ROUGH CREEK LODGE
near Glen Rose, Texas
http://www.roughcreek.com/

Texans love to brag and Rough Creek Lodge (RCL) is the perfect excuse. Claims are not exaggerated. It’s definitely a superior property, but there’s no effrontery.

RCL Executive Retreat and Resort justifies the extravagant comments Texans are prone to make. No expense has been spared in building this get-away retreat. It’s for group meetings, hunters, vacationers, or anyone who wants to celebrate any occasion—like having a mighty fine day.

The owners envisioned a unique resort in the country to satisfy several purposes.

"We visited a place in Hamilton, Texas, that was used as a hunting retreat for executives, " says owner John Q. Adams. "The hunting was nice, but the rest of the year it was a financial disaster. We met with meeting planners to discuss ideas for a year-round property and discovered that there weren’t any five-star retreats in Texas for meeting planners. Then we talked to the heads of corporations and they told us they’d support such a place if there were one," Adams explains. "We bought 11,000 acres in 1991 with mostly deer and turkey on it. We wanted a one-of-a-kind resort. There weren’t any models. We are the model."

It’s unique all right, and what a model! Every bolt, hinge, pipe, or material of any sort is simply the finest that money can buy. University of Texas Professor of Architecture Larry Speck designed the building.

From the entrance gate, the building appears in the distance gradually, as if a land ship had settled among the vast, waving prairie grasses and nascent Hill Country chalk hills. An arched roof structure resembling an inverted Viking vessel shades the contiguous porch that runs the length of the building. There are 32 deluxe guest rooms and six suites.

One steps inside the main building to The Great Room--an expansive, two-storied, combination living room, dining room and bar area separated by a 40-foot limestone fireplace. The Great Room is both tall and broad, widened even more by the glass wall of windows that looks out across the fields and Mallard Lake. The lake, incidentally, is stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish for a catch-and-release fishing experience. You can fish from the dock or in a boat.

Next to the main building there’s a separate Fitness Center and massage facility located beside the swimming pool. Tennis courts are on the backside of the Lodge.

The Executive Conference Center in the main building integrates state-of-the-art technology with comfort, including ergonomically designed chairs and the latest in audio/visual equipment—it’s really something. There are four meeting rooms, each set to clients specifications and accommodating up to 48 persons.

I’m not a hunter, but Rough Creek Lodge might encourage me to become one. Everything has been considered for the convenience of the guest who likes to hunt. Briefly stated, the Three Day Executive Hunting Package (package price available with minimum of two persons) has: 1) no bag limits on quail, mallard duck, ringneck pheasant, chukar and Hungarian partridge; 2) meals include Day One—lunch, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, Day Two—breakfast, lunch, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, Day Three—breakfast and lunch; 3) deluxe accommodations for two nights, double occupancy; 4) practice round of Wobble Trap; 5) game processing and packaging; 6) fishing on Mallard Lake with or without a boat; 7) full use of fitness center and recreational activities (boat rental and massage have additional charges); 8) sporting clays. Additionally, there is a 24-hour hunting package or a half-day hunt.

All kinds of fishing and hunting equipment are available on the property and there’s a bevy of wildlife personnel--including the Wildlife manager and assistant manager who live on the property. The 29 hunting dogs—English pointers, Labrador retrievers, English setters, and German short-hairs—have their own caretaker and the several members of the wildlife department help train the dogs.

Of course the guest rooms are well-appointed—decorated with pewter lamps, leather chairs, solid oak doors, hickory floors, Texas wildlife prints and historic Texas maps, woven wheat-colored carpet and appropriately patterned and designed fabrics in earth tones that are indicative of a fine Texas country resort. The bathrooms are marble with separate bathtub, large shower stall and WC—how civilized! And the amenities are Texas-sized too. None of those puny little bars of soap that disappear while you use them, but rather a massive bar with an appealing fresh-spicy fragrance created for Rough Creek Lodge. And the lotion and shampoo are in Texas-sized bottles too. Actually, everything seems king-sized, including the two armoires--one for each guest per room.

My main interest, however, always concerns the quality of the food, and the dining here is excellent—as is the service. General Manager Paul Boccafogli shows the enthusiasm of a coach about his team of staff members. They deserve his praise. Young, courteous, eager, wholesome and hardworking, they assure guests a pleasant visit.

Back to the food. Chef Gerard Thompson, formerly at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, does a fine job. I tasted many of his dishes and found all of them to my liking. Some of the selections I enjoyed are listed below. The menu changes often according to what is freshly available.

APPETIZERS

SALADS

ENTREES

I’ve suggested some changes for the wine list which are under consideration so I’ll hold my wine comments until later.

There’s an exceptional summer package for the special rate of $179 which includes a full breakfast for two. You really shouldn’t miss this opportunity to become familiar with this extraordinary property. Please telephone 800/864-4705, or visit their Web site, for more information.