Nov 7 2009
Texas Pride Abounds in Washington CountyAny Texan will tell you that they are proud of being a Texan. They love their land and heritage. To better understand Texans make sure that you visit one of the small towns in Texas such as Brenham, not far from Houston. The beauty of small Texas towns is that the families who settled in the area are still there. Multi-generational homesteads and ranches are not unusual. Texans are proud, yes, but they are also warm and hospitable. Small Texas towns are great places to stay for a weekend or a vacation.
The Texas Ranch Experience
Aptly named, Texas Ranch Life will give you just that… a taste of what Texas life is all about. John and Taunia Elick, native Texans, will share with you their love of the land and Texas ranch lore. They have been cattle ranching the entire 32 years of their marriage on the Prairie Place Ranch, which has been in John’s family for over 50 years. The couple, both Attorneys, are fascinating people. Taunia has the unique hobby of collecting and restoring old country homes. Dotted throughout the ranch are lovely old homes, carefully restored and furnished for guests. On the property you will be surprised to find an old country church, another building adopted by Taunia.
Staying in one of the ranch homes will give guests a marvelous country experience. We watched the pink of the sky at sunset and the rise of a full harvest moon. Guests could sit on the veranda of their temporary home and survey the land and watch the changes as the shadows lengthened and the animals settled down for the night. John once was a saddle bronc rider and currently trains quarter horses for competition. He also works their hundreds of cattle, hybrid Texas Longhorn and Charolais. While staying at the ranch you will be able to ride horses that are also used for work on the property.
The ranch provides a full range of activities. Guests will love riding the well-trained quarter horses, sighting some of the ranch’s bison herd or Longhorn cattle. There are areas and seasons for hunting and fishing.
Location: Belleville, TX (about 10 miles from Brenham)
Contact: Toll Free 1-866-TEXASRL
Website: texasranchlife.com
The Brenham Experience
Brenham, Texas is the county seat of Washington County. Brenham is a charming small town with numerous restoration projects going on under the care of the local families who love their heritage. Brenham has a well-restored main street shopping district with antique shops, boutiques and Inns.
The Ant Street Inn, one of the more unusual places to stay, is right in the downtown district. We enjoyed peeking into some of the rooms at the Ant Street Inn. One even had a non-working warehouse elevator in the middle of the bedroom!
Another room, on the corner, had windows overlooking the downtown area and a poker table set up for a game of cards. The wide halls were filled with antique furniture and guests could help themselves to Bluebell Ice Cream or coffee from the well-stocked hallway pantry. Like many of the inns in the area, you will hear train traffic during the night. Bring earplugs!
Within walking distance of the shopping and dining area you will find the Ingleside Bed and Breakfast, a beautiful two story historic home with columns and a huge porch with plenty of rocking chairs.
The lovely rooms, filled with antiques and comfortable beds, mirror the elegance of the dining room and living room where guests can enjoy a more “citified” experience.
The owner, Connie Hall, is a native Texan and the antiques you will enjoy at her inn are true family heirlooms. Each morning Connie creates an amazing gourmet breakfast for her guests and is available to advise you on things to do and see in the area.
As with most B&B Inns in the area, the owners are more than happy to fill you in on local history and lore. With soft Texas drawls, they speak of their love for Texas and their pride of belonging to a family whose roots go back many generations.
