Travel Texas :: Mrs. Lee's Garden

 

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the bird for mirth,

You're nearer God's heart in a garden,

Than anywhere else on Earth."

Breathtaking and inspiring, Mrs. Lee's Garden showcases the beauty of Spring daffodils while delighting the senses of visitors. Open for just a brief moment (mid-February until the last blooms in March), Mrs. Lee's is a treat for the young and old.

 



Helen Lee's vision of golden hills stretches out approximately 28 acres and includes a 4 mile winding roadway, two lovely lakes, and a rustic cottage reminiscent of pioneer days.



The garden is open every day of the week during blooming season from 10am until 4pm. It is always a good idea to call ahead to ensure optimal road conditions, as it can be a little muddy at times.

 

While there is no cost to visit and enjoy the grounds, donations are always welcome to preserve and maintain Mrs. Lee's inspirational gift.



Nestled south of the little town of Gladewater, Mrs. Lee's Garden is located off of County Road 3103 and more information about the garden can be found here.

 



On our recent visit, the boys, Jake, and I enjoyed a lovely ramble through the countryside and were awestruck by the simple beauty of gold upon green. If you have not ventured to the garden, you don't want to miss out on Spring's bounty. This year is quite spectacular due to the rainfall East Texas has received.



Travel Texas :: The Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum and the Ezekiel Airship

A few weekends ago, our family visited the Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum on a whim (we just happened to be in Pittsberg). I had never heard of the NTRH Museum, but when I saw the sign regarding the Ezekiel Airship, my curiosity was peaked.

Upon entering the museum, visitors are directed to the section regarding railroad memorabilia. The boys oohed over the telegraph machines while my husband and I caught up on local history.

The next exhibit room included early Americana industries featured in the region, along with their implements: farming, logging, oil, etc. The exhibit also housed an extensive collection of Caddoan Native American artifacts. However, the highlight of the museum lie in an entirely different building.

Filled with a firetruck, a steam engine, a wildlife diorama, and a small art gallery, this building was home to something of even more appeal: the Ezekiel Airship.

When I turned the corner and looked up, it was like looking at something di Vinci may have created. As a scaled down replica, this Ezekiel Airship was not the one that flew, however, it was built to spec from the original design of Reverend Burrell Cannon, a local Baptist minister. It is said that the Ezekiel Airship flew a whole year earlier than the Wright Brothers' plane at Kitty Hawk in 1903. While there were no official records, a museum film provides generational witnesses, as well as the story behind the Reverend's inspiration for this flying machine.

I found it very interesting the basis for this craft came from the book of Ezekiel, chapter 1 verses 15-22:

As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

In conjunction with the museum exhibits, ticket holders may also visit the farmstead. We didn't go this particular trip as we had previous plans, but I do hope to return in the future. If you go, make sure you allow time to visit both portions of the museum and leave about 20 minutes to view the documentary on the Reverend Burrell Cannon and his Ezekiel Airship.

The Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum does not have a website; however, I've added pertinent information below.

Address:

200 W. Marshall St., Pittsburg, TX

Directions:

Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Depot and Museum. From US 271 take Jefferson St./Hwy 557 west into downtown. Turn south at Mt. Pleasant St./Hwy 238, then make an immediate right onto E. Marshall St. Two blocks, on the left.

Hours:

Th-Sa 10 am - 4 pm. (Call to verify)

Phone:

903-856-1200

Admission:

Adults $4, Students $2.

Travel Texas :: Moody Gardens & The Space Center





Have you ever needed a weekend to recover from your weekend? Well, I sure did! I spent all morning Monday at Panera enjoying a mocha and trying to recap everything this past weekend held.

My husband works in a multinational corporation setting and for over a week gentlemen from around the world and country have been training here in Longview. This past weekend, the group headed south to Galveston and Kemah. I was fortunate enough to get to tag along.

Friday afternoon, we loaded up luggage and our group of twenty-one headed to the Galveston area. After checking into our hotel, we hit the Kemah Boardwalk for dinner and fireworks. We dined at Joe's Crab Shack, where the guys told the wait staff it was Jake's birthday. He had to shake salt and pepper shakers and dance while the restaurant sang Happy Birthday; he was a good sport, considering his birthday was months ago!

Needless to say, it was a late night of eating, firework watching, and story telling from around the world. We entertained people from Canada, Brazil, Columbia, South Africa, and Australia, as well as other parts of the U.S.

After a quick lunch at Hooter's Saturday, the group headed to Moody Gardens. Built in the 1980s, the complex includes a one-acre rainforest environment pyramid, the Discovery Pyramid of science exhibitions, a 3-D IMAX theater, and one of the country’s largest aquariums, also housed in a pyramid. A small water park and a replica paddle boat are also on site. The attraction has been renovated and reworked since Jake and I were there in 2001 to celebrate our Honeymoon. Moody Gardens provides an amazing adventure for the young and old alike.

While definitely hot Saturday, the Rainforest Pyramid was my favorite. I remember being in awe when I first visited as a child. Now, visitors experience all levels of the forest and even get up close with butterflies.

The aquarium is a breathtaking experience as onlookers view penguins, seals, sharks, and all things sea. I have an affinity for these creatures.

Bodies Revealed was on exhibit in the Discovery Pyramid. Most of our group enjoyed this exhibit and while I have heard positive things about it, Jake and I choose not to explore. I'm not really into seeing exhibits that could potentially haunt my dreams.

We spent our evening on the Seawall in Galveston at Island Famous' The Spot. A serve yourself style restaurant, The Spot was the fastest way to feed a group as large as ours. After dinner, we made our way to the top level called the Rum Shack and enjoyed the beautiful view.

Jake and I slipped away for a walk along the beach. I haven't been on the beach since 10-30-10 when we left Virginia Beach for Texas, so I wasn't going to miss my chance. It was nice to feel the water and sand on my toes again.

On Sunday morning, we headed to the Johnson Space Center where the International Space Station's Mission Control resides. The Space Center offers a museum as well as tours of the astronaut training facility and the newest mission control room. We got a chance to see a Saturn V rocket up close. Wow! Those astronauts were brave! I ended up purchasing the boys freeze dried space food - after all, what better souvenir could you ask for?

I had a great time with wonderful and interesting company. I enjoyed sharing Texas history with our foreign friends; and it's always neat to see what souvenirs they purchase to remember their time in Texas.

Travel Texas :: The Oxbow Bakery & Antiques

While in Palestine over the Easter weekend, I visited a historical section of the city. Old Town harkens to the earlier days of cotton gins and feed stores. Standing in the middle of the road and looking down the main section of Old Town, it was easy to imagine the folks whom frequented this area long before I was born. Many of the original buildings have been updated or replicated, yielding that yester-year feel. Old Town houses cute shops, dining, and even a bar and dance hall.

In the heart of Old Town is the Oxbow, a quaint pastry shop proprieted by Mrs. Becky Wolfe encased in a lovely antique parlor. Landscaped beautifully, the "home made pie" sign made me smile. Full of nostalgia, the shop's pie case has the largest draw. I hear the lunch is a must - but I was there for the pie!

We purchased the largest coconut cream pie I've ever seen and I couldn't resist taking home the buttermilk. I will say, if you visit the Oxbow with the intention of pie buying you had better snap one up quick; two pies left as we entered and three more left before we did! I had a hard time making my selection, until I saw the buttermilk pie. It just happens to be my favorite!

I must admit, I love my grandmother's buttermilk pie recipe, but Mrs. Becky's was amazing. The pie filling was a creamy goodness with a zing of lemon. It was sweet and flavorful and after two slices the pie went into the fridge. A girl's got to watch her figure!

Mrs. Becky and the rest of the Oxbow staff were friendly and welcoming. The antique portion of the store has unique consignment booths overflowing with all sorts of interesting items. I found an early American shovel, a cheese block table, and a handful of vintage hankies. It definitely takes some time to peruse everything, so allow yourself a few extra minutes when visiting.

If you know you'll be in town, call ahead and order a pie - you'll be glad you did!

The Oxbow Bakery & Antiques, 215 East Crawford Street  Palestine, TX 903-723-5100 Open 9:AM - 5:00PM Tuesday- Saturday.