Judy Harris, Barbara Roberts, Susan Parker and Geils Hegranes touring azalea gardens in the rain.
Road Runners enjoy wine tasting in the barrel room at the Kipersol Winery.
Peggy Crandell
On a cloudy and rainy Saturday morning 44 Road Runners with umbrellas in hand, set out to view the spring azaleas in Tyler. Well there weren’t any azaleas, at least none in bloom. However, along with touring the city where we saw and learned about some of the grand historic homes and their residents, our day was filled with tulips, daffodils, pink dogwoods and redbuds. On a stop at the home featured in Southern Living, we did walk through their amazing gardens and could see the beauty of it without azaleas blooming. The owner’s cocker spaniel, Maggie, greeted us wearing her hot pink straw hat and holding a bouquet in her mouth. It was a popular photo op.
Our step-on guide, Anthony, who was very personable, knowledgeable and great fun, went out of his way to entertain us during our tour of Tyler. He arranged a stop in one of Tyler’s antique galleries where the proprietor served us coffee, tea and scones.
Lunch was delightful at the Potpourri House, a very unique dining and shopping experience all under one roof. Many purchases were loaded onto the bus prior to setting out for our next stop, the family-owned Kiepersol Winery. The family treated us to a narrated wine tasting in the barrel room. Next cheese, fruit and chicken salad sandwiches were served to us in the distillery room where we learned about their handmade vodka, bourbon and rum. Bottles of Kiepersol wine were stowed on our motor coach before we headed home.
In spite of the showers and gloomy skies, we enjoyed our day in Tyler. Most of us came home knowing and appreciating Tyler’s history and uniqueness. Many mentioned a desire to return to Tyler for the Rose Festival in the fall.