DOROTHY AND I ENJOYING THE SIGHTS IN THE HISTORIC LITTLE TOWN OF JEFFERSON, TEXAS ON THE AFTERNOON OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021.

Convalescing at Caddo

 

Prologue

Dorothy had been diagnosed with breast cancer on July 8, 2021 and had endured three surgeries in the following three months (August 11, September 13, and October 11, 2021).   On October 19, we got the news that the third surgery had been successful and they had finally managed to remove all the cancer.  Dorothy had about a month before she would be beginning radiation treatments, so I began trying to think of a place we could go to get away from it all and relax.  I finally settled on the Caddo Lake area in East Texas.  We really needed to get away for a few days!

 

Heading to Blackwater Jacks, Thursday, November 4, 2021…

After a little research on the internet, I rented us a cabin at Blackwater Jacks on Cypress Bayou, near Karnack, Texas.  We headed out on Thursday morning, November 4, 2021, pulling my kayak trailer.  We enjoyed a pleasant drive through the small towns of central Texas and arrived at our cabin late that afternoon.  

MY NEW KAYAK TRAILER PULLED LIKE A DREAM.
WE STOPPED AT SHEP'S IN PALESTINE FOR LUNCH.
SHEP THE PITMASTER -- WHAT GREAT BAR-B-Q!
IT WAS GREAT TO SEE DOROTHY SMILING AGAIN!
OUR CABIN WAS ON STILTS, RIGHT ON CYPRESS BAYOU.
OUR CABIN AT BLACKWATER JACKS WAS SPACIOUS AND COMFORTABLE.
OUR BEDROOM AT THE CABIN.

After getting settled in our cabin, I decided to let Dorothy relax while I drove over to Caddo Lake State Park to take a walk and look for birds.  I found the State Park to be rustic and relaxing, and I enjoyed my walk there.  I then returned to our cabin, and we cooked our supper of baked salmon and watched a little television before turning in for the night.  

THE STONE WORK AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK IS TYPICAL OF THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS, WHO BUILT THE PARK FROM 1933 TO 1937.
MAP OF THE PARK, NEAR THE MAIN VISITOR'S CENTER.
I DIDN'T SEE MANY BIRDS, BUT THE SCENERY AROUND MILL POND WAS GORGEOUS!
VIEW OF CYPRESS BAYOU FROM OUR PORCH, TAKEN AFTER I RETURNED TO THE CABIN FROM CADDO LAKE STATE PARK.

Day Two:  Kayaking and a Visit to Historic Jefferson

I was up early on Friday morning, excited to experience my first taste of the Caddo Lake Paddling Trails.  One of the reasons I chose Blackwater Jacks was because it is a great launching place for several of the best paddling trails in the area.  I headed out while there was still fog on the water and, in short order, paddled my way to the Benton Lake Paddling Trail.  I spent several hours in this beautiful place, and saw a number of birds.  It was an enjoyable morning!

DEDE WAVES BYE FROM THE PORCH OF OUR CABIN, AS I PADDLE OFF INTO THE FOG...
DOROTHY TOOK THIS SHOT FROM THE PORCH OF OUR CABIN, AS I SET OFF ON MY PADDLING ADVENTURE.
I HAD TO PADDLE PART OF CYPRESS BAYOU TO REACH THE BENTON LAKE PADDLING TRAIL. THE FOG, BRIGHT SUN, AND FALL COLORS WERE STUNNING!
TURNING OFF THE MAIN BAYOU, I ENTERED THE APPROACH TO BENTON LAKE.
EACH OF THE CADDO LAKE PADDLING TRAILS ARE MARKED WITH DIFFERENT COLORED SIGNS THAT IDENTIFY THE ROUTE; BENTON LAKE MARKERS ARE RED.
I SAW A NUMBER OF BIRDS WHILE PADDLING BENTON LAKE. THIS ONE IS A NORTHERN FLICKER.

After a delightful morning on the water, Dorothy and I headed into the historic little town of Jefferson for some lunch and to see the sights.  We had lunch at Auntie Skinners, then walked the brick streets of the bustling downtown area.  We stopped by the Jefferson Historical Museum which is housed in the old Federal Courthouse/Post Office.  I enjoy these small town museums, stuffed with exhibits donated by local residents. It was an enjoyable afternoon, walking and holding hands with my girl.  Here are a few pictures from that afternoon.  

LOTS OF CUTE LITTLE SHOPS IN JEFFERSON (AND FUNNY SIGNS)! SO HAPPY TO SEE MY GIRL SMILING AGAIN!
WE EXPERIENCED TALES OF STEAMBOATS AND RAILCARS...
OUR VISIT TO THE JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM WAS TIME WELL SPENT.
FIGURED I BETTER GET A PIC OF DOROTHY WITH THE THOMAS JEFFERSON BUST, BEFORE IT IS REMOVED IN THIS CRAZY "WOKE" WORLD IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES.
PART OF THE MUSEUM IS AN AMAZING MODEL RAILROAD EXHIBIT, HOUSED IN A SEPARATE BUILDING.
IN THE "LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY" DEPARTMENT, DID YOU KNOW LADY BIRD JOHNSON WAS FROM JEFFERSON?
I WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE MUSEUM HAD AN EXHIBIT RELATING TO THE PREHISTORIC CADDO CULTURE, WHICH WAS KNOWN FOR ITS POTTERY.
JEFFERSON BROUGHT OUT DOROTHY'S INNER HIPPIE!!
I DID IT! I FOUND BIGFOOT! SERIOUSLY, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE AREA AROUND CADDO LAKE HAS MORE BIGFOOT SIGHTINGS THAN ANYPLACE IN THE WORLD?

Day Three: More Kayaking and Lots of Good Food

I was up early on Saturday morning for another paddle.  This time, I headed the opposite direction on Cypress Bayou toward the Clear Lake Paddling Trail.  The information on the trails said that it was a favorite of the locals, and, after spending the morning there, I have to agree!

THIS IS WHERE I LAUNCHED MY KAYAK FROM EACH MORNING, JUST UP RIVER FROM OUR CABIN.
HEADED FOR CLEAR LAKE...
NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE CLEAR LAKE PADDLING TRIAL.
THE TRAIL MARKERS AT CLEAR LAKE WERE BLACK AND WHITE.
THE MAIN BODY OF CLEAR LAKE. THE TRAIL SKIRTS THE EDGE THEN FOLLOWS A NARROW PASSAGE THAT TAKES YOU MUCH FURTHER FROM THE MAIN BAYOU ENTRANCE.
PRIMEVAL BEAUTY AT THE CLEAR LAKE PADDLING TRAIL.
THE CATHEDRAL CEILING...
THIS BELTED KINGFISHER PLAYED HIDE AND SEEK WITH ME!

Saturday afternoon, Dorothy and I drove to Marshall to eat lunch, see the downtown area, and pick up some diet, caffeine-free, Dr. Pepper at the Walmart (we have not been able to buy it at home for a few years now). 

THE RIBS AT BODACIOUS BAR-B-Q IN MARSHALL WERE ... YOU GUESSED IT -- BODACIOUS!!!
LADY JUSTICE STANDS TALL, ATOP THE ORNATE OLD COURTHOUSE (BUILT IN 1900) IN DOWNTOWN MARSHALL, TEXAS.

We had enjoyed some amazing bar-b-que on our trip but, for supper, we decided to head over to the iconic Big Pines Lodge for some seafood.  It was a beautiful evening as we sat outside and enjoyed the view of Cypress Bayou as well as some good seafood.  We were up fairly early Sunday morning and got everything packed for the uneventful trip home. 

DOROTHY AT THE BIG PINES LODGE, KARNACK, TEXAS.
DOROTHY ENJOYING THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE!
I HAD BROILED FISH WHILE DOROTHY TACKLED THE BROILED SHRIMP WITH SOME HUMONGOUS ONION RINGS. SPEAKING OF HUMONGOUS, CHECK OUT THOSE LONG HUSH PUPPIES THEY BROUGHT US!
THERE WAS A BIGFOOT SIGHTING AT BIG PINES LODGE WHILE WE WERE THERE!
I TOOK THIS PHOTO AS I DROPPED OFF THE KEY AT THE BLACKWATER JACKS OFFICE. THEIR BOAT LAUNCH AND DOCK AREA IS IN THE BACKGROUND.

Epilogue…

It was nice to take a break from surgeries, pathology reports, and doctor visits, and Caddo Lake was the perfect spot to do that.  The natural beauty and the solitude were restful and soothing.  We returned home ready to tackle the next phase (radiation treatments) of Dorothy’s battle with breast cancer.