Day Trips
Nothing seems to recharge the batteries like relaxing in a rocking chair on the front porch of a cottage surrounded by sounds of nature
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Dec. 30, 2005
Escape to a cabin in the woods this weekend. Nothing seems to recharge the batteries like relaxing in a rocking chair on the front porch of a cottage surrounded by sounds of nature.
The following accommodations are more than rustic hunting cabins, but they're not luxurious resorts. Of course, luxury has many definitions, and one of these might fit your idea of living the good life.
River Haven Cabins outside of Leakey on the Frio River is a year-round vacation destination. During the summer, the cool river is a short walk from your back door, and the fireplaces come in handy during the winter. Most of the cabins are duplexes, but there is plenty of room to spread out. You can either get a room with a kitchenette or drive into town to take advantage of one of the restaurants. Garner and Lost Maples state parks are short drives from the cabins. Rates run about $145 during the summer, $98 during the fall and winter, and $50 to $75 per night in January and February. For information, call 830/232-5400 or go to www.riverhavencabins.com.
There are a couple dozen businesses along the Frio River that offer a wide range of accommodations. For a complete list, go to www.hill-country-visitor.com.
The Paluxy River Bed Cabins outside of Glen Rose is a great place to spend a special event. The owners will make arrangements for you like delivering flowers or a massage therapist to your room. The four cabins are spread out on the property to allow maximum privacy. All of the rooms have balconies, hot tubs, kitchenettes, and access to the river. Children under 21 years old and pets are best left at home. The nightly rate of $125 includes a small breakfast left in your refrigerator. For information, call 800/235-2004 or go to www.paluxyriverbedcabins.com.
Fox Meadows Guest Homes and Nature Conservatory between Athens and Palestine makes use of a dog-trot cabin that the owners lived in while constructing their retirement home down the hill. Each of the two apartments is well equipped with a kitchenette, fireplace, television with VCR, and rocking chairs on the front porch. Private hiking trails meander around the 50 acres that are being returned to their natural state. Rates run from $85 to $110. For information, call 903/549-3400 or go to www.foxmeadows.ws.
Cedar Canyon Lodge and Cabins outside of Graham is on a working cattle ranch backing up to Possum Kingdom Lake. The rooms have a small kitchen and a grill on the deck. You're a good ways from any store, so stock up on the supplies you'll need and lounge in the hot tub behind the cabin or hike the miles of trails. If you have to have access to the outside world, the lodge has a business center with phone and Internet connections. A full breakfast is included on weekends, and there is no telling when a jam session around the campfire will happen. Rates range from $119 to $149. For more information, call 940/549-8999 or go to www.cedarcanyonlodge.com.
Texas state parks offer one of the best deals in cabin rentals to be found in the state. Bastrop State Park has 12 cabins, all with fireplaces, bed and bath linens, and kitchenettes for $65 to $150 per night. Caddo Lake State Park has nine cabins with linens and towels, air conditioning, and heat, and some have gas log fireplaces for $70 to $90 per night. Cooper Lake State Park has 15 small cabins with air and heat and small kitchens for $30 to $36 per night. Daingerfield State Park has three cabins, one with a fireplace, for $75 to $85 per night. Garner State Park has 17 cabins, most with fireplaces, for $60 to $80 per night. Lake Brownwood State Park has 16 cabins with fireplaces for $55 to $65 per night. Martin Creek Lake State Park has two cabins with air conditioning, heat, and kitchens for $70 per night. Palo Duro Canyon State Park has two cabins overlooking the canyon with refrigerators and microwaves for $100 to $115 per night. Possum Kingdom State Park has six cabins, five with fireplaces, for $75 to $135 per night. For reservations or details, call 389-8900 or go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
759th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of Day Trips 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
