Welcome to OPEN ROADS 2002
July 5th Dallas - where's J.R.?
|
Heading for Dallas and Fort Worth to-day to stay with Stella and Bob Gilleland for two nights. Can't wait for a break from up at 4.30 a.m. Everything in car is very damp but the rain has stopped. Everywhere looks green and fresh. I believe we are seeing Texas at its best. I am surprised at the number of trees and undulations in the land. All creeks are full of water, the thirsty earth soaking it up with relish. Rich, red earth. Such a change from Nevada and Arizona deserts. Dead skunk on the road - PHEW, what a stink. The downside of an open car. We take some farm roads for interest, then onto Rt. 104. Stop at Olney for Coffee. they have had 5 days of rain. no wonder it is so green.
We head for JEAN, my mother's name! and take a right onto another small farm road. A heron flies over. Through Graham,wooded valley to Grafford. Stretch of road with trees, hills and bends, what more could a Healey driver ask for. I give myself a pat on the back for good navigating. At Mineral Wells we join Rt. 180. A wealthier area. Back to the mown front lawns but not mown quite as often as Maryland. Through Weatherford we pick up Bob's excellent instructions and arrive at his home early afternoon. Beautiful sunflowers in his garden The next morning wake up to find this wee creature in our bathroom sink!! |
Scorpion found in our bedroom the next morning Argggggh!
|
|
July 6th Rest day
Thank goodness for a rest day. Peter catches up with car jobs like super glue on the ever increasing crack on the windshield, now 12" long right across the driver's vision! I play catch up with the computer and try to write some e-mails. In the afternoon Bob and Stella take us into downtown Fort Worth to do some culture. We visit the Kimballe Museum with wonderful Asian art - Dad - you would have loved it. Buddhas in all shapes and sizes. Across the road is the Amon Carter Museum with the best collection of Remington and Russell's work of Western Art and sculpture - stunning. See picture of the original bronze cast of his famous 'Mountain Man' |
Bronze of Remington's famous 'Mountain Man'
|
This puts me in the mood for some Western horses and lo & behold wthin walking distance is the Wills Roger Equestrian Centre holding the Paint Horse World Championships. This building is like a circular Opera House with an enormous arena all covered and air conditioned. We sit in comfort and watch some heats of cutting horses. They have to stop a steer that has been separated from a bunch of steers, returning to the others for a set period of time. Very skilled.
That evening Bob and Stella treat us to what must rate as the best meal of the trip, both for ambience and quality , at the Texas Speedway Club restaurant, a great glass edifice towering over the track. Their two daughters Barbie and Karen join us and a great evening is had .
That evening Bob and Stella treat us to what must rate as the best meal of the trip, both for ambience and quality , at the Texas Speedway Club restaurant, a great glass edifice towering over the track. Their two daughters Barbie and Karen join us and a great evening is had .
July 7th Prosper by name
Away a bit later at 6.30 on I 35 North to clear Fort Worth then head onto Rt 380. We pass through Prosper, by name and by nature. New estates in pleasant countryside. Onto Rt. 121 across even more English scenes. Little town called Anna. At Bonham we head onto Rt. 82 East towards Paris. can't see the Eifel Tower. Pass Hot Springs where Bill Clinton spent his youth ( or should I say misspent his youth!). Stop at Perry's motel Lonoke for the night.
Prev. Page
Next Page
Away a bit later at 6.30 on I 35 North to clear Fort Worth then head onto Rt 380. We pass through Prosper, by name and by nature. New estates in pleasant countryside. Onto Rt. 121 across even more English scenes. Little town called Anna. At Bonham we head onto Rt. 82 East towards Paris. can't see the Eifel Tower. Pass Hot Springs where Bill Clinton spent his youth ( or should I say misspent his youth!). Stop at Perry's motel Lonoke for the night.
Prev. Page
Next Page