Often, this our go-to place, when we want to escape the city, and slow down
While walking around Jefferson, we spotted something that we had not seen before near the city’s Big Cypress Bayou boat dock. Horses & stagecoach that appeared to be made out of metals. Weekdays, after work, we watch the daily reruns of the old “Tales of Wells Fargo” TV series, so a Tom & Teri selfie was a must.
Tom used to have a ’51 Chevy truck when Tom dated Teri (during Parkway High School years), so a stop at the Jefferson General Store – Jefferson, Texas, & their old Chevy truck, is something that is always done.
Teri enjoys some ice cream, followed by a wonderful time looking around the Jefferson General Store.
The Christmas season is always a great time to visit Jefferson, because most of the downtown area is decorated and will assist you in getting into the Christmas spirit.
During the Christmas season, Tom was spotted on an Austin Street corner checking out the photographer (Teri).
Right next tothe Jefferson General Store (Tom’s favorite) is Caddo Mercantile Antiques. We spent an hour in this place! Thousands of (very good condition) vinyl record albums that were, all, filed in categories, and the artists/bands in alphabetical order, like record stores used to do. We even picked out an album and played it on a quality turntable in the store, while we browsed the albums and other COOL items in the store. Tom has collected many record albums during his 40+ years in the radio business, and from his childhood, & this store was a place that we, thoroughly, enjoyed!
After a Moody Dog (chili cheese dog), Chili Frito pie & milk shakes at the Jefferson General Store – Jefferson, Texas , We went next door to Caddo Mercantile Antiques , where Tom enjoyed browsing the thousands of vinyl albums & time spent in front of a wall of speakers (& such as that). We enjoyed the conversations with the staff in both stores.
We enjoyed the boat ride, and learning more of the history along the Big Cypress Bayou & Caddo Lake. The boat’s tour guide, Shaggy, is a great story-teller. Teri captures a photo of Tom & Shaggy enjoying conversation at Turning Basin Riverboat Tours .
It’s always good to make new friends. Tom loves dogs, and Tom & Buddy the boat tour dog, became friends. Teri captures a photo of Buddy trying to kiss Tom, and Tom said “I don’t know what you’ve been eatin’ dog, but should I offer you a mint?”. A very enjoyable, and informative, ride on the Turning Basin Riverboat Tours in Jefferson, Texas.
On board the Turning Basin Riverboat Tours , Buddy the dog enjoys the ride, while keeping an eye on what’s ahead along the Big Cypress Bayou.Local friend, Peggy, says “Buddy is always on the lookout for snacks!
Tom was enticed to join the Shady Lady Witches during of their benefit witch dances around Halloween at Made In The Shade.
Tom will talk to anyone that will listen. Photo taken around Halloween in Jefferson
We stopped by the, nearby, Cypress River Airport for a “Hot Air Balloon Mini-Glow” festival.Once the sun went down at dark:30, it was time to light ’em up! Everytime the crews would fire up the balloon flames, Teri & her camera were in action. Teri took several photos of the hot air balloon glow @ the Cypress River Airport(Jefferson, Tx)
If you look hard enough, you’ll spot BigFoot in Jefferson, like Tom did. Tom was wearing his TomsMaHauL.com investigation capwhile we strolled around Jefferson, when he stopped to hang out with BigFoot (across from the Visitors Center).
During a late evening stroll around Jefferson, Teri wanted Tom to pose with the Big Boy Burger display, next to the old-timey gas pump, on Polk Street.
A place that we frequent, has always been Jefferson, Texas. The Tom’sMaHaul rolls over to Jefferson about every few months. We have been to many weekend events over the years, including A Taste of Jefferson (local restaurants competing on Austin Street), Friday Night Cruise Nights car show, Diamond Don’s Vintage International Motocross racing, Jefferson Civil War Reenactment, Outlaw Nationals (with classic cars and other vehicles lining the streets), Mardi Gras Upriver festival, Tour of Homes, Burn Benefit biker rally and more. We even enjoy weekends in Jefferson, when there’s not a festival or big event weekend going on.
The shadow of Teri driving her ’69 Chevelle Malibu to one of many Jefferson car shows. Tom is already in Jefferson with the Tom’sMaHaul motorhome set up and waiting for Teri & her Chevy to arrive.
The car shows for the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department has Teri shinin’ the engine, as well as other detailed cleaning all over her Chevy. She shines the trophy, too.
Teri & her Chevy show up at the car shows for the camaraderie among car folks. Teri always stands proud when her Chevy scores a tophy though.Photos, videos & info on our Chevy Time journal page HERE
Teri has a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu, that she has driven over to Jefferson for various car shows, as Tom takes the Tom’sMaHaul motorhome for those car weekends. Teri wipes down and details the Chevy next to the motorhome, and prepares it for display at the car shows. Teri has even won trophies at some of the car shows to benefit the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department.
One of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department trucks Is cleaned and shined for the benefit car shows.
The Historical stories about Jefferson Texas are many, and though we’ve been going for decades, it always seems that we hear another story that we’ve never heard before. There’s a walking ghost tour. Bring good walking shoes. The tour of the J. Gould Rail Car is quite interesting. Tickets for that, are available across the street at the Excelsior House Hotel, where many of our family have stayed over the years. We enjoy their Sunday breakfasts when it is offered in the ballroom and patio! The Excelsior House Hotel has a lot of great History. Many family members also have enjoyed stays in the other legendary downtown hotel, the Historic Jefferson Hotel. There are a variety of different stores throughout the downtown area, and we’ve shopped at many of them. A favorite place of Tom’s is the Jefferson General Store, where there is a 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck near the store entry. A malt or milk shake & a Moody Dog (chili dog) from the Jefferson General Store is “mandatory” for Tom, everytime that we get over to Jefferson. We’ve enjoyed some great local bands and dancing at some of the night spots in downtown Jefferson. We’ve eaten at most of the restaurants throughout Jefferson, and have always enjoyed the food (whichever style). Over the years, we’ve made friends with many people from the Jefferson area. The museums in Jefferson are places that we’ve been to and found interesting. Quite often, when we take some walks around Jefferson, we spot something that grabs our attention….
Tom spotted an old hippy, flower-child, VW bus. Far out! Groovy! Can you dig it daddy-o? That’s … heavy, man.
There’s Tom. He’s checkin’ out the photographer. (photo by Teri)
The Fruit Loops scented candle story: Teri catches Tom sniffing the scented candles at Port Jefferson Outpost LLC (aka “The Outpost”) in Marion County. Tom says “This candle smells EXACTLY like Fruit Loops cereal”. Teri claims that she’s never smelled that cereal before. We enjoyed root beer ice cream floats & Fritos with chili n’ cheese (aka Frito pie) at The Outpost.
Tom ran into John Wayne in the Jefferson General Store. Tom has been seen many times, sippin’ on a milk shake, while strolling around and looking at all of the “cool stuff” in the store.
The Made in the Shade Anniversary Party was a great time! Angie, Shaggy, Peggy & the staff did an excellent job hosting the crowd. We made some new friends (which is always good). White Trash Wannabees rocked the stage & brought up some folks that stopped by, to sing some songs. This stage guest did an excellent job singing “Midnight Special” (CCR style)!
Nearby places for RVers to stay…
For RVers, there are some that are a handful of miles to the south of Jefferson. There’s the Jefferson Ice Express & RV Park, which is a handful of blocks from the Historic Downtown Jefferson district, & a downtown rv park (more below). Diamond Don’s RV Park is located a mile east on Hwy 49, and is also the location for the Diamond Don’s Vintage International Motocross (annual event). There are many campgrounds for rvs and tent campers at nearby Lake o’ the Pines and Caddo Lake.Often, when in the Caddo Lake area, we stay at Pine Island RV Park.On Lake o the Pines, we’ve stayed at Brushy Creek Campground.
The Tom’s MaHaul on Lake o’ the Pines (about 20 minutes from Jefferson) @ Brushy Creek
Teri starting the evening flames at the TomsMaHauL motorhome, just 15 miutes from Jefferson, near Caddo Lake & the community of Uncertain (Tx) at Pine Island RV Park
Caddo Lake State Park is within 15 minutes from Jefferson, and offers rv & tent camping.
We’ve, also, stayed in the City of Jefferson RV Park (downtown, behind the courthouse, county jail & Marion County Sheriff’s Dept) many times, which is within walking distance of many stores, restaurants, museums, parks & more. It’s a first-come-first-served (50 & 30amp power & some water hookups) rv & parking lot area, & if you’re lucky enough to squeeze into a spot there, please, be sure to stop by City Hall (across from the stoplight near the Marion County Courthouse) & pay (cash only) $12-per-night. If City Hall is closed, there are envelopes by the front door, and you can insert your fee in an envelope & drop it into the City Hall door slot. There is a one week limit, as to the length of time that an rv can stay there.
Tom is acting, as if, you’ll believe that he’s REALLY serious. The folks at City Hall in Jefferson knew better, when Tom walked in. Tom has his “investigation” hat on. Since, some claim that places in Jefferson are haunted, Tom said “I’ll be looking for the ghost of Chris Farley, in a van down by the river, while our motorhome is near the Big Cypress Bayou”.
Jefferson Texas Convention & Tourist Bureau “Visit Jefferson Texas” websiteHERE Marion County Jefferson Texas Chamber of Commerce websiteHERE
Tom & Teri selfie in the Jefferson General Store
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__________________ We welcome you to check out some of the places that we enjoy exploring around the ArkLaTex region and… beyond the outer parameter. Visit our Journal page HERE __________________ You’re Trippin’ With Tom & Teri. Our location is a space in time. No matter where you go, there you are, and at the moment, We Are HERE. __________________ Tom shares some of our motorhome preparation, maintenance & projects…along with expecting the unexpected. Visit our Projects page HERE __________________ Also, visit us at TomsMaHauL on Facebook HERE __________________ We’re checking our email inbox, and checkin’ it twice. We’ll check it again, to see if you checked in. Email: info@TomsMaHauL.com
