STAY
THE NIGHT...
 |
| The Cell Block in Clifton |
Spending the night in jail just got a little
more upscale…that is if you spent the night in The Cell Block in Clifton, Texas. The two original jail cells with the bars
intact have been transformed into a bedroom in one and a bath in the other,
with the old office area now a comfortable sitting room.
 |
| Sleeping behind bars |
And if
you need more authenticity, then try on the handcuffs by the door, take your
mugshot with the provided Polaroid camera and post to the “Wanted” board, or
listen to Johnny Cash sing “Folsom Prison Blues” on an old record player while
you gaze out the barred windows at the local alley art.
 |
| A little mood music! |
The Cell
Block features a few modern amenities too, including air conditioning, a queen
size bed, a coffee bar, a mini frig, a full bathroom, and a wet bar featuring
The Cell Block's own wine label, which is why these accommodations are reserved
for mature guests only. Feel like breaking out for the evening? Then
enjoy the lighted rooftop deck featuring a gas grill.
 |
| Escape to the rooftop deck |
The tiny cinder block building was built in the
1930s to actually serve as the Clifton jail. It is located in Art Alley
in the heart of downtown Clifton within walking distance of several unique
shops, art galleries, and antique stores.
 |
| Mural art adorns the alley leading to The Cell Block |
Since there were four of us on this trip and The
Cell Block only sleeps two, we switched out nights for this weekend getaway and
also took lodgings just around the corner at Screen
Door Inn, a bed and breakfast full of country charm next door to the Corner
Drug Cafe where breakfast was provided.
 |
| Screen Door Inn |
A hot
soak in a vintage claw foot tub after a day of sightseeing was spot on after an
evening of playing "Clifton" Monopoly in the inn's game room which
landed us numerous times but where else...in jail!
 |
| A touch of vintage relaxation! |
SEE THE SITES...
In keeping with our vintage trip theme, one
evening was spent at the downtown theater, The
ClifTex, just across the street from The Cell Block. This renovated
Art Deco 1916 movie theater shows first run movies the old fashioned way...one
showing each night of the weekend...and for only $5. Now that's a steal!
 |
| Movies the old-fashioned way |
If you like classic cars, then a stop at the
Clifton Classic Chassis Auto Museum
is just a block from the hotels. Shining Corvettes, Thunderbirds, Buicks, and
Chryslers from the 1940s through the 1980s offer a path back in time to road
trips on Route 66.
 |
| 1962 Corvette convertible...same style of car used on the TV show "Route 66" |
A visit to the small but professionally
maintained
Bosque Museum highlights
the role of the Norwegian immigrants who settled the area and showcases the
Horn Shelter Exhibit, where
you can look into the face of a man who lived in Bosque County over 11,000
years ago!
 |
| Bosque Museum showcases Horn Shelter excavation |
 |
| Decorated interior of Our Savior's Lutheran Church |
Continue
toward Cranfills Gap and see what locals call
The Rock Church, actually St Olafs Kirke,
built in 1886. Used today only for special occasions, the Lutheran church
maintains its old world rustic charm with neither running water nor electricity
heated by an old wood-burning stove with original pews and fixtures.
 |
| The Rock Church |
Our crime
on this trip? …Attempting to verge off
the beaten path.
Our
sentence? …A weekend of fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment