Archived Blog #17 - Last weekend of 2011 season

Final Weekend of our 2011 season!

Sunday, January 29

Our final weekend of our 2011 season had us celebrating Kelly's 50th birthday and a great crowd of wonderful guys, with a nice mix of new guests and long term members!  The days were sunny & mild with cool evenings gathered around blazing campfire!  Thanks to everyone for making our 2011 season full of wonderful memories!  We're closing for February and will be busily working on the shower barn conversion!  Look forward to March and our 2012 season!

Archived Blog #16 -Shower house Ground Breaking

Ground breaking News!

Out with the old/in with the new Showers

Friday, January 13 thru Tuesday, January 31

by Mitch

Finally, after seven years, great anticipation, and even a measure of skepticism the new guest toilet/shower facilities are underway.  It all started Wednesday with the unceremonious demolition of the rustic showers we are all too familiar with.  It only took a few short hours to strip out the showers, sink, and the beer pallet and stone floor, and return the shower barn to it's pre-Circle J condition.  The next step is to drop in 19 additional peers to support the new floor.  The completed project will be climate controlled and boast two standard toilet stalls (with real flush toilets), two private enclosed showers, one bath suite with changing room, shower and commode and a triple sink vanity. The completed building will also have a gym facility and large jacuzzi. We'll keep you posted here, and on the Camp Circle J fan page on Facebook as we progress.  We anticipate scheduling several work weekends for the labor intensive phases of the project so if you'd like to have a hand in the construction, keep an eye open for our e-mail notifications and sign up sheets.

Archived Blog #15-Friends Bar Closes

End of an Era around Cedar Creek Lake

Sunday, December 25

It's the end of an era here in the Gun Barrel City, Cedar Creek Lake area.  Friends bar, which has served the lake area GLBT community for more than 20 years has closed its doors.  It's a huge loss to our community and the community at large.  Over the years,  Leo & Rick and the staff of friends have raised tens of thousands of dollars for both local charities, such as the Cedar Creek Animal Shelter, Food and toy drives and of course to the LGBT and HIV communities.  Many lasting friendships were made within those walls, and you were never a stranger when you walked through their doors.  Friends  will be truly missed by everyone who lives out here, both in the gay and straight community and certainly by all of us here at the ranch! 

Archived Blog #14 - Christmas 2011

Christmas Holiday

Thursday, December 22 thru Sunday, December 25

Merry Christmas everyone from all of us at the J!  We hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and don't forget to leave cookies n milk out for Santa!  Don't want a lump of coal left in yer stocking!  We'll be closed for the holiday from December 22nd -December 25th.  Hope to see all y'all out here for New Year's Eve in the Country!

Archived Blog #13 - 2011 Christmas Party

Bear Paw Christmas Party!

Friday, December 2 thru Sunday, December 4

It may have been raining in Dallas Saturday afternoon, but the sun shown on the Bear Paw Weekend!  Friday night we kept warm and snuggly around the fire like a bear in its den!  Shawn & Dain won the scavenger hunt on Saturday, and brought a large pot of Taco Soup to the potluck!  Talk 'bout some good eatin!  The Pork Chili was smokin good, it brought sweat to yer brow and a tear to yer eye! Paul's pulled pork and the rub he used on it made ya wanna slap yer momma!  We held a pool tournament and cocktail party in the bunkhouse Saturday afternoon! 

Archived Blog #12 - Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Thursday, November 24 thru Monday, November 28

The ranch was aburst with fall color for our Thanksgiving feast!  Our family of friends gathered close, the house full of the smells of wonderful things cooking, the sound of children's laughter while running through the house with the dogs right there with 'em! We had a wonderful time here at the ranch, and I'd say no one left the table wanting for more!  The rain clouds parted during our campfire and we were blessed with an amazing night sky full of stars, the milky way, and even a few shooting stars to wish on!  Friday morning, some of us saddled up for a nice morning ride! Thank you to everyone who made our Thanksgiving, one to remember!

Archived Blog #11 -Fall 2011

Fall comes to the J

Wednesday, November 16

I've heard it said from friends in the NE, that TX doesn't have fall color.  Well, Fall has come to the J, here's some pic's!  See more on our facebook fanpage.... The weather's perfect for a lazy afternoon nap in a hammock.  A beautiful stroll through our forrest with the leaves cracklin under your boots, or settin with the guys in front of a warm campfire!  It's fall, take some time to enjoy it!  Come on out and spend some time with us here at the ranch!