A Secluded Getaway Near Athens
COUNTY LINE MAGAZINE  OCTOBER 2008, PAGE 21, “Where To Stay”

by Jeff Gottesman
 
Not far from downtown Athens and only 30 minutes from Canton is the beautiful, 72-acre, Oak Creek Bed & Breakfast. Now, the term "B&B" seems to conjure up a wide range of ideas, and if you frequent these establishments, you never quite know what to expect. Sure, you expect a quiet, pleasant room, perhaps filled with period furniture, and a plentiful home-cooked breakfast in the morning.
 
Well, Marilyn and Randy Tarin, your hosts at Oak Creek B&B, have done some traveling of their own, and have been to places they loved, and others they wouldn't write home about. Since they love the outdoors, they decided to build something "different" and what they ended up with is about the furthest thing from a traditional B&B that I have experienced. Randy describes it as a "private state park that remains wild and undeveloped for people who love the outdoors" without sacrificing the comforts of home. After a day of hiking, fishing, or just relaxing in a hammock, instead of returning to a tent or trailer you can step into a beautifully appointed cabin with electricity, heat, A/C, and plumbing--but no distracting TV or phone.
 
As you arrive you'll immediately see that they were successful. Turning into the wooded driveway, I involuntarily took a deep breath and felt the tension of my week just melt away. The two cottages are just a stone's throw from the pond surrounded by undisturbed woodlands, and about 100 yards from the main house where breakfast is served. The rooms are furnished with just about everything you would expect in the finest B&B: fresh flowers, chocolates, wine glasses (BYO) a corkscrew, a coffee pot, cereal bars; and a refrigerator stocked with water, soda, coffee creamer, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. As a reminder that you're in the woods, there are also some uncommon things like binoculars, a Frisbee, Adirondack chairs on the porch, outdoor magazines, and a drawer full of board games. The rooms are beautifully decorated with photos, rustic furniture, books reflecting the Texas heritage, and one of the most comfortable mattresses I've slept on in a while.
 
On the huge lawn separating the cabin from the main house, you'll find hammocks, swings, horseshoes, and a huge campfire ring that you can use to cook dinner or just sit around in the evening roasting marshmallows and gazing at the stars.
 
When guests check-in, they are treated to wine and cheese on the patio and then left to fish, explore the hiking trails, or just sitting on the edge of the bridge and "listen to the quiet"-- and it is SO QUIET that you cannot imagine you are only a few miles from Athens.
 
Breakfast is a grand affair and is described as "Cook's Choice" with something special each morning whether it be a Southwestern Breakfast Roundup or Pecan-Blueberry Waffles--with fresh blueberries. When you make a reservation you are asked if you have any special dietary requirements and Marilyn abides by your needs.
 
There are just two cabins currently on the property and each sleep a maximum of two people: a great getaway spot for two couples! I encourage at least a two-night stay in order to fully experience the wonderful surroundings and relaxation.
 
© 2008, COUNTY LINE MAGAZINE
P.O. BOX 1320, VAN TX 75790, 903-963-3788

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