Homeward bound was always one of my favorite movies as a kid – the story follows a lost golden retriever, an American bulldog, and a Himalayan cat as they try to find their way back home to their owners.
Doesn't everyone love a good homecoming story?
I sure do.
Turns out, I've got something similar going on in my life right now.
Last January, Mom came to me with the idea of starting a Bed & Breakfast on the ranch in Yoakum. It'd been close to fifteen years since we had lived on the ranch full-time. For her, it would provide a place for her Double D Ranch customers to lodge when they made the long trek to the home office and outlet better known as "The Mothership." For me, it provided an opportunity to get back into the meat game - I figured these folks would be venturing down to the "Leather Capital of the World" to buy some fancy western threads – indeed, they'd like to eat well too!
Growing up, our ranch foreman resided in a dilapidated hand house that sat next to the cattle pens and barn. Eventually, the house was torn down to favor a new build for a "live-in" nanny. As soon as Sam and I managed to run her off, Mom lost interest and never completed the project. For 15 years, this shell of a house has sat unfinished and in decline. It hosted a family of goats underneath its porch, which only compounded the condition.
Over the last year, we've "put some paint on the old barn" and whipped it into shape. Mom did her Double D Ranch thing to it, and I made sure to get in some culinary musts and a space for my Millscale … "The Hand House," as we still call it, has been transformed from an old forgotten dwelling place into a "Double D'ed" bed and breakfast, complete with cozy accommodations and experiential dining in the heart of Texas.
Like the lost troupe of pets in homeward bound, I've found my way back home. After years away from the ranch, I'm back where I spent my childhood – only this time, I want to share it with all of you. I am currently offering beef butchery classes, group sausage-making weekends, and culinary getaways. So when you are ready to kick your boots off for a little R&R in the countryside, stop by for quiet scenic views, comfy digs, and some delicious steaks. We can't wait to serve you!
We are currently taking reservations at the Hand House for the late Summer/Early Fall of 2022. Send me an email: jack@rawrepublicmeats.com