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Who would have guessed it that there are real life cowboys and to be politically correct cowgirls in the world (other than dodgy building merchants back in the UK).
We arrived early evening after a full day travelling the Greyhound from Little Rock across state lines (Arkansas into Dallas) into Fort Worth and had a short taxi ride with Preacher Man with his laid back attitude and chilled out conversation whilst pointing out at random all the sites en-route.
We got to our room unloaded and then went out and within a few minutes were confronted by men in hats (who knew cowboys are real!) although these cowboys actually turned out to be from California (Todd and his dad started talking to us in a bar a little later - gave us some tips for the next stage of our trip). The stockyards really is like something out of a western complete with wooden buildings, cowboys and cheap liquor. Every bar had a guy with a guitar singing country (usually about being left/dumped, drunk or being a cowboy). We liked the place.
The next day we went exploring. We started with the daily cattle drive of the Texas longhorns which was actually more of a lazy stroll of a small herd who have a wander out twice a day from their pasture, do a loop of the block and head back. They all have names (007, Snort, Rita, Speckles) and seem a fairly content bunch. We then went looking in the cowboy shops - a pair of custom boots will set you back at least £700 (1 pair was well over £1,000) and the average proper hat was about £200 (felt hats and pink 10 gallon foam hats were about £5). I did succumb and buy some boots (not anything like that price though). That day was a fairly lazy one.
The next day we headed to Dallas. This involved a short bus ride then the train. The skyline of Dallas is pretty spectacular - the lines are very clean and bright and there's a real blend of old against new. We did the main touristy stuff - the Dallas Museum in the Old Red Courthouse (all about Dallas including JR's hat) and the JFK museum. The JFK stuff was really good - memorialises not only his death but also his life and achievements. It was very moving and sad. We stood on the grassy knoll (which you expect to be bigger), stood feet away from the window where the gunman allegedly stood (this is where the museum is located) and visited the JFK Memorial. On the grassy knoll there was even a conspiracy theorist touting his ideas and selling videos of footage (which we thought ghoulish). We ate at a small New York deli which was a welcome break from southern fare. After about 9 hours we got back to our hotel (after travelling back on a double decker train - maybe everything is bigger in Texas). The skyline at dusk was even more spectacular - we just couldn't do it justice in photos. It would have been nice to spend more time in Dallas as it seems a nice place with really nice people.
The next day we ventured to Sundance Square, the main area in Fort Worth. To be honest, we found it fairly pointless - there were a few overpriced cafes, bars and restaurants. We wandered round for a long 2 hours convinced we'd missed the point and would receive enlightenment round the next corner but no. With that, we retreated back to the stockyards to eat steak (sorry Argentina but Texas has the edge). That evening we went to the rodeo (well, when in Texas) which was slightly surreal - people take it very very seriously, the 1st 20 minutes consisted of live renditions of god bless America and other stirring anthems on the same subject (complete with singing along, all cowboy hats held to your chest and 2 confused Brits looking like they'd just entered the twilight zone). But it was all good fun - again all the bulls were named - although this time to instil fear (Psycho, Thunder, Goliath and George) and they seemed as into the showmanship as the cowboys. After that, we went onto Filthy McNastys - aptly named - while there, Mike visited the gents to see a pair of knees and a cowboy hat poking round the corner (you couldn't make it up) - not only filthy and nasty but also needs investment in toilet doors.
The next day was our last in Texas. We went on the vintage steam train (actually just a diesel painted in old colours) through a route that makes Sheffield to Leeds look picturesque. We intended to go to Billy Bobs, the largest honky tonk in the world, to find out what a honky tonk was but we completely forgot. We concluded it was probably a big bar that does shows, plays country music, has pool tables and arcade games and has a motorised bull. Can't do everything!! Next stop LA (Venice Beach) Kelly & Mike
- comments
Rich Sounds like you had a good time, although I am curious how much budget you blew on the shoes. One hopes that the spurs were included:) Any crazy nutters with guns? The last time anyone told me about Texas they said how strange it was in the evening just hearing gun shots going off for no apparent reason.
Steve Man, want to go to Texas now! Cowboy boots might not come in my size mind... Tell me, where the cowboys sat eating beans? :)