EAST TEXAS! - Montana Owners Club

countrygirl · 06-23-2005, 03:27 AM

To all of you that are interested in our area...I could write a lot about the area. We have so many nice places to visit..and Jefferson is just one of them, and I would add that it is tops on the list. Longview has a lot to offer in the way of shopping and eating places.
Shreveport is nearby and not far when you are at Jefferson or this particular area. If you like the casinos, you will love Shreveport.
I like the food that the casinos serve...it is wonderful. Now , as far as restaurants in Shreveport, Ralphs and Kacous is one of the best and Don's seafood is also good. There is the Imax theater there that we love to go to and they have one of the largest screens that we have ever seen. We have seen some wonderful shows at their Imax.
Lake O' The Pines is a beautiful Lake and lots of people come here to fish and just to stay at those beautiful campgrounds. And, this is in the shadow of our little town of Ore City. By the Way, I want to let you know that we have one of the best catfish restaurants in EAst Texas here near Ore City. It is called The Catfish Village and if you like to eat fried catfish, this is the one for you. They serve it family style and all that you can eat... not bad is it? Platters of sizzling catfish and french fries and the trimmings. Hushpuppies, cold slaw and green tomato pickles are the sides. WOW! can anyone pass this up?? Come on to East Texas and we will be glad to take you to some of these wonderful places.
Countygirl or Shirley

sreigle · 06-23-2005, 06:07 AM

Thanks, Shirley. East Texas is one of the many areas of this country we want to visit and explore. The closest we've come so far is to pass through on the interstates. I've eyed US 259 through that area with US 59 coming through Oklahoma. Someday I hope to tow that route. Meanwhile, if weather cooperates and we have enough days to make our reservation in South Texas next January I'd like to take that route. We would, of course, plan to stop and meet you folks if you're home at the time. But the weather will decide how much time we have to make the trip.

Thanks again for the description. We've heard a lot of good things about that part of the state.

Iowafan · 06-23-2005, 06:59 AM

We will plan to visit East Texas again someday, probably many times since we bought a lot near Granbury, TX. We just stumpled on to Jefferson but immediately realized it's a very quaint place. We'll be sure to look for the Catfish restaurant. You can't live in Alabama and not like catfish.

Charlie · 06-23-2005, 07:01 AM

Shirley-
Not trying to steal your thunder but something that some folks might be interested in if in the Shreveport area is Louisiana Downs, a thoroughbred horse track that is a first class operation. Have been there a couple of times and really did enjoy seeing the ponies run.

padredw · 06-23-2005, 07:57 AM

My wife sounds like a travel agent or even a member of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, but she has put it well and I concur.

Steve, We have made that route through Oklahoma on 59 down to 259. The 259 portion is especially senic through the Ouchita Mountains. A good place to stay is Queen Wilhama State Park on top of Rich Mountain (near Mena, Arkansas). Unless they have changed recently, Arkansas is one of the few states who recognize Golden Age Passports and give one half off the camping fee.

Now, a word about that catfish restaurant, Catfish Village: it is just a quarter mile (east) off US 259 on Texas 155. It is, in fact, the original of David Beard's catfish restaurants which have become a very popular chain across East Texas and neighboring Arkansa and Louisiana. The chain is known as "Catfish King", but the original just goes by "Catfish Village".

We, of course, live in a little town directly on US 259. The highway mentioned above (Texas 155) is an excellent route from Texarkana (US 59 to Linden to pick up 155), through Tyler, to Palestine, Texas. At Palestine you can pick up US 79 to the Bryan and/or Austin areas of Texas. I mention this because this is the route we would recommend over the interstates via Dallas. We live just 3 miles South of that intersecton of US 259 and Texas 155.

OK, I've piggy-backed on my wife's good post enough, so I'm out of here.

Iowafan · 06-23-2005, 08:14 AM

We must have driven just three miles from your home, David and Shirley, as we drove north on US 259 and then east on Texas 155 to get to Alley Creek. Sorry we didn't know we were so close. Maybe next time.

padredw · 06-23-2005, 09:49 AM

Iowafan, you were even closer than that. If you were driving NORTH on 259 toward 155, you would have passed only one block east of our old home in the little town of Ore City. We are realy going to count on a "next time".

Bill and Ann · 06-23-2005, 11:25 AM

Never stopped at Shreveport. Closest we have been is the Flying J where we usually stay on our way to and from the Valley. Maybe someday.

sreigle · 06-23-2005, 05:58 PM

Thanks, Padre. I'll save that information in my reference folder. We hope to be able to visit you on our way south in January, if the weather cooperates. Thanks again.

Iowafan · 06-24-2005, 08:25 AM

Oh, I can't believe we were so close. We will definitely put you on our list for "next time". We travel from near Montgomery, AL to Fort Worth to see our granddauaghters, son and daughter-in-law as often as possible. Our next trip will be delayed by our excursion to Alaska but we'll be sure to look you up when we're driving to FW.

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