Day 98 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
San Augustine Campground
I set my alarm last night to get up and watch the solar eclipse, but it was too cloudy. Oh well, in another lifetime I guess! This morning the dogs and I took the trail from the San Augustine Campground. The campground is operated by the City for either short-term or long-term residents. As a result, the restrooms may have been the best of any campgrounds I’ve been to so far.
The trail led us through some woods, around a field, and past a historical marker. The marker indicated the route of Kings Highway, Old San Antonio Road. On our walk, we saw many cardinals and a blue jay, so on our way out I got my good camera ready for some bird shots. By then they had scattered!
San Augustine Courthouse
Before leaving San Augustine, we stopped by its downtown to get a glimpse of the courthouse. My aunt and uncle, Jennifer and John, have toured several of the Texas courthouses and plan to make it to everyone some day. This one was very modern looking relative to many of the others I’ve seen, despite being built in the early 1900s. In front of the courthouse, time capsules are buried and marked by headstones with a future date they are to be opened. That will be interesting!
Caddo Lake State Park
We continued north through East Texas to Caddo Lake State Park to hike in the piney woods. I loved the mid-seventies temperature which was almost warm enough to break a sweat. The dogs on the other hand were panting, turning to the nearby creek for water, and regularly turning back toward the VANilla. It was more like a heat wave for them!
I would have walked for much longer, but they looked miserable, so we turned around after only a mile or so. Before we left the park, we stopped at the pond peppered with bald cypress covered in Spanish moss.
City of Jefferson, Texas
Continuing through East Texas to Jefferson, we visited the Excelsior House, a hotel that has operated since the mid 1800s. Guests in the past have included Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, John Jacob Astor, and Oscar Wilde. I spent a few minutes walking around the town and picked up a cache in a nearby picnic area across from the police department. I tried to grab one more on a statue situated in the middle of an intersection, but there were too many nearby muggles.
City of Marshall, Texas
After strolling through Jefferson, the dogs and I returned south to Marshall. We plan to enjoy the Christmastime Wonderland of Lights tonight. The courthouse is currently lit up and kids are skating at the temporary ice rink on the square. In one hour, the lights on the courthouse will blink to music.
Visitors may have their photograph taken inside a life size snow globe. In addition, many visitors take train and bus rides around the city to witness one of the nation’s largest holiday displays with over 6 million light bulbs brightening the city. I think I will enjoy the holiday spectacle at the courthouse and drive home tonight to surprise my mom with an early arrival! ETB
Map of My Road Trip Across the USA
For a summary about my road trip across the USA, click HERE. For the interactive map, see the below link.
Other Articles About Texas You May Like
Shop
Check out my shop of photographic notecards and key chains. Each card has a travel story associated with it. 20% of proceeds are donated to charity.
And surprise me she did!! I have never gotten out of a chair so fast! What a thrill to have Beth home.! Sam, Mollie (our grandchildren) and I had spent time earlier in the day making a “welcome home” poster that we were going to put on the back door the next day just in case Beth came home one day early.
With Beth’s early arrival it never made it on the door but I think she was happy to see the cute poster full of Sam’s and Mollie’s art work.
Welcome home Beth (Scout & Petey too)! We are glad you are home for a while!