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New Gator Park in Uncertain Texas

August 8th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Gator (1)

 

Gator (2)

 

This past weekend, we had the honor of hosting my mom and niece here at the Carriage House B&B.  It is always nice to have family come visit us.  We love getting the chance to catch up with them and the chance to play tourist here in Jefferson.

I think the biggest thrill for us all this weekend was going to Captain Ron’s Gator Park in Uncertain, Texas.  Captain Ron is a dear friend of ours and he gave us a grand tour of his new gator park and petting zoo Friday afternoon.  If you are thinking that you don’t remember this place last time you were here, it is because it just  opened a few weeks ago.  We will be recommending this place from this point on.  This is one of those experiences that you can only get here in the swamps.

The petting zoo is full of unusual and unique varieties of chickens, goats, turtles, pigs, and birds.  But the biggest thrill of all is the gigantic pond teaming with alligators.

Captain Ron held off on feeding them until we got there.  As soon as these primitive beasts saw the chicken on the bamboo pole, the water came alive.  It was obvious that the large gator was the alpha male of the pond.  He tried his best to keep the others away from the feeding area and only a few of the brave and nearly as large gators even dared to come close.  We all stood in awe as these large beasts jumped straight up and out of the water to snatch the chicken right off of the pole.

Since the show, Swamp People, started airing on TV, we have had several people come out to Jefferson and want the “Swamp People” experience.    You do not have to run all the way down to Louisiana’s bayou country to have a Swamp People vacation.  Caddo Lake is a one tank getaway from most of Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.  

I will get everything set up for you.  We will send you deep into the dark and mystical swamps in a go devil in search of gators in the wild and get you up close, and personal to a gator feeding on chickens.  At the end of the day, we will send you to a restaurant where you can sit under Bald Cypress trees draped in Spanish Moss and eat some fried gator.  By the end of the weekend, you will be able to say “Choot ’em,Liz”, and smile at the memories.

Give me a call at 903-665-9511 to book your Swamp People vacation.

 

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Where’s Waldo…I mean Gator?

August 6th, 2011 by carriagehouse

 

Here is a fun puzzle for a hot Saturday.  Find the Gator in this picture.  Somewhere in the lily pads is Alley Gator floating by.  Can you find him?  “Don’t Choot em Liz”

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Play-cation…Jefferson Texas Style

August 5th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Caddo Lake

Ugh!  It is the dog days of Summer and the heat has gotten everyone down.  There is only one place that I want to be this time of year…in the water.  Fortunately for me (and for you), Jefferson sits right smack in the middle of two lakes.  There is plenty of water action to keep me wet and cool this incredibly hot summer.

About 20 minutes to west of Jefferson is Lake o’ the Pines with it’s open waters and beautiful Pine Tree covered hill sides.  Lake o’ the Pines is a perfect destination for boaters and fisherman alike.  After a long hot day on the water, you can enjoy one Lake o’ the Pines many beaches and swim or enjoy a romantic picnic.

About 20 minutes to east of Jefferson is the ethereal and mysterious Caddo Lake.  Covered by moss draped Bald Cypress trees, you can spend hours drifting in and out of the many bayous and sloughs on this otherworldly lake.    This location is so beautiful and unique that many different movies have been filmed here, and once you have seen this eerie swamp, you will no why.

Don’t forget that the Carriage House B&B is running a Kitchen Remodeling Special.  $79 for any room, any night.  Since the kitchen is the room that is being remodeled, we are unable to serve breakfast.   This is $60 savings over our regular rate.

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Update on the Painting of the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast

August 4th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Last week, the painters were busy scrapping all of the old paint off and we laughed at how awful the place looked.  We kept calling it Jefferson Shabby Chic.  I guess we just figured it just couldn’t get worse…wrong.  This week, the painters came in and put brown butcher paper over the windows of the main house so that they can prime and paint.  So now we are saying the house has that nice abandoned property look. You can see that it’s explained here how to get a paint contractor.

Our painters from InsideOut Painting company have been working amazingly hard the last two weeks. You can click here to find the best interior painters near me. When you consider that it has been 108 to 111 degrees every day this week and they have worked ALL day long, we can agree they have done an impressive job.  I keep going out and checking on them to make sure that they are alright and not lying unconscious in my yard from a heat stroke. For more painting options and professional painting services, see here

This past week, they finished scraping and priming the whole house.  They are now sanding down any unfinished edges or burrs and then they will put another coat of primer on it tomorrow.  Next week, we will start painting.  I can’t wait for all y’all to see the new and improved Carriage House B&B.

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Ways to Escape the Heat in Jefferson Texas

August 4th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Historic Jefferson Museum

It is miserably hot here and everywhere else in the South.  It is hard to believe that it can get this hot anywhere outside of the Sahara Desert.  This has been one of the most brutal and unforgiving summers that I have ever lived through.  Last night at 8pm, my thermometer read 104 degrees.

A photographer friend of mine keeps posting pictures that he took in last winter’s snow storms on Facebook.  I stare at them and dream of cooler and much wetter days.  My soul needs a rainy day.  So I sat down and thought of ways to cool down this weekend.  Here is my list.  Tell me whatcha think.

– Eat a Blue Bell Ice Cream store from the Jefferson General Store.  Our general store still has an old fashioned Soda Fountain so you can cool off and be nostalgic all at the same time.  If you aren’t in the mood for a cone,  how about a root beer float?  Just think how good you will sleep when you come off your sugar high.

– Take a dip at one of the many beaches at Lake o’ the Pines.   Seriously, there is no better way to cool down then by jumping in the water and Lake o’ the Pines is one of the prettiest lakes in East Texas.

– Take a ride in a go-devil on Caddo Lake.  I will even help you set this one up.  Imagine how much cooler you will feel with the wind blowing through you hair as your boat skips across the swamps and bayous.

– Spend a day in the air conditioned comfort of our many museums including the Jefferson Historical Museum.  This beautiful red brick building was built in 1890 and has been both a federal courthouse and a post office.  Today it is one of the most interesting museums in all of East Texas.

We only have a few rooms left here at the Carriage House B&B.   Don’t forget that we are running a construction special while we restore and remodel the kitchen, we used the concrete repair specialists near me option to find some of the best experts out there!

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August 3rd, 2011 by carriagehouse

Water Lily

JEFFERSON, TEXAS

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

AUGUST 4-7, 2011

*     “INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF DIFFERING CULTURES OF CHRISTIANITY”

Performed by:  Dan & Charlotte Smelser on period and ethnic instruments

Sunday, August 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

Location:  1st Methodist Church, 305 W. Henderson

(903) 665-3268

 

*       AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT

Thursday,  August 4:  “Karaoke”  @ 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Friday,  August 5:  “Auntie Skinner’s has Talent” Preliminary Round III @ 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 6:  “8-Track”  (Classic Rock N’Roll)  9:00pm-1:00 a.m.

(903) 665-7121

 

*        KARAOKE

Saturday, August 6 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight

Location:  The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin

(903) 601-2211

 

*      BINGO!

Location:  Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK

Each Monday in August @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Prizes & refreshments  -Free-

(903) 472-841

 

*      TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS

200 Bayou St.

Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.

Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

(Weather permitting)

Closed:  Sunday & Monday

(903) 665-2222

www.jeffersonbayoutours.com

*      LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON

Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon

Specializing in weddings

Friday-Sunday, August 5-7

(Weather permitting)

Groups and special events available by appointment

Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)

(903) 926-8216

www.jeffersontexascarriage.com

Call for reservations

 

*     JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER

122 E. Austin

Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more

By reservation

(903) 926-5167

www.JeffersonPedalPower.com

*        HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY

* Friday, August 5 @ 8:00 p.m. –  Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train

(Note:  due to heat conditions, the train may not run on Friday evening.  Final

determination will be made each Friday @ 5:00 p.m.  Please call to confirm.

Saturday, August 6 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)

7:00 p.m. – Free Crafts & Carnival

8:00 p.m. –  Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train

(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038

www.JeffersonRailway.com

 

*       LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM

112 W. Lafayette

Friday & Saturday, August 5-6 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

(903) 240-6180

Call for additional tours

 

*      CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR

403 N. Walnut

(903) 665-7888

www.culbersonhousebandb.com

*  By reservation.  Call for tour times

*    HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR

409 S. Alley

Daily @ 11:00 a.m.

(903) 665-8000

      Reservations required

www.houseoftheseasons.com

 

*    SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR

401 Soda St.

Saturday, August 6 @ 1:00 p.m.

(903) 665-3938  (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232

Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times

 

*   THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR

405 Moseley

Saturday, August 6 @ 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

(903) 665-8018

www.thegrove-jefferson.com

Call to confirm tour

*   EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR

211 W. Austin

Tours:  Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.

(903) 665-2513

Call to confirm tour times

www.theexcelsiorhouse.com

 

*   JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM

223 W. Austin

Open daily:  9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

(903) 665-2775

www.jeffersonmuseum.com

 

*    H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS

359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729

Open:  Sunday-Friday (Closed:  Saturday)

(903) 665-2238

Reservations required

www.hddeerfarmtours.homestead.com

*   THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE

Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Sunday & Monday:  Closed

Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior  reservation

Location:  Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-2238

www.gracefulghost.com

Call for reservations & additional tours

 

*  BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE

Location:  Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-3213

Call for reservations

www.caddoguideservice.com

 

*   CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS

Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake

Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138

Call for reservations

www.caddooutback.com

 

*   CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”

Uncertain, TX

(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101

Open:  Tuesday-Saturday

Closed:  Sunday & Monday

Call for reservations

www.caddolakepaddlewheeltours.com

 

*   JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY

301 W. Lafayette

Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Closed:  Sunday

(903) 665-8911

www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com

Free internet access

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What me…Relax? 3 steps to a summer relaxcation

July 29th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Winery

So it is almost August and you still haven’t taken your summer vacation.  The stress of the heat and the chaos of the big city has got you down.  Why don’t you plan your escape to the quiet green forests and slower pace of natural looking home notes – Houston?  Take a hard look around.  It is time for you to take a relax-cation!

I’ll even make it easy for you to plan it.  Here are three simple steps to help you plan your trip to Jefferson and to the beauty of East Texas

STEP 1 – Reserve your room at the Carriage House B&B for your getaway .  Now is a perfect time to get away and leave the big city heat islands for shade under our tall trees.  If you can’t break away right now then start planning a Fall escape.  In a few months, our forests will rival New England’s when the Autumn colors arrive in October and November.

STEP 2 – Let us know what type of activities you enjoy and we will help you plan your trip.  In fact, we will call and make all of your tour and dinner arrangements for you if you would like.  Like I said, this is about taking ALL of the stress out of your life.

STEP 3 – Slow Down (your pulse not your car)!  As you leave the concrete jungles and all of that stress behind, begin enjoying the natural beauty of the forests and rolling hills of East Texas.  Don’t forget to take a deep relaxing breath and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

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Cool Discoveries Made During the Kitchen Renovation

July 28th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Doorway

Old Doorway

Chimney

Old Chimney

You know when you live in an old house, there are always things you don’t know about your home.  The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast is no different.  So far, we have not discovered anything really bad during this kitchen renovation.  We have a portion of floor near where the sink used to be that needs to be replaced, but so far that is it.  What we have found that has surprised us is more structural.  It seems at one time there  was a chimney (and fireplace) and a door where there are none now.  Take a look at the photos above.

Has anyone else ever had a really cool discovery during renovations?

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Clown Week at the Historic Jefferson Railway

July 27th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Clowns, Carnival, Bigfoot and Trains – Great Summer Fun

Ghost Train

Photo by Sam Wilson

 Kids driving you crazy?  Bring them out to the Historic Jefferson Railway to celebrate National Clown Week on August 5 and 6, 2011.  Come aboard an authentic Steam Train taking you along the Cypress Bayou River in Jefferson, Texas.  The Circus Clowns will keep everyone busy with crafts and a backyard carnival – and prizes for all.

 Jefferson is a great “one-tank” getaway, nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and seems frozen in time.  There are over a hundred buildings in the city with historical markers. Many historic homes offer bed and breakfast accommodations.  Dozens of other historic buildings house museums, craft and antique shops and restaurants. Come for the day or spend the weekend.

The day train will depart at 2:30 and 4:30 on Saturday.  Participate in craft and carnival activities before and after each train.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the carnival and crafts will run from 7:00 – 8:00.  Listen to Jefferson Ghost Stories at 8:00, the jump on the infamous Ghost Train at 9:00.

Looking for a place to hang out in your RV, camper or tent?  Be sure to check out the Cypress Bayou RV Park, just one mile from Jefferson on the Big Cypress Bayou.  Secluded RV sites with electric and water surrounded by beautiful wooded acreage.  Observe the abundant wildlife and enjoy fishing and boating, as well as hiking and mountain biking on groomed trails. You can also buy complete AR-15 rifles there to hunt. The train runs through the RV Park passing several historic sites and artifacts of Jefferson’s bygone era.

Bigfoot (also known in these parts as the Boggy Creek monster) has been sighted running along the railroad tracks as the sun begins to set.  Is the tale of the Bigfoot sightings fact or fiction?

The Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy website says  “Jerry Hestand, Mark Porter and Charles DeVore investigated a number of cases in Marion County from reliable trustworthy people in or near these remote bottomlands.  It is their assessment that it seems highly likely that events have been reported accurately”.

The train rolls right by the home of the Boggy Creek monster as depicted in the upcoming horror movie, “Boggy Creek”, filmed in Jefferson and Uncertain.  The movie is loosely based on the old Big Foot or Sasquatch legends, says Brian T. Jaynes, director and producer.

So, are the sightings real or a spoof to enhance your rider experience?  You’ll have to ride the train to find out!

The Historic Jefferson Railway recreates the Golden Era of Steam railroading with narrated day trains.  Steam hissing, whistle blowing and pistons chuggin, Old Engine #7 will take you on a scenic trip along the Big Cypress Bayou.  As you roll through the history laden Piney Woods, you’ll view a Confederate Powder Magazine and traverse the site of one of the oldest, historical towns in Texas.

Start Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 with free Ghost Stories at the historic “haunted” train depot.  The story-teller will keep you at the edge of your seat as you hear stories about famous and not-so-famous Ghosts of Jefferson and Northeast Texas.

Then climb aboard the legendary Ghost Train at 9:00.  The Ghost Train carries you deep into the dark woods along the Bayou.  The narrator shares legends of Jefferson and East Texas ghosts and a story or two that will make you reach for your loved ones! Historic Jefferson Railway was nominated as one of the Best Excursion Railroad Theme Trains for its Ghost Train by the readers of Cowcatcher magazine for the First Annual 2009 Gold Rail Awards.

The Railway is a part of the thriving community of Jefferson sponsoring major events throughout the year that bring over 20,000 visitors to Jefferson. Riders look forward all year to Terror on the Bayou Fright Train, Rail of Lights Christmas & New Year’s Train as well as Diamond Don’s Riverport National Vintage Motocross and Trammel’s Trace Rendezvous.

The train was built in 1964 for Six Guns Territory in Florida and moved to Jefferson in 1986. It is a Crown Metals reproduction of the 1870’s American class  4-4-0 steam locomotive christened the Robert E. Lee.  The open car coach seats still carry the custom medallions cast into them designed especially for the Six Guns amusement park.

Historic Jefferson Railway is located at 400 E. Austin in Downtown Jefferson, Texas.  For information on pricing, schedule and events, please visit www.JeffersonRailway.com or call 866-398-2038 or visit the Carriage House Things to Do in Jefferson page

 August 5 and 6, 2011

Open air coach $12, plus tax

Children under 6 FREE

10% discount to Active Military & Seniors

 Come join us for Crafts, Carnival and Ghost Stories at the depot. 

 And IT’S FREE!

 Friday

Depot opens at 6:00

Free Crafts and Carnival at 7:00

Free Ghost Stories at 8:00

Ghost Train departs at 9:00

 Saturday

Depot opens at noon

Narrated Day Train departs at 2:30 and 4:30

Free Carnival and Crafts from 1:30 – 5:30 and 7:00 – 8:00

Free Ghost Stories at 8:00
Ghost Train departs at 9:00

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A Message Left For Me From the Past

July 26th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Kitchen Message

One of the things that we discussed through out the planning process of this kitchen renovation was “Discovery”.  It is an old house so we knew there were going to find surprises.  We anticipated that the plumbing was going to need to be updated or that the wiring was not in code.  What we were not expecting was a message left under the cabinets by one of the previous owners. 

So now I have a little mystery on my hands.  What does it mean?  I am taking that the 19 and 88 are supposed to be the year 1988 which means that the kitchen was 23 years old (not surprised).  But what does the rest of it mean?  

I love a good mystery.  Don’t you?

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