Archive for the ‘East Texas’ Category

Experience a Texas Biker Rally in Jefferson

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

The second annual Route 49 Biker Rally is taking place March 22-24 in Jefferson Texas. Join in the fun with a Poker Run, Biker Games, Bike Show, Ms. Route 49 Contest, Live Music and Diamond Dons meet and greet bbq. All proceeds go to the Jefferson Railway and Wetlands foundation and the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. The rally takes place at the Diamond Don & Cypress Bayou RV park, 1602 Hwy 49 east.

Tickets for the Route 49 Biker Rally

Saturday Only Passes

  • Passenger & Rider: $15
  • Rider only: $10

 

Weekend Passes:

  • Rider & Passenger: $40
  • Rider only: $30
  • VIB (Very Important Biker) All-inclusive pass: $100
  • RV Driver Registration: $30
  • RV Passenger Tickets: $10

Get all the details on the Route 49 Rally website.

Entertainment at the Rally

Saturday evening is casino night, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Aside from the other events, there will be live music. The bands for the Rally include:

  • Doctor Doctor – Rock ‘n’ Roll cover band
  • The Chris LeBlanc Band
  • The East Texas Garage Band – Classic rock cover band
  • 84 aB Band – artistic rock ‘n’ roll band

See the full schedule online.

Lodging and Transportation for the Biker Rally

In an effort to make sure everyone can enjoy the beer garden and get back to their B&B or hotel safely, the New Route 49 Rally Bus will be in use to transport attendees to and from, each day of the festival.

We have one member bed and breakfast in Jefferson and several in the surrounding area. Explore which Texas bed and breakfast you would like to stay in!

2013 Route 49 Rally Raffle Prize

The prize this year is a 2001 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. The winner will be announced Saturday at 2 p.m. on the main stage of the Diamond Don RV park. Winner need not be present to win.

 

The East Texas Pipe Organ Festival

Sunday, October 28th, 2012

If you have a love for organ music, or the solemnity of the church sanctuary, this event is just for you.

The East Texas Pipe Organ Festival is a four-day festival taking place November 11-15, 2012. Cities involved include Kilgore, Longview and Nacogdoches. The festival features four Aeolian-Skinner pipe organs designed and tonally finished by Roy Perry.

The festival begins on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. with an organ recital by Bradley Welch on the magnificent 1951 Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1174 at First Baptist Church in Longview, Texas.

East Texas Churches participating in the Pipe Organ Festival:

  • First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore
  • St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kilgore
  • First Baptist Church in Longview
  • First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches

 Featured Performers:

  • Jeremy Bruns
  •  Charles Callahan
  •  Ken Cowan
  •  Scott Davis
  •  Richard Elliott
  •  David Ford
  •  Ann Frohbieter
  • Christopher Houlihan
  • Christopher Jennings
  • Thomas Murray
  •  Larry Palmer
  •  Walt Strony
  • Brett Valliant
  • Bradley Welch

There will be special presentations and exhibits honoring the life and career of concert organist Alexander Boggs Ryan.

Schedule of Events at East Texas Pipe Organ Festival:

Monday, November 12:

Lunch on your own The Back Porch Restaurant Kilgore, Texas

2:00 p.m. Special Event: Charles Callahan and Larry Palmer Lecture/Class: Composers We Have Known. At St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kilgore.

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Piney Woods Wine Trail

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
East Texas Wineries.

Discover the wines of East Texas on the Piney Woods Wine Trail.

The Piney Woods Wine Trail stretches across East Texas. It is best traveled slowly, in stages. Meander from one Texas Winery to the next, tasting, touring, and appreciating the beauty of the land. Break up your days with long lunches. Spend each night at a different East Texas Bed and Breakfast.

Sounds like a pretty nice vacation, doesn’t it?

Given the vast area it covers, the Piney Woods Wine Trail has been divided into four Wine Roads: the North East Wine Road, Central Wine Road, South West Wine Road, and North West Wine Road. Read on to learn a bit more about each.

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East Texas is in Bloom

Sunday, March 25th, 2012
Azalea Trail Tyler Texas

Ah, azaleas. They're in bloom right now in Tyler, Texas.

Spring means azaleas and dogwoods and tulips and wisteria in East Texas. It’s a wonderful time to spend a few days in an East Texas Bed and Breakfast.

The Azalea Trail is in full bloom right now in Tyler, Texas. This celebration of spring flowers lasts through April 8, 2012. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to spend as much time as possible appreciating flowers.

  • Take the Tyler State Park Dogwood Days Driving and Walking Tour.
  • Walk the Azalea Trail through town.
  • Stroll through the Main Street Flower Market.
  • Admire orchids at the Central East Texas Orchid Market.

 

If it can bloom in spring, it will be celebrated in and around Tyler Texas. Leave your allergies at home (or bring your allergy medicine), and come celebrate spring in East Texas.

 

Archers Descend on Paris, Texas

Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Summer lilys

The Paris, Texas Eiffel Tower. It simply has to be seen.

Under different circumstances, it would be troubling to hear that men and women armed with bows and arrows were headed to Paris, Texas. In reality, it’s fun.

As it has for the past couple of years, Paris, Texas will once again host the annual Delta Southwest Shoot Out on March 23-25, 2012. Archers are encouraged to make their lodging plans soon; we hope archers will consider staying in Paris, Texas Bed and Breakfasts.

Archer or not, Paris, Texas is worth a visit. Main Street is hopping these days, with quirky shops, tasty eateries, and interesting art galleries. The architecture is historic and attractive, and it’s a pleasure to stroll down the street, window shopping or shopping for real.

Then there’s the Eiffel Tower. You can spend thousands of dollars to fly to France and see the “real” thing, or you can spend considerably less, drive to Paris, Texas, and see the next best thing. We may be biased, but we like ours; the cowboy hat is a nice touch.

Tournament information is available at Archery Shooters Association.

Fall Colors in East Texas

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Backlit sweet gum leaf, yellow orange and red

Look for colorful fall foliage on Sweet Gum Trees in East Texas.

It isn’t necessary to travel to New England to find glorious fall colors. Leaves on Sweet Gums become orange. Maple leaves turn a brilliant shade of red and Oak leaves turn a delicate yellow. These colors stand out against the dark evergreen pines that stand among them. The effect is startling, beautiful.

In short, autumn is an excellent time to vacation in East Texas Bed and Breakfasts.

Fall is a glorious time to travel through East Texas, hopping from one East Texas Bed and Breakfast to the next. Travel by automobile or by bike along Highway 14 from Tyler to Winnsboro. The rolling hills are great fun on a bicycle. Or take Highway 16 from Lindale to Winona, then on to Highway 271.

There is plenty to do along the way in addition to admiring the pretty foliage. Peruse antique stores in Gladewater, visit the Prayer Tower in Pittsburg, and stop by the Lindale Candy Company to satisfy your sweet tooth. You may want to rent a boat and explore Lake Palestine, in order to admire the reflections of colorful trees.

It’s still hot in Texas these days, but cooler weather is coming. Plan to be comfortably ensconced in an East Texas Bed and Breakfast when it arrives.

Photo Credit: East Texas Tourism

Sunday, July 31st, 2011
Key Limmmmmmmme

Delicious Key Lime Pie ....

One of the best ways to keep cool on a hot summer Texas day is to duck into a restaurant and enjoy a nice, long meal. If you happen to be staying in a Tyler Texas Bed and Breakfast, you’re in luck, for there is some tasty food close at hand.

Fat Catz Louisiana Kitchen boasts, as they say, the Best Cajun Food West of Louisiana. Start with the Cajun Crab Cakes served over sauteed crawfish with pico de gallo. Move on to Blackened Catfish with dirty rice, then cool your palate with a slice of Key Lime Pie.

It’s best to go to Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Que with a hearty appetite. Try the Brother-in-law sandwich, bursting with grilled hot link, cheese, and chopped beef. Or go for the Big Swimmer, with pan seared tilapia, cheddar cheese, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato. They also serve full slab plates of Baby Back Ribs, tacos, and meat by the pound.

If you prefer lighter fare or amazing baked goods, head to Chez Bazan, a French Bakery and Cafe. They offer crepes, a variety of quiche, soups, and salads. Save room for dessert.

Best of all, break your fast at your Tyler Texas Bed and Breakfast.

Golf in East Texas

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

There are excellent golf courses in Northeast Texas, less than two hours from the heart of Dallas. When the need to walk the green hits, throw your clubs in the car and head to an East Texas Bed and Breakfast. Read on to learn more about two favorite East Texas Golf Courses.

Lake Fork Golf Course is an 18 hole semi-private course designed by Williams and Gill. It is close to both Tyler Texas Bed and Breakfasts and Quitman TX Bed and Breakfasts. Fairways are relatively short and challenging, greens are a fairly large. Some of what makes the Lake Fork challenging is also what makes it beautiful: thousands of trees including native oak, persimmon, pecan and magnolia; and 15 water hazards. The course sits on the West Banks of the Lake Fork Reservoir, which is called the Bass Capital of Texas; you may want to bring your fishing poles, too. See Lake Fork Golf Course for additional information.

Garden Valley Golf Club is a lovely course designed by John Sanford, located about 20 miles northwest of Tyler Texas Bed and Breakfasts. This course has been named “The Augusta National of Texas”, a moniker that is not given lightly. It is a beautiful place with rolling greens, towering pine trees, and colorful dogwoods and azaleas. The Dogwood Course is as challenging to play as it is lovely to look at – and that’s saying something. In the mood for a blind shot to the green? Try the par-5 fifth hole. Like to hit over the water? The par-4 third hole awaits. Is it thrilling for you to look for your ball in a clump of azaleas? The par-3 fourth hole is for you. You get the picture. See Garden Valley Golf Club for additional information.

No matter what happens on the fairway, you’ll be pampered at your inn of choice. Start each day with a sumptuous breakfast (you’ll burn calories every time you hit the ball). Conclude each day with a glass of something refreshing on the porch.

East Texas is Blooming

Monday, March 14th, 2011

East Texas is blooming. This is a wonderful time of year to visit East Texas, for a spontaneous weekend getaway or a more lengthy vacation.Three unique spots alone are worth the trip: Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden in Gladewater, the Tyler Azalea Trail, and the Nacogdoches Azalea Trail.

Visit East Texas to see azaleas in bloom.

Midway between Tyler TX Bed and Breakfasts and Jefferson Texas Bed and Breakfast Inns is Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden, a floral paradise open each spring when the daffodils are in bloom. The daffodils are spread out over more than 800-acres: under trees, surrounding a log cabin, and along the edges of the lake, pond, and waterfall. (more…)

East Texas Antiques

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

There are hundreds of wonderful antique shops tucked in the small towns of East Texas, each bearing treasures. Dedicated antiquers should plan an East Texas Bed and Breakfast vacation with the goal of scouring every antique store in this corner of the state. Read on for a list of some “not to be missed” East Texas Antique stores, but remember, this is only the start. (more…)