<p>Any suggestions from the Texas contingent on things to do, places to eat in Gilmer (or Tyler, where I’ll probably be sleeping) for a 3-day trip?</p>
<p>Wish I could help…South Texas ‘Valley’ girl here. I think Tyler is supposed to be pretty though…can’t vouch for the food or activities though.</p>
<p>If you’re going later in the spring, Tyler is supposed to be famous for flowers, esp. roses. There are also a lot of historic homes. I think there’s also a prison nearby. For food, virtually every town in Texas has decent BBQ and Tex-Mex. That’s all I know (I’ll do better if you come to Austin).</p>
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<p>Well let’s hope he’s not going to be visiting there!!!</p>
<p>I’m not sure there is “that” much to please the refined taste of an Easterner! I traveled to Tyler for many soccer games and it always seemed to rain! This may explain why there are trees and golf courses everywhere. I think that you will be a bit early for the azaleas. </p>
<p>Now, if you have time to kill and have an interest in history, you may want to drive to Jefferson. Here’s a link for you: </p>
<p><a href=“http://jeffersontx.com/[/url]”>http://jeffersontx.com/</a> </p>
<p>Center of culture and refinement, of stern-wheelers, wagon trains, and ox-team freighters, Jefferson was once the pride of a great entire around which revolved graceful living, southern charm, prestige, and. productivity. The town’s bygone glories cannot be forgotten, and today Jefferson is a most eloquent reminder of an era long since vanished.</p>
<p>Also, who could resist the Scarlett O’Hardy’s Gone with the Wind Museum? :)</p>
<p>Correct Andi – I deal in a whole different area of the law. Xiggi, thanks for the link. I am a history geek, so that could be interesting, time permitting.</p>
<p>And watch out with that “Easterner” label. Family roots are in the Texas panhandle, and I was born and mostly raised in north central Oklahoma, HS in SE Louisiana I’ll have you know. :)</p>
<p>“And watch out with that “Easterner” label. Family roots are in the Texas panhandle, and I was born and mostly raised in north central Oklahoma, HS in SE Louisiana I’ll have you know.”</p>
<p>I always knew there was something special about you!</p>
<p>Tyler’s boring, Austin and Dallas are where its at in Texas.</p>
<p>The Tyler zoo is a pretty amazing place. We visited about 10 years ago and I was very pleasantly surprised. It was free admission back then but I think they charge now. Worth a look if you like that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Ditto Xiggi’s recommendation of Jefferson - absolutely charming town!</p>
<p>You’re about 50 miles from where I live. Gilmer’s claim to fame is the Yamboree (as in Yams), the Old Fiddlers Contest, and a fair number of antique shops. In addition to barbeque, there should be very good catfish in the area. You are not far from either Tyler or Longview, and if you get desparate, Shreveport/Bossier is about an hour and a half away, with casino gambling and lots of resturants. Don’t forget the Tyler Rose Center and the Texas State Fish Hatchery. The hatchery is really worth a visit. It’s where they breed the big bass and they have some great displays.
<a href=“http://www.easttexasguide.com/2005/pages/03/23/13.html[/url]”>http://www.easttexasguide.com/2005/pages/03/23/13.html</a></p>
<p>lderochi~</p>
<p>Ummmmmmmmmm, will you be coming to Kansas anytime soon??? :)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
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Yes, the southern gentleman and charming hospitality has always shone through. That “Southern Delaware” bit over in the left hand column is just a red herring.</p>
<p>I hereby nominate lderochi as party host for any right coast cc gatherings. Has all it takes to be the hostess with the mostess.</p>
<p>Thanks Bandit! Sorry I’ll be missing the Yamboree. No comments from me, our biggest event is the Punkin Chunkin, involving pumpkins launched from heavy artillery that would make Rumsfeld drool. </p>
<p>Well, the “hostess” part is a bit off-putting (at least my wife would think so), but otherwise ya’ll are welcome. Hot Tub might get kind of full, but I suppose we could lease out the various swimming pools in the subdivsion. Beaches less than an hour away. </p>
<p>B, I’m in Kansas pretty much every other month! Slightly east of Lawrence on K-10. Drop me a PM if that’s in your neck of the woods.</p>
<p>My hubster goes to Texas alot, too. His advice, watch out for dry counties and the darn freeway exits are maddening. Hope you enjoyed Mark’s win on friday night.</p>
<p>I live in Tyler…If you want Tex-Mex - Mercados for atmosphere (on Loop 323), Gilbert’s El Charro for good basic food (the one on 5th street). BBQ - Bodacious on Troup Highway, or Spring Creek BBQ on So. Broadway (Bodacious is better). A nice steak dinner - Dakota’s Chop House on So. Broadway. Pizza - Double Dave’s on So. Broadway. The weather’s too crummy this weekend for anything outdoors, by the way. Sunday may be okay, though. Don’t stay in one of the hotels in North Tyler - go to South Tyler. There are a lot of restaurants along South Broadway south of Loop 323 - take your pick!</p>
<p>My son’s at Dartmouth. He ate Tex-Mex a lot when he was at home for Christmas!</p>
<p>lderochi - the host-“ess” part was just poetic license ;). Guess I won’t be receiving a party invite. :(</p>
<p>Woot - we got a local to set us all straight and save Lderochi’s trip. :)</p>
<p>As for Gilmer, just look for a dive with a lot of pick-up trucks around it at lunchtime - your best bet it’s got good food. Now, it might be a big 'ol greasy hamburger, but it will be delicious! That’s the way we find food on our school tennis trips to these little towns.</p>
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I feel his pain. We can get good Chinese up here, Thai,… New York deli, great Italian, French, American bistro etc. etc. etc. But as for Mexican - we are out of luck.</p>