Along the Geronimo Creek: Destination - Historic Jefferson, Texas

We went off for a couple of days with our friends Dave and Dian Wallis to Jefferson, Texas for the Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes. We stayed at the Excelsior Hotel which is the oldest hotel in Texas. The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1858. Jefferson was once a busy port city on Big Cypress Bayou that was connected with the Mississippi River by way of the Red River. Jefferson is near Caddo Lake and while exploring the area we discovered Uncertain, Texas and the story of Dick and Charlie’s Tea Room. The Tea room was not about tea at all. It was a saloon and brothel that straddled the Texas/ Louisiana border and the patrons were able to escape Texas law by walking a few feet into Louisiana whenever the place was raided. You could only get to the Tea Room by boat. It is best known for the sign displaying the house rules …. House Rule #1 - There ain’t none ; House rule #2 - There never was none; House rule #3 - There ain’t never gonna be none.

The Tea Room is still standing but obviously not accepting any new customers.

We had two awesome meals with Gena at Austin Street Bistro

I guess we are behind the times since we didn't know about G Pay. At 1852, the waitress laid this on the table and thanked us for coming. We figured that you must scan the bar code to see your bill but it was the first time for us to pay our bill at our table by phone. It just doesn't seem right but I guess this is the future.