Adventure 244: Caddo Lake State Park/Jefferson, TX

P.M. Drive

A.M. Drive

With just a few Texas turn arounds (Pilot error: reading is a useful tool, especially road signs), we were on our way back to the East Texas piney woods. Actually, other than a long haul in terms of driving hours (5.5 hrs), the drive was extremely pleasant. East Texas, which in this neck of the woods is virtually Louisiana, is lush shades of green. Here at Caddo Lake, the moss drips off the cypress tress, and If you listen carefully, you can hear the chants of the Indians who used to live here. Unfortunately, we're still about a week away from the major magnolia bloom. Nonetheless, there is a mystical wildness about this place that is appealing. Before we left, I did manage to win all of the Houston Astros from Stumpy, even though she moved my peg, changed her crib cards after the hand had started, and claimed (Weakly) the innocence of a newbie. We got to Caddo Lake State Park about two, set up the trailer and wandered around the park until the mosquito invasion proved to be too much. They're bigger than squirrels around here and as plentiful as the tears of an ardent Zag fan. We opted to head into Jefferson, Texas, a place that claims to be the best example of antebellum Texas. If the number of historically registered buildings is any indication, I think they're right. We gleefully wandered the town, gawking at the pillared homes, the myriad of churches, and the insides of quaint business establishments. We really love small towns. It's refreshing to see them alive and well, especially considering the fact that those in our area are boarded up and forgotten. The historical society of Jefferson has actively registered most of the buildings and many of the homes in town in an effort to preserve them as well as boost tourism. Maybe Jefferson will return to it heyday when Steamboats were transporting goods up and down the river. Who knows? All I know is life is good, especially today.

 If way leads on to way, we'll come back here with enough time to take a boat tour on the lake.

 Me and Stumpy on the dock.

 Art shot of the cypress trees.

 This guy could care less about mosquitoes; he has shovel fish fever.

 Frac settled safely into site #42.

 Our picnic table, fire pit, and BBQ (I hope the skeeters enjoy the facilities).

 Hot rod of the day.

 Luxury train car (Now a tourist exhibit).

The classic Texas mansion has both plantation style pillars and a rod iron fence.

Fabulous buildingl, artfully maintained. Inside oozes with Southern charm.

 These two chandeliers (Purchased from the White House) hang in the sitting room of the Excelsior House, which has been in service continually since 1850.

 Downtown Jefferson (Taken from the beginning of the residential section).

 The Schüler House, built by one of the first six settlers in Jefferson.

 This house is called the Seasonal House because the cupola has stained glass windows representing the four seasons. (It wasn't open, but I'll wager the light from inside is marvelous. In addition, the ground floor windows are nearly eight feet tall.

 This little gasolineria (Now a coffee shop) is much like the one Judy lived in right after she was born. Her father Abe ran the gas station, and the family shared the bathroom with the customers.

 Abe may have gassed this baby up.

 With very little prodding, I guided us into the local Antique and fudge shop.

 This place is awesome! Much like the hardware store in Halstead, Kansas, this place is a throw back complete with a soda fountain, nostalgic memorabilia, and an upscale selection of trinkets, Tees, and sundries.

 One inside view of the Jefferson General Store.

 Our supper, Southern fried, was a bit uncertain.

 Uncertain, Texas. We didn't go. It was too iffy.

 Caddo Lake State Park, like most in East Texas, was built by CCC workers during the depression. I'm glad they did. In fact, I'm impressed in general with the Texas State Parks we've visited.