  It was an added bonus to have our stay in December, when lights and greenery decorated the porches! Morning We slept well in Bertha's Room. There was no music lingering late at night. No guest going in and out. All was peaceful and cozy.  We had to hit the road early, but made sure to purchase some coffee and warm scones from The Pantry. The smells of coffee and sweets, was welcoming. It was a perfect end to our stay. What's Notable? We stayed in a Victorian mansion, in one of our favorite places in Texas. Even though Gruene's become touristy, it's still such a festive little town. I really never appreciated the history of Gruene or the mansion, until this visit.  Mostly I'll remember the cozy room, with access to the huge porch. The tub was not ideal, but just fine for one night. The price wasn't great either (total over 300) but again, it was just one night. A stay with warmer (not hot) weather would have made the visit absolutely ideal. I would love to enjoy more of the grounds and definitely more porch time!
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Thanksgiving at La Mansion With no family in town for the holiday, Don and I made last minute reservations for a stay in San Antonio. In a hotel where we've always wanted to stay!
We arrived the day before Thanksgiving. We wandered down the Riverwalk looking for those familiar stairs leading up to the Spanish style building. I remember spotting that pair of stairs (and the leaning tree in the middle) about 2 decades ago, for the first time. On the Riverwalk Since moving to Texas 24 years ago, we've visited the historic San Antonio Riverwalk numerous times. (rarely quiet, like my 7 am photo)  Somewhere, we have photos of the kids posing on this sweet pedestrian bridge, right near the hotel entrance. Selena Bridge I learned recently, that many refer to this bridge as the Selena Bridge. Nearly 3 decades ago, the famous singer performed her last concert at the Alamodome. Tragically, she was killed a couple weeks later. A romantic scene from the movie Selena, (1997) was filmed on this bridge.  The bridge gives sort of a curious view of La Mansion, with its arches and wrought iron. The hotel section facing the water, opened as La Posada in 1968. It was built on the property of the historic St. Mary's College, after the school relocated. The luxury hotel opened just in time for the crowds attending the HemisFair '68! College Street When Don and I arrived the day before Thanksgiving, we found the door (near Selena Bridge) locked. We left the charming Riverwalk-World and searched for the main entrance on College Street.  From the street, we saw a a very different view of the hotel. We could also see St. Mary's Church, on the corner. Obviously the school and church are connected historically. St. Mary's College The first building for St. Mary's was constructed in 1852. This 4-story structure came later, in the 1870s. It was the tallest building in San Antonio at that time!  It was fun to compare the old image to today's building. Not much has changed. We tried the door beneath the flags. Locked! How do we enter this complex of old and new buildings? La Mansion del Rio Hotel The main entrance was actually in a newer building, with valet parking and garage.  The friendly valet guys pointed to the lobby door, near a welcoming sign that showed the full name of the hotel... which was a mouthful. Once we had our keycard, we could enter all the doors. The entrance above the Riverwalk (near the oval sign) was the only one we needed.
Obviously we were drawn more to the "rio" than the street. I liked just stepping out, to see the river activity. Back inside the door, an open air corridor took us to the lobby, elevator... pool. Unlike the high-rise hotels nearby, we got to enjoy a little fresh air, every time we wandered.  We could peek at the pool and courtyard, every time we headed to the lobby. The vibe was different each time! Sometimes lively. Sometimes still. Lobby The lobby desk was within the old building. We checked in a little early, which meant we missed the rush.  It was a Wednesday before the holiday weekend. Lots of families began to arrive. Cocoa La Mansion is now owned by Omni, so we got some Omni perks, like the Hot Cocoa Table. I of course had to stop for a chocolatey drink!  I'm glad they kept the La Mansion name, so we weren't constantly reminded that we were actually staying in a chain hotel. El Colegio... Blitzen's There's a curious history behind the hotel's El Colegio Bar.  This part of the school property was added in 1934, after St. Mary's College added a law school. El Colegio became the bar's name. We would learn later what the glowing BLIZTEN'S sign was all about. The Dean's Office In 1967, St. Mary's outgrew the location and moved. In '68, a former law student purchased the property. A new building was added for hotel rooms and the Dean's office (with its wonderful stone fireplace) became the hotel's cozy bar. For years it was also a convenient gathering place for lawyers and judges, who worked at the nearby courthouse.  Don and I actually had a drink in El Colegio, about 10 years ago. We sat at a table looking out towards College Street. Exploring the Old Building I was sorry that our room couldn't have been in the historic building, on College Street.  But at least I could explore the building that once held the school. Not far from the lobby desk, a Christmas tree with the gigantic gold balls, lured me over. Then I got curious about what was above.
I absolutely love a good staircase! I had this one all to myself as I climbed to the 4th floor. When I reached the top, I looked down and gave a tiny squeal of giddy delight.  Then I noticed I wasn't by myself. A man dressed in paint splattered clothes had just come from the elevator. I told the workman I was enjoying the best view! He said he'd never seen the stairs, since his job required him to use specific halls and elevators. I invited him to come have a look and I wish I could have taken a picture of his happy face. We both admired the tree from above! Decor I wandered and found numerous event spaces.  But the doors were all locked. I wasn't as free to explore as I'd hoped. But there were many halls for wandering, in both main buildings.
I enjoyed all the different styles of art... antique paintings and Mexican Huichol yarn art.  There were vintage photos of San Antonio and old pictures showing some of St. Mary's athletes. The school was all male until 1963.  This little sitting area with soft chairs and soothing art, seemed to be inviting me to stop and sit a while. Fountains A visit to San Antonio always makes me feel like I've traveled to Mexico or Spain. Especially when there are trickling fountains. I found one in a courtyard...
... and another with a lion's head, on the outside of the building.  I wish someone could have told me about this unusual fountain near the pool. Stone faces and colorful pieces of tile! Was this a recent piece of art? Our Little Oasis Our host at check-in was very gracious, giving us some room options.  We couldn't have been happier with our choice, on the 4th floor at the very end of the building.  I loved our beams and the brick wall. 1960s Spanish style! And a door with a balcony!  The carpet and furniture looked nicely updated. I was of course drawn to the photos and art. Who were these smiling gals with rattlers on their jumpers? Female students sometime after 1963, I guess.  Trivia: The green and gold serpent became the school mascot, after diamondback rattlesnakes were found on campus, in the 1920s. There was more art in the bathroom.  It was a nice space. Not huge, but modern and fresh, with good light. Relaxing Don was pleased with a comfy chair.  We had a cozy morning on Thursday, enjoying coffee and pastries, with the Macy's Parade! Balcony I loved having doors that opened, to let in fresh air and views and sounds.  We also had a door that opened to a shared balcony. It invited me to wander a little later. 2 Views Our balcony wasn't the most spacious, but we had 2 chairs. I could sit in one and check on the pool activity.  I could sit in the other and study St. Mary's! What a delight to hear the bells chime... a lot! Some guests might get annoyed with regular bell and song interruptions. But I loved it. The sounds transported me to a different time and place. Roof View Besides people watching below, I could look across at the historic building.  The building was designed by a French architect. I felt like I was in Paris. When I wandered along some of the upper walkways, I was able to study some of the buildings that surrounded our hotel.  So many tall buildings have popped up in the old city, since the original 4-story school of 1877.  You can see our 4th floor balcony, above the fountain. So close to the church and bells! Outside Seating The pool courtyard was especially inviting at night. The water was plenty warm and a fire pit made the sitting area cozy, when temps dropped.  At the opposite end of the property, there was another courtyard.  It also had a fire pit, but also lots of rocking chairs to lure guests. I never saw anyone making use. I'm glad we enjoyed some outside sitting on Wednesday, when it was slightly warmer.
The first evening, we ordered some wine at El Colegio and enjoyed some people watching by the pool. I did not see a single person on a cell phone. Rare! I actually noticed a dad, reading Hemingway while his kids swam. Location We hardly needed to leave our sweet hotel, tucked between the Riverwalk and city buildings. But the Riverwalk access was the icing on the cake.  San Antonio's Riverwalk is a little like the canals of Venice. No cars. Lots of tourists... shops and restaurants. WPA helped create the canals and bridges in the 1930s. Then and Now Disastrous flooding of the San Antonio River in 1921, initially prompted the creation of the Riverwalk plan. I'm not sure when the vintage photo was taken, but it looks similar to the photo I took, on the right.  The new photo shows the 1968 hotel addition, which blocks the view of St. Mary's roof. When I look at both photos I wonder how many feet have walked along these paths. And how many visitors have fallen into that water! Exploring on Foot We didn't join tourists for a boat tour. We've done that. But we never tire of wandering along the winding along the pathways, beside water. A few times we took the stairs up to the street level and explored. We passed by The Alamo, then enjoyed some lunch at the historic Menger Hotel... evening drinks at the glamorous St. Anthony Hotel. The area was extra festive with colorful decorations and lights! Blitzen's On both days, Blitzen's (or El Colegio) opened its doors in the morning and afternoon. Coffee Bar... then Cocktail Bar.  I believe Omni has something to do with the Blitzen's name. I believe this year, about 13 Blitzen's Christmas Pop-Up Bars showed up in Omni hotels, around the country.  I popped in to see some Pop-Up surprises, when it first opened on Wednesday afternoon.
I love some Christmas spirit! I love surprises! I love the history of El Colegio. But the blend of it all was a bit odd.  The old fireplace was festive and amusing with Santa Dear.
The bar stools had cute covers and there were 2 Santas decorating a leather sofa. There were lights hanging above and a tree in the corner. All good.  But in the morning when we sipped coffee and enjoyed the newspaper, we had the same one complaint. It's hard to enjoy your coffee or cocktail and all the festive decor when there are TVs flickering on both sides of the fireplace and behind the bar.  I'd have been fine with some classic holiday movies playing. But it was all sports. Wrestling at 9 am! 4 Brothers: Southern Provisions Our hotel had a lovely restaurant, with an intriguing name. The restaurant also had a lovely patio, overlooking the Riverwalk.  The restaurant name recognizes the 4 brothers of the Society of Mary, who established St. Mary's College. That was in 1853! We're talking 16 years after the fall of the Alamo! This lovely dining room and bar was built on land, that likely saw some dramatic happenings, in 1836.  I guess the entire hotel sits on land that was once part of the famed Battle of the Alamo. The mission itself is just about a quarter mile away. Thanksgiving Dinner We were lucky to get reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at 4 Brothers. Our trip had been spur of the moment. I had hoped for a cozy booth, like the one I spotted during one of my exploration missions.
I was especially thrilled when I found out it was not a buffet. We could order from the menu, or enjoy a plate of typical Thanksgiving foods.  We arrived early to enjoy a toast in the bar. At first I was disappointed that we were seated at a cafe table, close to others. But we ended up enjoying a couple seated nearby. They were intrigued, when Don ordered a smoking toasted pecan old fashioned cocktail!  They had just finished their meal, so the 4 of us ended up chatting until our food came. This would not have worked out well, if this couple had been at all annoying. But I'll always remember our conversation. Just like us, they had decided on a T-Day getaway to San Antonio, because their grown kids weren't in town. We talked about some interesting things... like shared concerns about our country. It was odd and unexpected and pleasant.  I'll remember how much I enjoyed my turkey dinner, as well as the upbeat waiter who served it. How did he manage to be so energetic and gracious after serving on a busy holiday? Nighttime After dinner we stepped out into the chilly air to have one last peek at the water. On Thanksgiving night, the sidewalks were fairly quiet. (photos mostly from the night before) We stood on the bridge and wondered what the river would look like the next night... for the annual holiday light parade on the water! What's Notable? Our stay at La Mansion was such a sweet surprise. Our expectations were simple... to just enjoy a change of scenery, in a decent hotel.  We loved our room with balcony and bells. We appreciated the professional and friendly staff. The history of the property was an added treat. There was even something very pleasant about the other guests we passed, or observed, or spoke with. And of course the location made our stay extra special. Maybe next time we'll splurge and book a room overlooking the water!
A Night at the Art Center On the first day of August, Don and I spent the last evening of our 18-day road trip, in the Texas town of San Angelo.  We followed GPS to the northeastern edge of town. After turning down Martin Luther King Drive and passing Stardust Trailer Park, we suddenly spotted this colorful building. The artwork was a good hint that we'd found the right place. Inn at the Art Center. Art at the Chicken Farm Lots of frolicking images greeted us! I noticed a painted rooster near the feet of 2 dancing figures. Near their heads I read the words, Chicken Farm Art Center.  Next we saw a tall metal figure holding a round sign, The Old Chicken Farm Center. We were entering a place with many names.  This would be more than a stay at an inn. It was also an art center... which had once been a chicken farm! Artist's Pencils We parked our car next to a colorful pencil fence! Each pencil-board had its own name and color.  Surely this fence hasn't been standing since 1971. That's when the farm property became an art center Lots of locals came together, more than 5 decades ago, to make it happen. I'm guessing the names belonged to artists and other locals who have contributed over the years. Stardust Gallery After parking, we peered through a different kind of fence. A decorative metal one, with chicken shapes. More chickens! We walked inside, the quiet little "gated community", hoping to find someone to guide us.
There were lots of buildings (and things) on the 3-acre property. We moved towards the building with the stoplight and read a sign telling us the Stardust Gallery would be closing at 4:00. We had 5 minutes. The gallery inside was filled with bright ceramics and colorful paintings. We were greeted by a smiling woman with a long gray braid and tattoos. She was excited to tell us the monthly Art Fest Weekend was coming up.  As I browsed a few minutes, I gushed about how excited we were to stay after hearing about the place from a friend. I told her we had booked a room at the inn months ago, making sure we landed on a night when the Silo Restaurant was open. Quick Tour I was excited to find the tiniest ceramic dish to purchase. I was paying up, when Sabrina arrived. She lives on the property and helps the owners with guests.  It was over 100 degrees, but Sabrina was enthused about showing us around the property. I was happy to hear any bits of history I could learn. Roger Allen We were told a little about Roger Allen, the local HS art teacher who quit teaching and purchased the old 1940s mom and pop chicken farm, in 1971.  There was an image of Roger on the side of the same colorful building we'd spotted from the road. Roger passed away 5 years ago, but his spirit is clearly very much a part of the Art Center community today. The whole backside of the building was covered in whimsical art.  This building was one of the 9 original farm buildings.  I loved the curious figures and the all chickens, here and there.
I was intrigued by the Chicken Farm history. I pictured an old fashioned farm and chickens running around. Then I learned that the building with colorful walls had once been used for slaughtering chickens, not raising them. Ugh. There were actually troughs in the floors, to handle some of the messy business! I hadn't really stopped to consider what Chicken Farm meant. One of 8 Guest Rooms After wandering the property we came to the building that held our guest room. I know this was one of the original buildings. Possibly a chicken coop. At least I'm hoping it was all about live chickens.  Sabrina led us past 2 sets of oddly low windows.
She guided us to the door, near the white folding chair., Once inside, Sabrina pointed out the shared kitchen where we were welcome to anything in the fridge. Ponderosa Room Next, Sabrina showed us to the Ponderosa Room, where we'd be spending the night. The door opened to an entryway, with enough wood to make you dizzy! Looking left, we could see a couple of steps leading up to our bathroom.
Just outside of the bathroom door was a landing, with some pretty amazing tile work.  Was that a lizard in the tile? Knotty Pine Bathroom There were hints of some recent updates. A modern vessel sink.
There were hints of the old west as well. A saloon door to the toilet area! Woody Space Our spacious 500 sq-ft room was absolutely jammed with wood! I was totally delighted as I studied every detail. 
Besides a few fabrics here and there, we were surrounded by wood Plugged Holes Sabrina pointed out the corks in the wall. She explained how those corks plugged up holes, made long ago by Civil War musket balls.  I tried to absorb all Sabrina's info, but she spoke rapidly. Did she say these boards had been beams from an old textile factory? Or did she say these boards were used for firing practice during the Civil War? Or both? Freckled Pecan And then we had some wonderful floors, made from freckled pecan wood.
What about that cypress wood supporting the ceiling! Is that cypress? A Puzzle of Wood Above the 2 oddly low windows, was a puzzling mosaic of wood!   Pine, cedar and cypress, dark and light, curves and angles, smooth and lumpy, slick and rough!! Hidden Treasures! Sabrina mentioned that we might want to look for some surprises in the wood designs.  I eagerly set to work looking for treasures, before Sabrina left us.  In tiny crevices and crannies, I found a hippo and scorpion and a Madonna... endless goodies. No Silo Tonight! I was starting to feel at home in our quirky little temporary home, when Sabrina returned with news that she'd heard from the chef. The Silo Restaurant would not be open that night. What? ! I'd spoken to the chef 2 nights before, when making reservations. Just moments before, we'd spotted the funny round building, when touring.  I didn't hide my frustration with Sabrina. "Are you kidding me?" Poor Sabrina was given the job of telling us that the Chef had a family crisis and wouldn't open that night. I was crushed and also slightly skeptical.  I know about the complications of running small businesses, in remote areas. I could think of many reasons for closing, which might not include a crisis. Sigh... Mostly I was just bummed. We'd heard great things about the fine dining within the old grain silo!  Sabrina gave us suggestions for places in town, but we were too beat to get back in the car. We'd have to make it a notable night without the Silo. Studios We'd arrived too late to visit the studios, but I figured I'd get out and wander anyway.  Near a branch-less tree with blue paint, I noticed more colorful doors and art beneath a metal roof. Sad to think this brightly painted building filled with studio spaces, was once used for slaughter or processing. But the open door to Pirate Monkey Gallery made me forget chickens. It lured me!  I stuck my head inside the storm door. I was greeted by a very welcoming artist, who invited me to look around.  I enjoyed her upbeat artwork (including the rooster!) while we talked about kids and art. A fun converstaion. I was starting to feel better about the old Chicken Farm. Buildings After cooling off in Heathre's studio, I stepped back out into the sweltering afternoon and explored the walkways, wondering about the stories behind each building.     I wondered about the original artists 50 years ago, who took over the ramshackle property and made it a place to live and produce art. Obvious Art As I followed a few shady pathways I noticed endless samples of artwork.  From bright roosters to rusty sculptures.
Covered Spaces A few covered patios held equipment and materials that left me imagining art in the process!   Juston It was hard to imagine this quiet property filled with artists and musicians and locals, 2 days later. All seemed so empty and still and almost forgotten. But then I spotted a man on a raised deck.
We started to chat and I learned that I was talking to Juston.. He and his wife Chasity purchased the inn a few years ago. (not sure if it's just the inn that they run) Questions Juston was friendly and open to all my questions. He told me about this whimsical piano, made by one of the Center's special artists, who recently moved on.  "...The Purpose of education is human freedom" - Milton Mayer We chatted quite a bit about the history of the Art Center. I began to picture a 1970s commune, with artists living and working together. Sharing and teaching and creating.  When I mentioned my frustration about the closed Silo, Juston seemed a little surprised to hear the chef had needed to close. But he gave me some fun news. "It's open for breakfast, though!" He quickly looked up the hours on his phone. Yay! We could get up early and have a dining experience in the old grain silo, before hitting the road! Happy Hour I headed back to the Ponderosa Room to tell Don my plan for the rest of our stay. It would start with Happy Hour.  I'd seen some retro gold goblets in our room. Yay for that! We grabbed some snacks and headed off to find our Happy Hour Spot.  We searched the property for a shady spot and found some cushioned chairs under some trees.  We toasted to our funny little Farm Center and got excited about rising early for breakfast in the Silo. It was about 98 degrees but there was a decent breeze and we were good. The breeze seemed to bringing us some good smells from the Silo. We could hear the exhaust fan and smell some great smells. Sausage? Bacon? Yum?
We visited with a roaming cat for a while and then Juston wandered by. We 3 sniffed the air and agreed it smelled wonderful. I told him we had decided to go for breakfast the next day. We were happy. Dinner in the Coop After a good hour in the warm evening air, we headed back to our coop and enjoyed an evening of Peanut Butter & Jelly. (all that we had on hand)  The couch was comfy and we were grateful to have a TV for a change. We laughed for a good hour over some old SNL skits, before turning in early. Breakfast? We were showered and the car was packed up before 7. While making a couple trips to the car, I was pretty darn aware that once again, the property felt eerily quiet.  We knew the Silo opened at 7, but waited an extra 10 minutes. Not a sound or smell. Not a car parked nearby. We gave it another 5 minutes. What was with those cooking smells the night before. Water Lily Therapy I was sort of furious as we walked to the car. But I guess I didn't fully expect this Silo thing to happen. Don started the car and I gave him my plan B.  We could settle for a fast-food breakfast, but only after a quick detour before hitting the freeway home. My daughter-in-law just the day before had texted me about the International Water Lily Collection in San Antonio!
We found the park easily and we were the only park visitors!
The sight of these lovely lilies brought me so much joy. I was ready for the long drive home! Cheers for water lilies!! What's Notable? We stayed at an Art Center that had once been a Chicken Farm! A first for that combo!  The weather was impossibly hot, which made the property feel extra desolate and wilted. And yes, I was totally frustrated by the Silo failing us twice! But I do appreciate this place. I know if we stayed again, with others around, on a fresh spring evening, when the Silo and studios were open and welcoming... our experience would have been very different.
Glad we stayed. Glad my travel buddy is flexible and willing to find a way to make things fun, no matter what! Don passed this travel test with flying colors! 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! 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! |
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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