Nestled in a quiet and wooded area in the back of a 30-acre working Christmas tree farm in northwest Montgomery County is a modernized log cabin that has been home to Red Caboose Farm Bed and Breakfast since 2010.



The farm has long been—and continues to be—the site of a Christmas tree farm owned and operated by Christina Malkus and her husband, Bob. The couple moved to the farm in 1988, and by 1993, had launched their choose-and-cut Christmas tree business venture on the property.



For years the farm operated solely as a Christmas tree farm until 2010 when Christina decided to renovate the then-vacant log cabin on the back of the property into a bed-and-breakfast.



"The cabin used to be occupied by my mother and grandmother," Christina said. "After they passed, the cabin sat empty for about five years until I had the idea of turning it into a bed and breakfast."



A lack of B&B options and added wedding venues in the immediate area, the relocation of major corporations and people to the area, along with the farm's close proximity to the Texas Renaissance Festival all contributed to the decision to open a B&B. Christina said the B&B is designed to offer visitors a more quiet and peaceful alternative to a hotel.



"It's one of those things that looks easy to do until you actually do it," she said. "I thought opening the bed-and-breakfast would be a little hobby, but it's really become a seven-day a week job."



Christina said the B&B sees many business people traveling for work during the week. Most of her customers come from nearby communities, such as Humble, Spring and Kingwood to as far away as Waco, Dallas, West Texas and outside the state.



"We are pretty much always booked," Christina said. "We provide a quiet and tranquil environment here that allows business people to be away and carry on with their work in peace, which can often be hard to do at a hotel."



Red Caboose Farm Bed and Breakfast offers two separate rooms with king-size beds that each have a private bathroom and shower. The log cabin also features a shared common area, full kitchen and outside porches. A continental breakfast is available each morning in the common dining area, Christina said. There is a maximum of four guests at the cabin, and no pets or children are allowed. Guests of guests are welcome to visit the property but cannot stay overnight.



"This is really designed to be an adult relaxation area," Christina said.



In addition, the grounds of the main house at the farm feature a number of exotic birds, a koi pond and a small lake with a variety of ducks, geese and swans. There are horses, donkeys, miniature horses and a Welsh pony on the grounds as well.



Rooms and rates



Deluxe room: Room includes fire place, king-size Sleep Number bed, large private bathroom and French doors leading out to a private screened porch for dining or lounging. Maximum two people. ($159/night plus tax)Deluxe king room: Room includes king-size bed, private bathroom and French doors leading to an outside porch with seating area. ($159/night plus tax)



Red Caboose Christmas tree farm



Four generations of the Malkus family get together at Christmas time to help operate the Christmas tree farm at Red Caboose. The farm begins selling trees the day after Thanksgiving and stays open until Christmas Day. Visitors can come choose and cut from three types of Christmas trees. Trees available this year include Virginia pines, Leyland cypress and Frasier firs, and range in size from five to 15 feet. The trees at the farm are on a five-plot rotation to allow enough time to produce enough trees between seasons, Christina said. During the Christmas season, the farm sees anywhere from 400 to 500 visitors per day and offers hayrides and mini train rides around the property to patrons. Barbecue cooked on-site is also offered to customers and can be enjoyed with a picnic by the lake at the farm. Access to the barn, which is home to a number of farm animals, is also provided.



Red Caboose Farm Bed & Breakfast, 14558 Tree Farm Road, Magnolia 281-259-9776, redcaboosefarmbedandbreakfast.com, Hours: Sun.–Sat. 8 a.m.–8 p.m.