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Pine Cove

January 4th, 2010

Pine Cove started as nothing more than just a dream of four men sitting on a boat in 1964. The first Pine Cove summer camp was in 1968, started by Bill McKenzie. Over 800,000 people have gone through the Pine Cove camps. Pine Cove has six different locations that camps are held at; Towers, Ranch, Timbers, Shores, Woods, and Bluffs.

These summer camps are much more than just a group of kids sitting around a fire and singing and telling ghost’s stories. The camps inspire kids to dig deep into God’s Word. Pine Cove has camps for youth, young kids, adults and families. For kids and youth Pine Cove inspires to kids to focus on God and His will in there life. They will enjoy the adventures and excitement everyday. For family and the adult camps, Pine Cove tries to make an environment to allow a great away from your everyday life. Families will be able to reconnect and build stronger relationships.

Pine Cove is founded on the scripture verse, Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Pine Cove sends out groups of youth and adults every year to different places around the world to spread the Word of God. These trips are called “One:8 Trips” and last about one to two weeks during the spring and summer breaks. Many more trips are available for summer and year-round staff.

There is always a need for summer staff. They offer positions as musicians, counselors, lifeguards and so much more. Other positions are available through the year, in the kitchen, and serving meals during conferences and retreats, and much more.

Pine Cove puts on many conferences. Some of the conferences that are put on are Scrapbooking, “dads and dudes” (dads and sons in grades K-6), father/son (junior high boys and their dads), mother daughter retreats, Men’s conferences, women’s conferences, and conferences for each holiday; “New Years Family” and “Valentines Couples”/ “Romance Me”. Each conference has a special speaker, either a known speaker or a member of the Pine Cove staff. Check out their website for times and information on retreats and speakers.

There are four different retreat centers in the Tyler Texas area. They are great places to get away from the chaos and busyness of everyday life. The four center, Towers, Ranch, Timbers, and shores, all have newly built bunk bed cabins. If you enjoy the relaxing sunset over the lake or the excitement of zip lines and adventure, each facility has what you need according to the ages and size of your group.

Pine Cove offers an outdoor education programs. These programs are opened for group events and school field trips. Also allow your students corporate in the “Team Building” activities. Let your junior high and high school students enjoy the zip lines, high rope elements and much more.

Come make memories that you and your family will not soon forget. Build up old relationships and make new ones. And most importantly learn more together about the great love of the Lord through camps and fellowship.

More Than a Tree

January 4th, 2010

When the time of the year for picking out the tree you and your family will spend Christmas sitting around, make the experience a time that your kids will be talking about all year. Plantation Pines Farms, a family owned and run business, will guarantee a great family friendly environment.

Christmas Tree Farm Tyler Texas

In the early 1980’s the Wiggins family opened a Christmas tree farm and later a blueberry farm. Twenty years later the second generation family runs the farm extending their business to consist of Purple Hull and Cream Peas in the summer. They also consist of a firework stand off of highway 69 N open for New years and the fourth of July. They also are opened for school field trips to tour their tree farms, and in fall touring the pumpkin patches.

The Wiggins have a huge heart for children. They want to teach children the love of the Lord through the attractions of their farm. Call to reserve a field trip for your school for only $4.00 per a student and if you want them to provide a snack they charge $5.00. There is no charge for teachers or parents. Christmas field trips include a hay ride, games, and a movie time. They talk about their Christmas trees and let the children enjoy the farm animals. Also enjoy cookies and hot cocoa! Fall Harvest field trips also include story time and hayrides for the children. Your students will ride to and from the pumpkin patch and even get to pick a pumpkin to take home!

When you come to the farm grab a hand saw and grab a seat on the tractor and ride through the fields and pick out the perfect tree for your family. Plantation Pines have a great selection of trees, Virginia pine trees are the most traditional Christmas trees and fill your house with the sweet smell of Christmas. Leyland Cypress is the best selection for people with allergies. They also carry Northern grown trees and Frazier Firs from North Carolina. Prices very depending on size, condition and type of tree. All trees are prices and tagged. Come cut down your tree and wait for the tractor to come pick you up and tie the tree to the top of your car.

Come enjoy “pumpkin days” here at the farm. Sit with your family around the fire and enjoy a night time hayride. Come Friday and Saturday nights October and November for family fun during the night. Bring hotdogs and roast marshmallows. The Wiggins ask for you to call ahead for more information and to make a reservation.

While you are here go visit the cozy country store. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. Walk through the store and enjoy the home made reefs and tree ornaments and snacks. Bring a bit of country to your Tyler Texas Christmas. Enjoy the great company of this sweet family as they welcome you into their lives.

So this year instead of just picking up a tree that has been sitting outside of Wal-Mart for the past week, enjoy a great time with your family that you will look forward to every year.

Wit’s End Ranch Out In East Texas Country

January 4th, 2010

Wit’s End Ranch

As you unload your children from the car the excitement explodes through their scream and their eyes will light up as they are greeted by the miniature goats and sweet, small dogs. Wit’s end ranch is on 70 acres, family owned, here in East Texas. Wit’s End offers many different services. It is a great place to throw a birthday party! They also open for school field trips and other group events.

This is the perfect place for small children and toddlers to come play. Your children will not only love the large and exciting petting zoo, but they will love the zip line for every age, the toy tractors, and the giant sandboxes. Your kids will also love the large play areas and jungle gyms.

When we first went to Wit’s End, the staff was extremely friendly, and very helpful to make sure that you and your kids has the best time that you would not soon forget. They will show you around to their sweet and adorable animals. Where else do your little kids get to ride on the shell of a turtle? Or where else will your kids get to play with the miniature goats? Wit’s End raises Old English Baby Doll sheep, Nigerian Pygmy goats, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, extra small pot belly pigs, rabbits, chickens, cats, dogs and so much more. They breed many animals that you can buy and raise at home as a pet.

If you have a birthday party at Wit’s End Ranch, you can choose different events to do at the ranch. They offer making meals for your kids. They also offer a hay ride. This hayride is not just a tractor pulling kids as you uncomfortably sit on a pile of hay that pokes through your pants. They make the hay ride something more. Hiding things in the woods and putting faces on the trees, they make the forest come alive. Your kids will get lost in the exotic woods, and they will have fun finding the items that they hide.

Wit’s End is a great place to take your family. You will have so much fun playing with the animals and watching them do tricks. If you want to take your kids to somewhere new and different, Wit’s End Ranch is like no other place. Check out their website and call ahead if you want to schedule a party or school field trip!

Duck and Quail Hunting in East Texas

December 30th, 2009

Tyler Texas as well as many other east Texas cities are home to Mud Creek. This creek is found in many Texas counties but in Tyler any respectable duck hunter knows where to go hunting for duck in Tyler and East TX and that is Mud Creek. This creek has some interesting references. The cult classic movie about Elvis hiding out at a nursing home and washed up mummies called Bubba Ho-Tep was based on a nursing home in East Texas on Mud Creek.

Although the movie has nothing to do with duck Hunting we must go ahead and mention it as not everyone reading this cares that much about duck hunting. We cannot reveal where exactly on Mud Creek provides the best duck hunting so as not to give up too many hunting secrets. If you need to know the best location just talk to a few hunting enthusiasts in the area and they can point you in the right location.

There are quite a few quail hunters in East TX but still more duck hunters and Mud Creek also provides a perfect spot for the quail hunting enthusiasts of Tyler. If you are looking for a great place to go duck hunting than we think you will be more than pleased with what Mud Creek has to offer.

Hotels in Tyler Texas

December 21st, 2009

If you are visiting the Rose Capital of America, chances are you will need to find a hotel. In Tyler Texas, attractions are spread over a very wide area. Tyler only has a population of 100,000 people, but the city sprawls over enough square miles for a population 2 or 3 times that size to live comfortably. Unfortunately for you, that means there is no perfect central location for you to stay. You will have to be strategic in your lodging plans. Here is a short list of hotels and B & B’s near Tyler’s main attractions. (The price range is just an estimate. The lower prices might not be available during high tourism seasons.)
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Hotels near Interstate 20

If you are an interstate traveler who might be getting in late, these hotels are located right off of I-20. If you go this route, however, be advised that you are a good 10 minutes outside of Tyler’s city limits, 20 minutes from the Rose Garden, and 30 minutes from any decent shopping centers

Hampton Inn

If you have ever stayed at Hampton Inn, you probably love it already. This hotel was built just a few years ago. it is always lush, comfortable, and has a wonderful breakfast. Expect to pay between $100 and $170 per night for it.

Best Western

This is a newly renovated Best Western hotel that has a good reputation. The continental breakfast is free, and the prices are good, ranging from around $70 to $150 per night.

America’s Best Value Inn

This is a good choice if you are on a tight budget. It has an outdoor pool and internet access, and will just cost you between $45 and $90 at Americas Best Value Inn.

La Quinta Inn

La Quinta is another very nice hotel, offering a hot breakfast, an indoor pool, and a comfortable stay. Like the Hampton, however, it is more pricey than the others, starting around $100 per night.

Hotels near Loop 323 & Hwy 69 North

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There is a heavy conglomeration of hotels at the north end of Tyler. Personally, I do not think this is a very good location for a hotel. Not only is north Tyler a junky and sometimes dangerous area, there are no attractions close by, with the exception of the Caldwell Zoo, which is just a few minutes south. If you stay in one of these hotels, you are in no man’s land: 10 minutes from the interstate, but still 20 minutes from any good shopping or good restaurants. That said, there are some decent choices in this area:

Quality Inn Conference Center

The Quality Inn is a good name, and this is a nice hotel with a hot breakfast and cheap prices. Prices can range between $50 and $100 per night.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

This Holiday Inn Express is a comfortable hotel, offering a hot breakfast, outdoor pool, and prices between $90 and $160 per night.

Strafford House Inn

Each room at the Strafford House has a whirlpool tub and a 32 inch flat screen TV. Best of all, the price are still competitive, ranging from $90 to $160 per night.

Days Inn

The Days Inn is a cheaper option, costing between $55 & $85 a night. They also offer a free breakfast.

Other Lodging Options Here

Motel 6
Super 8 Motel
Economy Inn
Econolodge

Hotels near Shopping Centers on South Broadway

These hotels are conveniently located close to big shopping centers and great restaurants. Be advised, however, that it might take you fifteen minutes to reach the Rose Garden, and half an hour to reach the interstate from here until Loop 49 is completed.

Hilton Garden Inn

This is a beautiful hotel, with plush rooms with soft beds and flat screen TV’s. Unlike most of the other hotels, this one also has a restaurant, the Great American Grill. But it’s a Hilton, which means it’s going to be expensive: between $120 & $180 per night.

Holiday Inn Select

This large hotel features a beautiful lobby, a spacious and elegant restaurant, and very comfortable rooms, all at prices between $90 and $150 per night at Holiday Inn Select.

Candlewood Suites

This hotel offers large, comfortable rooms with full kitchenettes. Expect to pay between $90 and $170 per night at Candlewood Suites.

Sleep Inn & Suites

Here is another comfortable hotel featuring lovely rooms and suites with 32 inch flat screen TV’s. Another bonus: This Sleep Inn & Suites hotel features a free shuttle to the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. This is a nice touch, because the airport is a 20 minute drive. Prices range between $100 and $170 per night.

Comfort Inn

It’s part of the Choice Hotels group with Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, and others, so you can expect the same type of service as those ones. Prices range from $90 to $160 at this Comfort Inn.

Best Western Southpark Inn & Suites

Like its counterpart in North Tyler, this is a very nice hotel, featuring flat screen TV’s in all the rooms and suites, and offering a hot breakfast. Prices can range between $90 and $130 at this Best Western.

Options Near the Rose Museum

For some reason, Tyler’s biggest tourist attraction, The Rose Garden, home of the Tyler Rose Festival, offers no nearby hotels, unless you count the Budget Inn and the American inn, which I don’t. So if you want to stay somewhere close, I would recommend a nearby Bed & Breakfast instead. Here are 3 good B&B options in the historic “red brick district,” not far from the Rose Garden.

Rosevine Inn Bed & Breakfast

This is a lovely, old fashioned B & B that travelers will love. For prices on their unique rooms, visit their website at www.rosevine.com

Woldert-Spence Manor Bed and Breakfast

This is a beautiful, historic B & B. If you love Bed & Breakfasts, you will fall in love with this place. Here’s the website for room pricing: www.tylertexasinn.com

Chilton Grand Bed and Breakfast

The Chilton is the quintessential southern mansion: Balcony, white pillars and all! Room rates are between $90 and $100, but you’ll want to check their website for specific room information: http://www.chiltongrand.com

…There are other options

There are plenty of other hotels in Tyler Texas, but these clusters are probably the most common. If you are looking for something closer to a different attraction like Lake Palestine or Lake Tyler, check Google Maps for more ideas.