Surviving (and Thriving) In East Texas
Location: Chandler, TX
Accommodations: 5 Bedroom / 7 Beds / 2 Bath
12 Guests
Pets Welcome
We looked long and hard to find a place this magical for our summer weeks getaway! It was everything we’d hoped for!
Photos above were provided by the Vacation Rental host.
Our Paws-itively Fabulous Stay in Chandler
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to walk directly into a warm, wet sponge, try visiting Chandler, Texas, in July. In the summer of 2023, the hubby, the pups (Gracie and Jaxon), and I decided to brave the elements for a week-long lakeside retreat. To say it was “stifling” is an understatement—it was the kind of humidity that makes you consider living inside a refrigerator.
But, despite the outdoor sauna, we stumbled upon an absolute paradise that made every sweaty second worth it.
The Great Indoors (Bless You, Air Conditioning)
While the Texas sun was doing its best to defeat us, our rental home was our cool, quiet sanctuary. Entering was a breeze thanks to a keypad (no fumbling for keys in 100-degree heat!), and we were immediately greeted by the glorious hum of central AC and ceiling fans.
This house was a dream. With 5 bedrooms and 7 beds, we had enough room to get lost in—which is exactly what you want when you’re hiding from the sun. My personal highlights?
- The Chef’s Corner: A huge kitchen with every gadget we could want, including the holy grail: a drip coffee maker for our morning caffeine fix.
- Laundry Love: I might be the only person who gets excited about a full-sized washer and dryer on vacation, but it was a total game-changer.
- The “Man Cave” Plus: Just past the laundry room was a giant rec room with an air hockey table. We may have challenged each other to a game or two!
- The incredible views of Lake Palestine. Unbeatable for sure!
Puppy Paradise at Lake Palestine
Gracie and Jaxon are pretty discerning travelers, and they gave this spot two paws up. The house sits on a generous lot with a secure wrought iron fence. I loved this detail—it kept the pups safe but allowed us to stare longingly at the beautiful Lake Palestine just steps away without any wood slats blocking the view.
We did brave the outdoors each evening once the air became “breathable” again to walk the dogs through the quiet, friendly neighborhood. If you’re a boater, there’s a ramp super close by—next time, we’re definitely bringing a boat (or at least some floaties!).
A Few Cobwebs & Character
No stay is 100% perfect, and the backyard did seem to have a few “permanent residents” in the form of spider webs. It looked like the outdoor housekeeping had been slightly neglected, but honestly, given the Texas heat, I can’t blame the spiders for wanting to hang out near the lake, too!
I Really Loved…
We couldn’t have asked for a more hospitable home for our visit. Our host, Savannah, was a total pro—responsive, helpful, and organized. Even though the house was technically more space than two people and two dogs needed, we don’t regret it for a second. It was the perfect, comfortable home base for our East Texas adventure. This place is close to Tyler, Texas and all of the amenities that city can boast.
We’d sure love to come back… though maybe we’ll check the thermometer before we book our next trip!
