9e Ranch B&B, Smithville, Texas

Watch our 9e Ranch B&B Video

Rustic Log Cabins Among the Lost Pines
by Carl Burnham

When looking for a place to unwind and de-stress from our fast paced world, rustic log cabins and cottages await here at 9E Ranch. Situated on a 300 acre cattle ranch, the 9e Ranch B&B is just 30 miles from the Austin Bergstrom Airport and 10 miles from Bastrop or Smithville in the Lost Pines.

Michelle's Log Cabin

Horses graze in the pasture right next to Michelle's Log Cabin. In the late afternoons, you may see them galloping in from the pasture for their evening meal. In the mornings you can easily find the horses grazing lazily by the cabin with minature donkeys nearby. Bring some carrots and apples to get acquainted.


Ribbons line a corner of the living room of the many English horseback riding and jumping awards that Michelle, the owner's daughter, took home from area horse shows. A saddle and chaps sit in the loft near a queen sized bed. A twin day bed with trundle is downstairs near the kitchen and bathroom. Besides being a lover of horses (even the silverwear has horses) and the outdoors, Michelle was an area paramedic, fireman, musician, and photographer. She was driving from just photographing a wedding when she was killed by an elderly woman driving on the wrong side of the road. This tragedy led to her parents helping to get a Texas law passed (Katie's Law) which requires in-person driver's license renewals starting at age 79 and vision test, and starting at age 85 in-person renewals are required every two years.


Young Virginia pine trees surround the property, and the owners have planted well over a thousand trees around the gently slopping hills of the ranch. The wood gathered in building the log cabins and cottages were from a 1998 flood of Piney Creek that line the border of the 300 acre ranch.


Texas Lone Star Cabin was the first cabin built, using cedars for the hewn outer walls. Loblolly pines were used to make the beautiful interior flooring. The charming kitchen includes an authentic wood burning stove. The cabin includes a full sized bed and 2 twin beds in the loft with a skylight.

Each cabin has air conditioning/heat, TV with DVD/CD/radio, a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, cooking supplies and utensils, including coffeemaker, coffee, and tea. The coffee of note was a refreshing organic terra mountain blend. Our bathroom had a large assortment of natural salts and oils. The cabins are decorated with original artwork (by the talented owners), with personal mementos, and antiques.


The large living room of Eagle's Nest offers window views of the pasture and countryside. Lots of wildlife can be seen on the ranch. While on my walk I came upon a rabbit and deer. The romantically decorated main bedroom has a queen sized bed with antique bath tub. A sleeper sofa is in the living room. I liked the rustic cedar log exterior of Eagle's Nest (see more photos in our video and on our Facebook fan page).


Daisy Cottage has a full sized kitchen, hot tub, and 2 bedrooms. One bedroom has a queen sized bed and a bunk bed (full size/twin) is in the other. The large living room also has a sleeper sofa. From the large windows or the porch you can watch Texas longhorns in the distance.


At the Ranch House, guests can sit out on the deck or screened porch, chat with the owners, check email, or enjoy the views of the pasture. Nearby is a water garden with peach trees. An old timey chicken house holds numerous chickens and guineas that provide the fresh eggs for breakfast meals.

Several hiking trails meander around the ranch. Our companions for most of our hike were two playful black and gray cats. The more adventurous black cat was distracted by a rabbit and left us to our walk. In the far pasture is a small herd of Texas longhorns. They eyed me with a puzzled look as I hiked through to catch a glimpse of the fishing pond. Later I could hear deer running about in the piney woods. When returning from my walk I was greeted by one of the three donkeys who I petted and had a little chat with.

The sky comes alive with stars at night. I enjoyed sitting back in a rocking chair on the porch after a day of exploring while my new found friend, the gray cat curled up in my lap.


For our weekend breakfast the first morning we both had a sausage quiche. The next morning was a hearty warm breakfast delivered in a decorative basket filled with silver dollar pancakes, a western omelet, sausage, with fresh strawberries.

As we left the ranch, I thought of what I read that Michelle said while she was alive, "Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away." I thought back over the many moments that I will long remember here at the peaceful 9e Ranch B&B.

The 9E Ranch is located just 10 miles south of Highway 71 from Bastrop on Highway 304. From Austin, take Highway 71 towards Bastrop. After 20 miles, take a right onto Highway 304. Drive 10 miles and the 9E Ranch entrance will be on your right.

View more 9e Ranch B&B and area photos by joining our Facebook fan page.

We would like to thank Joan and Kent Bohls for their hospitality and for assisting with our feature.

9e Ranch B&B
2158 Hwy 304
Smithville, Texas 78957
512-497-9502
(tell them Southpoint.com sent you)