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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!
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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! 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! Last Stop Salado, TX Last June, it was 99 degrees at 4:00 on Father's Day. Don and I pulled up to the Shady Villa Hotel office feeling hot, tired and curious. It was the final stop of our 18-day road trip.  A minute before, we'd pulled into Salado, knowing little about the town. It looked surprisingly lively, on a hot afternoon. Tourists roamed the shops and picnicked in the nearby park. We pulled into the lot and I headed inside the Registration Office, where the a.c. worked well! I was given a key and a very chilly metal pail, filled with ice. Ahhh! But where was the hotel? The Original Inn Just steps from the office, (but fairly hidden behind trees) was the hotel's restaurant. The wood framed building, was the original, Shady Villa Inn. It opened in 1861 as a stagecoach stop, serving travelers on the Chisholm Trail. (This was not our hotel for the night!)  In 1943, Dion and Ruth Van Bibbers bought the property and opened a sophisticated southern style tea room. It was renamed the Stagecoach Inn. They stopped accepting lodgers at some point and focussed on adding dining rooms. We made reservations for the evening! Modern Motel In the late 1950's, the Van Bibber's nephew took over the business and added motel-style quarters on the west side of the 6-acre property.  We drove our car from the office, to a shady building in the back of the grounds. Our accommodations were in a post WWII motel, not a Civil War era inn. No problem. Pink Coach! As soon as we hopped out of the car, we could hear the cars whizzing by on I-35. I wandered towards the sound and found the original motel lobby and coffee shop. Now closed.  I also found a stagecoach, sitting on some dry grass. Even with bright yellow and pink paint, it looked sort of lonely and forgotten. I'll bet it must have delighted kids back in the day, when they spotted it from the highway. The front of the hotel once faced I-35. That was back when the highway was brand new and much quieter. Love the Neon From our parking area, the trees nearly blocked the iconic neon sign. But the cars flying by, had a good view.  It was only a couple years ago, that the Stagecoach Inn was taken over by Austin based "Bunkhouse Group". They reverted to the original Shady Villa name. I'm glad the old neon sign still glows! Building #1 Scattered on the property, there were several buildings holding 48 rooms. All were connected by pretty walkways. As we headed towards our building, I wondered how this structure looked when it was built in the '50's.
The Bunkhouse Group has done a great job rescuing numerous historic hotels. We've stayed at a few in Texas. I felt like I was spotting their style as we climbed the steps. The white brick, chickenwire with vines and interesting light fixture... All seemed to have a little Austin Hipness. Both Sides The outdoor hallway revealed painted doors, but no windows. Each upper unit had an entrance on the north, with glass doors and balcony on the south side.
The lush landscaping offered lots of privacy, to the patios on the lower level. I was glad to be higher, with a view. Cool! Our spacious room with Saltillo tile floors felt cool on a hot day. The shiny floors made me feel like we were staying at a hotel in Mexico.  The whole room had a cool, mid-century vibe. We had our naugahyde daybed/couch with lounge pillows and a hip swag lamp and a wall of glass, inviting us to the balcony. Comfy Bed The daybed actually was not a bit comfortable, but the king bed and linens felt heavenly. And we had a very relaxing photo image above the bed. (Big Bend National Park?) All rooms featured photographic scenes of Texas.  I so appreciate having side tables and shelves and lamps, when we travel. I never expect to have a sound machine, but we had one. Fresh Bathroom! The tile work in the bathroom was extra bright and fun. Reminded me of minty, Chiclets gum!  The modern sink was sleek and the towels were thick and soft. What did the bathrooms look like 2 decades ago, when the hotel was run down and truckers were the usual guests? Those tired drivers would have loved making use of the giant showers, with great water pressure! Extras Back in the '50's and '60's, travelers never expected a fridge in a motel. Microwaves weren't even in homes then. Our mid-century motel room had neither of those. I was fine with that.  We did have an interesting coffeemaker, though. I fussed with it a while, but couldn't get my water heated. The cans of still water, were much cuter than plastic bottles. Color television? Luckily we didn't have a retro model with rabbit ears. We had a nice wall-mounted TV, with good picture and decent stations. Yay for TCM movies! Perfect? The balcony was almost perfect. Especially with canvas butterfly chairs and an exotic lamp! There was just a little bit of stain on the fabric, from roosting birds. Balconies and birds...we've had this problem before.
But we had a perfect view of the pool and grounds. Not too close! And we had the perfect amount of trees for shade. But, it was still 99 degrees! Wandering We had a couple hours until dinner. Don cooled off in the room, gabbing with the kids who called to wish him a Happy Dad Day!  I braved the heat and wandered the grounds, enjoying the shade of live oaks and the sounds of splashing in the pool.  I headed down Main Street, towards Salado Creek, then returned to make sure we had time to hit the pool before dinner. Pool Time Something about the trees and jungly growth and the retro motel building, took me back to my childhood years living in Florida.  I was reminded of neighborhood pools, near my family's home in Tallahassee. Something about those retro chaise lounge chairs, resting under mod sunshades. But most of all it was the grass. It felt like 1967 and we were gathering with other families for a Father's Day BBQ!. There was a homey, or even camp-like atmosphere. Happy Hour on the Balcony After a little pool time, we headed back to our room in wet suits.  We made use of the light, "serape robes" (that we've seen in other Bunkhouse Hotels) and covered our chairs. Our wet suits kept our bodies cool, while we sipped iced drinks and toasted to Don's 36th Father's Day. I promised we'd celebrate back home, the next day. The Pavilion On our way to dinner, we took our time checking out the brand new, spacious pavilion.  There were lots of games that made me wish our kids were with us. Ping Pong, darts and giant Connect Four.  Best of all there was lots of seating. Chairs and tables and couches, all in little gathering areas. For cool months, there was a fireplace built into the stone wall. For steamy summer days, there were big fans hanging down from the rafters! Western Club On the opposite side of the covered shelter, we found the Western Club.
The inviting bar, was just steps from the pool. I was surprised that it wasn't open on a busy "holiday", but maybe the new space hasn't fully opened yet. I can see how this whole resort-camp vibe might be catching on very soon. Restaurant Time As we approached the restaurant, I had fun imagining this place back in the '50's when the Van Bibbers kept customers coming back for more deviled eggs and hushpuppies and Mrs. Van's Strawberry Kiss dessert!  We could spot some obvious additions. Many were added by the Van Bibbers. The ramp with more chickenwire, looked new. In the 1800's It was fun to imagine what the inn was like, even further back in time.  The south side of the building offered a good view of the chimney and veranda. We heard that Jesse James once stayed here. No proof of that, I'm afraid. Natural Vegetation The growth surrounding the inn, was lovely. The property claims to feature over 60 plant varieties.  I'm guessing this live oak (that seems to be growing in 2 directions) was probably around before the inn. Inside Don and I headed inside and took a quick trip upstairs to peek at one of the original rooms. 180 years ago, travelers made good use of that stone fireplace in the winter.  Local folklore says that General Sam Houston once stepped out onto the veranda to give a speech against secession from the Union..  We peeked in another upstairs room with the same appealing wood and stone. Dining on Sunday Evening The first floor of the inn is usually available for diners, but there were a.c. issues.  I would have loved to have eaten in this room. I have no clue about the man in the portrait or the cash register. There seemed to be many images of Mr Van Bibber in other rooms. Lunch with the Ladies The Van Bibbers added dining spaces gradually in the 40's and '50's. I love the way they built around the oak tree!
I wish I could go back in time and have lunch with some lady friends. We'd remove our white gloves and have a little iced tea with our sandwiches. Sunroom I wish Don and I could have enjoyed our dinner in this room, overlooking the grounds.  It was full of diners when we first arrived, but it would have been a fun choice. Main Room The main dining room didn't have the historic charm of the old inn, but it had a nice open feel, with books and fireplace, a couch and a bar.  But we were happy to have a table at all, on a busy Father's Day, in a touristy little town. Don celebrated well with pan-seared salmon, served with squash and zucchini. He was perfectly pleased.
My traditional chicken fried steak barely fit on my plate. It had an incredibly crispy, flavorful crust and sweet onion gravy! Back We Go We didn't linger long. It had been a busy holiday at the hotel/restaurant and the staff had clearly put in a long day.  We left happy and meandered back. The pavilion looked inviting even though the bar was closed. All to Ourselves And maybe it was lucky for us that the Western Club wasn't open.  We had the pavilion to ourselves. Don got some wine from our room and we shared a glass, under a whirling fan. We were no longer bothered by the heat or the roar of I-35. What a fun and comfy space. Morning In the morning, Don and I rose early and headed off in search of coffee.  The air had cooled and Main Street was quiet! We found a coffee shop and wandered with our cups, in both directions. There were lots of little photo ops and I clicked away. Salado Pics Here are a few from the evening before. Click to enlarge. And way too many photos from our morning walk! What a fun and artsy little town! What's Notable? We booked a room for about $150, and got plenty. We enjoyed our retro-hip-fifites motel room. We had dinner in a 181-year-old inn, with a totally different vibe. It was an interesting combination of 2 eras!,  The jungly setting kind of tied it all together, with a casual resort feel! Cheers for a little pool time and quiet pavilion time and walking in town time.
We will definitely hit this place again! Hopefully before room rates rise high! Hotel Garza in Post, Texas This sturdy little no nonsense hotel, was our home for one night in June.  The old railroad hotel has been sitting in this tiny Texas town for over 100 years. It's been on our Hotels to Try List, for just a few. Post, Texas Post is a curious place, but not exactly a vacation destination.  But, since the town was right on our route home from Colorado, we booked a night. Drive-by in 2019 Most of the hotels on this blog were introduced to us by word of mouth or the internet. But The Garza showed itself to us, when we drove through Post 3 years ago. I snapped a photo from the car.
This year when we pulled into town the hotel looked pretty much the same, except for a missing tree and a room addition. Easy Arrival We parked right in front and headed for the obvious entrance, with the awning. Small town hotel parking is such a treat!  I noticed the door to the right, and guessed it belonged to our hosts. Owners who live onsite sometimes have good stories! Glass Block in 1916? As we headed to the door I realized I knew close to nothing about this old hotel, except that it opened in 1916. Before we headed in, I took a photo of the simple entry, wth lots of glass block. It prompted simple questions. Did they even have glass block in 1916? Did they add that in the '30's?  I read later that Gustave Falconnier patented the first hollowed glass block in 1886. I love collecting little historic tidbits! Inside The Garza Don and I stepped inside at about 4 pm. We were greeted by some soft classical music and a strand of glowing lights. But no people.  In the corner behind the desk, I spotted a camera, which most likely announced our arrival. A small sign told us to text, or press the buzzer for help. We buzzed. Waiting While we waited for the host, my eyes followed the shiny wood floors past the sofas and dining tables.  I could see stairs heading up to what looked like a cozy, loft-like space. I later learned that the hotel's lower level, originally held a general store and dining room. The hotel rooms were above.  Looking at this image with 14-foot pressed tin ceilings, I can imagine shelves holding dry goods... coffee, cornmeal and flour. I picture bolts of fabric and tools. I picture glass jars full of penny candy. I don't picture those two enormous chandeliers hanging down, though! They were very, very odd. I'd love to know their story. Host Arrives I was studying the old organ when Ms. T appeared wearing gym shorts and tee shirt. Our host's laid back look, made me hopeful that we might chat a while and I could get some hotel/town history. But Ms. T was reserved and efficient as she checked us in.  She was quick to hand us our key and give us the scoop on wifi and breakfast. She walked us to the hall, pointed us towards our room, then disappeared into her private residence. Room 10 Our first floor room was one of 11 guest rooms. It was clean and neat, with its own pressed tin ceiling. Decent for $118.  I appreciated having a ceiling fan and 2 bedside tables with lamps. There was a nice little craftsmen style desk and mirror. Room with a View The king size bed took up most of the room. There was another chair, but no real place to sit comfortably. Don sat on the bed and noticed right away that there was an odd tilt to the mattress. But we managed. We've camped on hills and slept in rocky boats...
Our window had a view of the side garden. It was 98 degrees that afternoon, but I was still glad to know we had use of the patio. What was that black tubing in the gravel? Exploring Don and I had nothing but time. In fact we weren't sure how we could use up all the time. It was a little too warm for exploring town, so we set off to explore inside first. We left our room and headed for the stairs and loft.
The stairs took us to the second story, with a stop along the way. Loft Library? I'm guessing that years ago, this little area was added, between the first and second floor. It gave us a good view of the ceiling.  I wonder why we didn't curl up and read a book or play checkers? The space looks inviting in my photo, but the quiet room had an odd feel. Was it the low ceiling? Ceilings and Hall Surely we could have have eased into that space, if we'd given it some time. Now when I study the photo of Don, I fantasize about the creative fun we could have had, with those ornate ceilings... if we had misbehaved like the vandals did some years ago, when the hotel sat vacant. Don was tall enough, he wouldn't have needed spray paint. He could have played Michelangelo with a brush and a pallet of bright paint. He wouldn't have needed scaffolding or ladder!
Just kidding. Don and I are courteous guests. We just wandered down the second story hallway and studied the antiques. I regretted not taking an upstairs guest room. This is the floor where guests slept 100 years ago, after arriving to Post by train. It was fun to imagine. We peeked in a few open rooms. I spotted a claw footed tub under a chandelier. That must be what the website meant, when they used the word elegant.
The little kitchen area wasn't elegant, but it had fun, retro features and a handy microwave and fridge. I sort of kicked myself that we'd chosen a first floor room. It would have been less awkward being the only guests, if we'd been on the second floor. The Garden We gave up waiting for the weather to cool. I stepped out to check on the garden and Don gathered some ice and beverages.  The brochure said, "Time outside is pleasant in the lighted waterfall garden." That sounded nice. But I could see the host family's addition had invaded on some of the guest space. I wasn't totally clear if the patio was for the owners, or the guests.  I noticed festive lights, wrapping the trees' trunks and branches. I hoped the garden would be pleasant when the sun went down. Sadly, the waterfall was dry and the patio chairs were covered in bird droppings. I headed down towards the less shaded deck. I almost tripped over a black hose that snaked over the walk... and that's when I noticed dog dishes the messy gravel. It was clearly a dog poop zone. I felt like I'd walked into someone's private backyard. Nice! I headed down towards the newish deck near the rear of the yard. I spotted more hanging lights. That made the idea of sitting out after sunset, more inviting.  I noticed an open gate on the back fence. I peeked in and saw an above ground pool, which is a little odd for a B&B. But I was wilting at that moment and the water looked welcoming. Then I pondered over the confusing words on the small sign. I determined that the pool was off limits to guests. Oh well. Don would be arriving with cold drinks soon. Cheers to Post! Don and I rarely turn down a hotel patio or porch, even in rain, or scorching heat. We were determined to make a toast to our hotel's history, which we knew nothing about.  We snapped a photo with the camera timer. If we'd waited a moment longer, we could have asked Ms. T to take the photo, when she appeared from a backdoor. She seemed a little startled to see us on the deck. Or maybe she was perplexed, that we'd moved the chairs into the shade. As our host headed into the pool area, I quickly asked an important question. "Will the front door be locked if we come back late from dinner?" She answered without pausing. "It will be unlocked till 10." As she closed the gate behind her she added, "If you're later, just knock." Hmm? Luckily we had no big plans in Post that night. Fly Friends Don and I enjoyed our cold beverages while we listened to splashing sounds behind the fence. (swimming or pool cleaning?) We were amused by the flies that enjoyed Happy Hour with us. They reminded us that we were out in Texas cow/ranch country.  10 minutes later, Ms. T exited the pool area. I slowed her down with another question about the waterfall. As I feared the water feature was out of commission. Oh well. Post in the Evening Don and I actually had a great time on the deck. We did some history research on our phones and I got more curious the town. As the sun lowered, we headed off down Main Street. We had the Post to ourselves.  Post actually has a somewhat bizarre connection to C.W. Post, of cereal fame. In the early 1900's Mr. Post bought land in the area, with some of his fortune. He attempted to create a Utopian community, with tidy homes and trees. The town would have no liquor or brothels. He worked at his dream for less than a decade, but ended up taking his own life in 1914. Sometimes history is sobering. Buildings and Bricks We had a fun time wandering the quiet town. We didn't see any perfect little houses anywhere, but we found interesting buildings. The old Post Dispatch looked like it had the same rounded glass block, as our hotel.
The Tower Theatre looked like it had the similar brick work as The Garza. The town had a lot of tan brick, because Mr. Post's Scottish stone masons evidently liked working with them. Too Quiet We wandered to dinner and admired the impressively wide brick streets. A job done by WPA during the depression, I believe.  It was 7:30 on a Saturday night. Stores were closed and we saw no one. I wanted to see a tumbleweed roll over those bricks! To & From Dinner We paused a couple times, so I could pose with the colorful sign and an oil pump. The working pump reminded me why the town had a pungent oil odor. We ate at George's, which was the only open restaurant. Greek-Mexican-BBQ! We meandered back down the empty, lonely street. The hotel was just as quiet. I peeked out to the garden and saw only one glowing strand of patio lights. We opted to enjoy our a.c. and a little TV. Morning By morning the temps had lowered and our moods had lifted. We were up and showered by 7, but the breakfast window was 8:30 to 9:15. We arrived 10 minutes early to grab coffee. I hoped the morning vibe would feel more relaxed and we could end up chatting with our hosts.  But Ms. T was busy setting up the buffet. She looked up and I assured her we were just grabbing coffee. We left the buffet table alone and happily took our mugs to the couches. Pre-Breakfast Encounter! We were not the only guests as it turns out. We met Bill who was getting early coffee just like us. He looked like someone we just needed to have a chat with. We introduced ourselves and he gave Don a firm handshake and solid eye contact. (Don noted) I reached out and Bill took my hand and tipped his hat. I was honored.  Turns out that Bill was "born and raised" in Post and was back visiting with his wife. He was the perfect person to fill us in on history. Not only did Bill have years of memories (he was about a decade older than me) but he was enthused and personable and definitely stylish, in his ostrich boots! The Hotel Bill chuckled about how wild Post was, back in the day. He teased that he knew that, since he had been one of the outlaws. He later got into law enforcement and knew quite a bit about our hotel in its darker years.  I looked at the tidy hotel and tried to picture the space when it was vacant. (1970's?) Then I imagined the folks who made the empty hotel their home. Bill said that at one point, a "Lady of the Night" moved in. (He made sure I knew what that meant) Then the teenage boys in town started coming around and the law had to get involved. The hotel became vacant again. Eventually the hotel had a rebirth when the Plummers bought the property in 1991. Current owners have been here about a decade. Pondering Post After a good chat, Bill's wife joined him for breakfast. Don and I enjoyed ours, while we thought about all we'd learned. We pictured the town as Bill described it. He told us stories that his parents had told him. What a fun connection with a local!  We wondered what would have happened to CW Post's town, if he'd been happier and healthier and lived longer. That's something we didn't discuss with Bill. Oh how I wish I could have had 3 hours with Bill. Good-bye Garza & Good-bye Post After breakfast we headed off. There was no formal check out, but I called to Ms. T behind the buffet table partition.. Told her we had a nice time and were on our way. I hope she heard me. It was a pretty morning and we drove all over town. Post has about 5,000 residents, but I actually don't remember seeing one. We drove all over the little town and I felt myself oddly connected to the curious place. (click pics to enlarge) We saw the old train station and the Sanitarium, which is now a museum. We stopped to see the old site, where Postex Cotton Mill had been! We learned of a random family connection, when we read about Ely Walker Dry Goods buying the mill in the 1940s. "Ely & Walker" is part of my family history, as well as both Bush presidents. My Triple Great Uncle, Frank Ely was in business with G.W. Bush's Great Great Grandfather, David Davis Walker! There you have it. What's Notable? Initially I felt a little disappointed. The hotel was actually fine, but there was nothing that made it stand out. When that is the case, it's the people you meet that make the hotel stay memorable. I wanted some inside scoop to help me remember our stay. Or something funny or thought provoking! But I wasn't getting anywhere with our hosts. That's okay. This is the third pandemic summer. I'll give them a break. We never know what's going on in people's lives.  I do know that I'll have fond memories now. Our visit with Bill did the trick. So, I'll remember The Garza as a simple and decent hotel, where we met a wonderful local and absorbed some entertaining history... that led to family history!
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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
November 2024
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