22 miles down the Neches River…in a kayak. When my boss first asked me if I wanted to do this with her, I thought she was joking. But then she told me she had done an 8 mile kayak trip and it wasn’t that bad. I like a challenge and proving I can do something … Continue reading “NECHES WILDERNESS RACE – A True Account”
22 miles down the Neches River…in a kayak. When my boss first asked me if I wanted to do this with her, I thought she was joking. But then she told me she had done an 8 mile kayak trip and it wasn’t that bad. I like a challenge and proving I can do something difficult so I got on board.
Mind you I have only been in a kayak once in my life over ten years ago and all I really remember from that experience was flipping out and being horrified of drowning. BUT- no rapids on this run, easy peasy, right?? Very, very wrong. I also would like to mention that my boss, we’ll call her “Mary,” said she would absolutely NOT leave me, and that we would not treat it like a race, but like a fun, super chill kayak ride.
So the day of the race comes around. I’m all good until it’s time to get in the kayak and I can barely do that. I’m all wobbly and start to get really nervous. “Mary” is at the front of the line, ready to go. They warn us it will bottle neck at the very start, so I hang back so I don’t flip in front of all the pros right off the bat. They say, “GO!” and Mary is gone. I did not see her again until the end of the race.
At this point, I’m still holding out hope that I will catch up with Mary. So I’m slowly navigating around trees and debris and just trying to stay calm. I’m doing ok… even made it under the first very low tree! I do alright past checkpoint 1; I believe it was about 4 miles. Checkpoint 2 is an additional 10 miles down the river, little did I know. There is NO current mind you, this is a 24/7 paddle kind of deal.
I can’t exactly pinpoint where it all went downhill, but I remember falling out about six times trying to go around obstacles and getting stuck, etc. My kayak was also sinking most of the time. That combined with my leisurely paddling put me in last place (though I didn’t know it at the time). At one point when I fell out, I decided it was a good opportunity to get the camel pack my boss was so generous to let me borrow. Pure bleach went into my mouth. I coughed and spit and almost drank the river water to get the taste out. Luckily, I promptly fell out again and was able to get my water bottles.
It was at this moment that it dawned on me that this whole trip was a murder plot. “Mary” was trying to kill me. But I was determined to survive. Eventually, I met up with some very friendly firemen. It took me a while to realize they were only sticking with me because they were actually the “drag boat,” which is the boat that follows the last person (AKA me) to make sure everyone is safe. Felt real good about myself at this point.
Making it to checkpoint 2 was no easy feat, but I finally got the hang of maneuvering through the obstacles- I even threw my paddle over a fallen tree I was going under and it landed in my kayak! I’m basically a pro now. Needless to say, I did not make it to the end of the race. At checkpoint 2 I was told it would take me 5+ hours to finish the race and I decided I wanted to spend the night at home and not in the Neches River.
I made new friends and now I have kayak fever- I plan to find a kayak that works best for me and will smoke “Mary” in next year’s race! I would highly recommend The Neches Wilderness Race to anyone who enjoys kayaking, the outdoors, or just trying something out of your comfort zone. If I can do it, anyone can!
Planning a trip to Palestine TX? Whether it’s for one fun day, a long leisurely weekend, or an exciting extended getaway, we’ve got you covered with the best things to do in Historic Main Street Palestine. From history buffs and art lovers to foodies and antique collectors, there is a great attraction waiting for you to check out for yourself!
Read on to find out more about our hottest picks for Historic Main Street in Palestine, TX.
Take a Free Downtown Walking Tour
Stroll Historic Main Street at your own pace on a self-guided downtown walking tour. You’ll be amazed at the antique, restored buildings, dating as far back as 1878, and the unique architectural styles accompanying them. Discover more about the history of Palestine in a unique storytelling form. Learn all about these classic buildings and the interesting lives of the people who once inhabited them.
Extending from Sycamore St. to Queen St. and Spring St. to Crawford, this walking tour covers a remarkable and essential area of the downtown central business district and now a designated National Historic Landmark. The compact area of the tour makes it possible for families of all ages to join in on the experience and take in a little history along the way.
Artwork around every corner makes exploring Historic Main Street in Palestine magical! Designed by sculptors across the state of Texas, Art Tracks is a vibrantly colorful, festive, and imaginative project beautifying the city and capturing audiences with each passing stroll. With 25 displays scattered throughout the district, native artist Jeffie Brewer has a collection of 13 different playful and modern sculptures adding playfulness, whimsy, and a pop of color.
For even more inspired and interactive public art, Palestine Main Street is home to more than 18 unique murals (and counting). Go on a self-guided Palestine Mural Tour for Instagrammable photo-ops with large-scale, outdoor, and hand-painted murals. These outstanding art murals come in a variety of creative styles including wildstyle graffiti, abstract realism, and vintage logo signage.
For an indoor glimpse into the Palestine art world, The Gallery at the Redlands is a great place to start. For both appreciation and for purchase, art lovers will find an eclectic collection of works by a myriad of talented artists. This treasured Palestine gallery lives on the ground floor of the historic Redlands Hotel. The assortment of art pieces by local and regional craftsmen, including sculptures, paintings, sketches, and functional ware, make it one of the hottest picks for art lovers to explore on their visit.
Get Your Entertainment On
Dive into entertainment to get a true Historic Palestine Main Street experience! Have an unforgettable night out on the town by catching a live show at the famous Texas Theatre. Watch as actors take the stage in one of the many incredible performances held throughout the year. Showcased in a stunning Spanish colonial architectural style, complete with dramatic facade embellishments and accompanied by a restored glowing marquee sign, this special historic theatre opened in 1917 and designed exclusively for Vaudeville performances. It even featured a live organ for playing music during silent pictures.
Later in its history, it experienced many change-of-hands and two unexpected fires, bouncing shows back-and-forth from movie theater to live stage performances. Today, it’s exclusively used for live shows, so be sure to take your seat among the many excited spectators and get ready for a dazzling and marvelous production!
Like to let your imagination run wild? The Carnegie Library has reopened its doors as the newly restored, public library returning after a 40+ year hiatus as it outgrew the beautiful Nationally recognized destination. Finally, back to its home established in 1914, its beautiful rejuvenation marks a new era for the town and welcomes visitors through its historic entry to meander the book stacks and enjoy family-friendly events held throughout the year.
Tantalize Your Tastebuds
Historic Main Street in Palestine serves up a versatile menu of dining options for any type of eater, from the pickiest to the most flexible foodie. Kick it up a notch at Hambone’s Cajun Grill with a selection of Louisiana-inspired surf and turf dishes, including blackened fish, fried frog legs, raw oysters, alligator bites, prime-cut steaks, and crawfish.
Satisfy your sweet tooth afterwards for a yummy scoop of handmade ice cream and a refreshing bottle of cinnamon red hot soda at Cool Cow Creamery. If these don’t delight your palate, there is also a large assortment of alternatives, including casual fine dining, American, Italian, Asian, and Mexican restaurants to choose from.
Go Antiquing
Whether you hold the oldest collection of rare coins in the country or you are simply intrigued by the past, Historic Main Street in Palestine has a plentiful selection of specialty stores selling vintage items and antique goods.
Named one of the hottest picks to go antiquing, not only does Duncan Depot Antiques sell authentic antiques, from classic furniture to vintage toys, but it is also located in an antique building. Nestled within the Studebaker/Lucas building, built in 1885 and remodeled in 1901, the original freight elevator is still in operation today.
Old Town Vintage & More features even more vintage goods and primitives, along with lovely local artisan fare, gourmet canned goods, and luxurious scrubs & bath seltzers. If your visit happens to land on one of their select class dates, be sure to try one of their creative group paint and craftwork sessions.
Experience Unique Shopping
Down-to-earth taste or posh preference? No matter your style, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Historic Main Street in Palestine. For hometown flavor, head to the Palestine Farmers Market for artisanal grassfed/grain finished meats, microgreens, fruity jams, genuine honey, savory pickles, and more handmade goodies by local farmers and craftsmen. Enjoy live music and even bring an instrument along with you to play in their acoustic jam session.
Try your hand at a real African recipe by taking a trip to Solid Rock African Market. This unique African goods store features rare and hard-to-find ingredients for skillfully executing authentic recipes. It also carries several genuine African garments and unusual accessories making your trip downtown more like you took one abroad.
Of course, your unique shopping experience doesn’t have to end there. Explore local boutiques for an incredible variety of styles and looks, ranging in chic “ooh la la” apparel, head-turning shoes, trendy jewelry, and true Texas western flair.
Your next awesome Texas vacation is waiting for you in Palestine and Historic Main Street has it all! You can even take a special, adults-only tour of this extraordinary area with wine or whiskey in-hand on the Palestine Main Street Whiskey and Wine Swirl.
With many great sights to see and even grander things to do, make Historic Main Street in Palestine a hot pick on your list of places to visit this season.
