Rose Petals to Horse Manure – Marshall and Tyler TX

Rose Petals to Horse Manure – Marshall and Tyler TX

 

We had planned a few days in Tyler Texas for no other reason then it is along the way. Small towns always have surprises.  Five Star RV park was a nice place to be.  We had a nice spot with very nice wooded trails for Brady; full of fun varmints to chase. 

 

Tyler is a picture perfect small town.  Our first stop was to the Chamber of Commerce to get a travel map and plan. 

 

Don’t miss the (tour cost - donations only) Goodman-LeGrand House.  Starting as a small one story house on 9 acres in 1859, it grew to become a Texas Colonial in 1880.  Two of the memories that made this a fun stop were all of the original homeowner items are still here. The Owner donated the house and contents to the city as a museum– to protect it from money grubbing nieces and nephews.  The second was the excitement level of the cute young docent whom truly loved this house and family.  She was delighted to show us her favorite items and share their history.

 

 

 

*Fine China was throughout this home.  How ever the most impressive was the hand painted china made by the lady of the house

                                                                   *Note the tiny added dots to the rim.

Did I mention there are 96 pieces to the collection

*The Goodman - LaGrand Garden

Surprise Surprise – Tyler is Rose Capital.  The Rose Garden is 14 acres of bloomed, blooming or to bloom buds.  The day we were there preparations for the high school prom in the conference center had started and wedding chairs had been set up in the court yard.  Photographers were everywhere.  With this activity it was still a beautiful quiet meandering site.  In full operation since 1952 the garden has roses of every description and patent.  Yes, some even still smell like roses.  This is a free visit. $5.00 if you would like to see the gowns of past Rose Queens (I was satisfied with the view from the hall)

 

 We had missed the annual Azalea festival (21 March – 6 April). We are told we MUST come back next year to see it.   We just might!

 

It was easy to take time to visit the local Veterans Monument. The last stop of the day was Camp Ford.  This was a Civil War Prisoner of War camp.  The site has been very well recovered by Smith County Historical Society.  It was expected that the prisoners had to build their own houses.  This worked well for the first ones in and very poor when the trees were cleared.  Prisoners were expected to set up their own society, growing food and providing medical care. They even published a news letter.

*The two remaining POW residences

 

We were happy to say “Yes” to a lunch invitation from Florida friends Dave and Carol.   They have a lovely lake property in Maybank TX.  This drive was our first opportunity to see the Texas Piney Woods country side.  Green rolling hills dotted with cattle, horses and wild flowers.  Dave and Carol cued us to the ins and outs for driving in Dallas.  Thanks to them, we were later able to see sights and trim time off of traffic backs ups with confidence.  Their puppers Bella, and Brady had a nice chance to play, share chew bones and nap having a great doggy day.  It was surely a great people day too!

 

Karma Farms in Marshall was such a super experience for me. The owner, Vic, has dedicated most of her life to preserving the Spanish mustang.  I was enchanted and amazed at the knowledge this woman has.   She introduced us to her stallions while we helped her feed. All are registered as Spanish Mustangs.  They carry the blood typing and equine markers dating back to the horses brought by ship from Spain.  These horses are so friendly and huggable.  This farm has been in Vics family for over 100 years.  She does have some help but manages the property and animals mostly by herself.             This would be a perfect place for me to happily throw hay and brush manes for the rest of my life.  As she and I were getting ready to ride, Vic got a call about a hurt horse.  She looked at me and said “So you can ride?” I said “yes”.  And off we went at a gallop, across the field, through a river, up the bank until we found the injured horse.  The horse was fine.  She had just received a kick causing a limp.  But I had just had a cowboy dream event come to life.  The property is beautiful.                   We wandered in and out of her herds, (most are for sale at very resonable prices) she talked about the individual mares and yearlings. Because I was interested, she explained different plants and flowers and landmarks. Vic conducts camps and rides and general education about her horses throughout the community. In talking with her, she shared that she has written two books and is writing another. Also she has ridden on many endurance rides here and in Australia.  I loved this day and was so happy Vic took extra time out for us.  I am a horse owner so it's easy for me to be bored with trail horses. But during this entire visit I couldn't help but feel that this was a special experience.

 

*Vic talking about shoulder pitch and distance rides

*Meet Star Woman

* She may think she is a horse

*Yes I may have an different idea of fun.  Ok where is the manure fork?

*So this is what happen when you have too many trophys

 

16 MAY 2014

************************************************************************

Happy to be back on the Road – Gulfport and Natchez Mississippi

************************************************************************  

 

Happy to be back on the Road – Gulfport and Natchez Mississippi

 

We have enjoyed living, making friends and moving my horse Sophie in Zephyrhills Florida.         We had been here for 18 months and we do feel like Floridians.  However, the travel bug kept growing.  So west we go.  We have planned for about 7 months of 5^th wheel travel give or take.

(Last Check before we hit the road)

 

We had a nice overnight stay outside Tallahassee.  We had to say an early “Goodbye” to one flooded park to happily travel to Arrowhead Campsites.  The next morning we are off to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi area for a few days.  It was October 2011 since we had been here and we’re happy to see more businesses open and land cleared from Katrina.  One of the happiest changes I saw was the new life on one of the boulevard sculpted oaks.  It was symbolic that you can never count survivors out. 

 

 (Crawfish, Crawdads or mud bugs... No matter what they are good eats)

( we can be down but don't count us out.  Oak tree coming back from the dead)

Our plan (if you could ever say we had a plan) was to move on to New Orleans   But Wait!! A Friend mentioned “if you are in Mississippi you must go to Natchez.”  So off we go.

 

Natchez is located right on the Mississippi River.  We stayed across the river at River View RV Resort, Vidalia Louisiana.  It is a perfect river front location, with a paved river walk, River Paddle Boats (they sound like a far off train in the middle of the night) and plenty of room for Brady to play.

Natchez is known for Antebellum Mansions (Defined as big ol fancy houses built before the Civil War).  Money came to this area via cotton and slave trade.  The reason so many still stand is due to the speedy concession to the Yankees.   They are still beautiful because of the efforts of the Ladies Garden Club.  In 1932 the Garden Club Ladies struck the notion that people would be interested in how the people of Natchez live.  Twice yearly they host the “Pilgrimage”.  Select private homes are opened to the public to show case the life of High Southern charm and quality.  Many homes are open year round.  Many are B&Bs, and fine dinning.  The city is mapped out for convenient walking tours.  One of the most striking observations is the pride of ownership throughout this area. 

( (follow these brass markers to easily see this beautiful town)

 

 

(I loved the rarity of this Chalet. It didn't quite fit here.  I noticed that an unintended shark mouth hidden in the wood work)

 

 

 

 (Big or small pride of ownership was everywhere)        ( If you are going to list.......why not Sothebys)

 

We always enjoy the reverence of local and national cemeteries.  So visits here are always a must for us.( I love the wrought iron work throughout this  Cemetery)

                                                                                                  (The Turning Angel)

(We honor your service)                                                                                                          

 

Outside of town is Jefferson College.  Built in 1802, it has also been a preparatory and a military school.  Now closed, Jefferson College is open to the public using private donations.  The best part of this visit was our picnic lunch and hiking the rustic wooded trail (making this a great afternoon). 

 

I had my hopes up to eat at Mammy’s Cupboard.  It just looked to quirky not to try.  Sadly Mammy does not take debit cards.  Just down the street to “Roux 61” for great gumbo and gator cheese cake. 

 

Two national parks to visit are The Emerald Mounts and Melrose Historical Park

 

The Emerald Mounts are burial grounds for many Mississippi Valley native populations. The current belief is, mounds are created by building a leaders home on the site of the previous leaders home. When that leader dies he or she is buried and their home is burn on that location. Then the next leaders home is built on that site. ( no pictures - it was just a lumpy grass field - cool visit though)

 

 

 

Melroseis a Greek Revival mansion. The estate has beautiful rolling lawns, flower gardens, stables (no horses, just carriages) and slave quarters. The majority of the furnishings are original to the house which adds to the wonderful authentic feel. The park ranger that conducted the tours was great at his job and very knowledgeable.

 

 

 ( Still a bit of reno going on)                                                                      (sho fly fan above the dinnng table)                                                     

(Carpet was made to match the original painted oil cloth floor covering)

 

 

Our last stop was at the Delta Music Museum.  It is located in the old post office in Ferriday LA.  The museums original purpose was to high light home town cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Reverend Jimmy Swaggart. Who knew they were cousins? Well I sure didn’t!  Other Delta Valley talent and Musicians are now part of the tour. (Added so the museum could receive state funding)  Our lovely volunteer guide enthusiastically shared stores and history of the cousins then let us continue self-paced though the rest of the exhibits and to view a short film.  This was a great free stop.

 

Natchez is one of those places that deserves and will get return visits from us.  Thanks Celia!!

 

Oh and not to be missed - Drive thru take away Frozen Daiquiris and Margaritas!!

 

9 May 2014

*********************************************************************