Singing in the Stockyards.
Fort Worth, Texas is the exact opposite of Dallas, Texas. Before I got there, everybody in Dallas kept telling me how much I was going to like Fort Worth. It's odd that they're so different and still grouped together so often. I realize now it's more because of location than anything else, they're only about an hour away from each other. The one thing I knew I wanted to see while I was there were the Stockyards. People in Forth Worth kept describing the Stockyards as a Rodeo Disney World. Since that's basically what I was looking for, I was very excited to check it out. Unfortunately, I didn't plan accordingly, the rodeo only happens on weekends. I still got to see the Cattle Drive though. Every day at 11:30 am and 4 pm, six men on horseback guide cattle up the main road. If you get there early enough, you can talk to them, pet their horses, and hear some fun stories. In case you're wondering, no, the cattle do not stampede up the street. To be honest, that was my first thought until I realized you could stand on the sidewalk only a few feet from them. I would describe it as more of a leisurely stroll. While waiting for the cattle drive, I met an awesome woman named Debbie. With thirty minutes to kill, I sat down on a bench and noticed a woman sitting alone, an impressive camera on her lap, and struck up a conversation. We chatted about traveling alone versus with someone and talked about all the places we'd been. It was really cool meeting someone who enjoys traveling in the States as well as outside of it. Hopefully I inspired her to start blogging again. I, for one, cannot wait to see what new stories she has to share. The Stockyards is its own world, people were definitely right about that. The few blocks prior to the entrance are all western shops filled with every kind of hat and boot you can imagine. There's also an old theater, the rodeo walk of fame, and western themed saloons scattered about, some playing live music on weekends. Walking up the main road, the Cowtown Coliseum is a huge building on the left. I got to go inside and see the massive arena. The Texas Rodeo Cowtown Hall of Fame decorates the corridors and the inside seats about 3,500 people. Ok, so I exaggerated a bit, it's not massive, it's just larger than I thought it would be. Cowboys, and cowgirls, on the sidewalk stand with their cattle, collecting tips for a picture of you sitting on one. At the end of the street is a big barn building converted into a row of shops. If you do ever come here, check out the beef jerky and olive oil shops and get some free samples. My couch surfing host, Cameron, brought me in on that little secret.
Speaking of couch surfing, I stayed with two awesome guys in Fort Worth I want to tell you about. I got to Cameron's place late Sunday night and relaxed. Cameron surprised me in the best way possible. Long hair, blue nails, and a fun attitude toward everything. We got along instantly despite him being a Cowboys fan. Tim I got to know pretty well and enjoying talking to. He's really interesting and he seems to be in the point of his life where I was right before I left on this trip; ready for a change and some new adventure. Since Cameron had the day off Monday, he took me around and showed me all of his favorite places and we checked out the Stockyards a bit together. I wouldn't see the Cattle Drive until the next day but I did get my first taste of the place. Trying not to interfere with their regular routine, and also excited to see what a normal week in Fort Worth might look like, we spent Monday night at The Boiled Owl in Fairmont. It's a smoky bar in a cool neighborhood with some good ole fashioned karaoke on Monday nights. If you're keeping count, this is the second time I've been to karaoke with a couch surfing host. This time, however, I did not sing. I left that up to Cameron and Tim. The two of them belt out tunes at all times and have really great voices to back it up. My second night there, Tim mentioned a song and asked me if I knew it, I didn't and asked if he'd sing it for me; half joking. The next thing I knew, he broke out a guitar and started singing. Amazing. If only more people would break out into song on command or even for no reason. This is not the first time I've thought that though, I often wish my life was a John Hughes movie; without the pink puffy sleeves, of course.
There are a few places you have to see in Fort Worth while you're there. The first I've already mentioned, but the second are the Water Gardens. It's a park designed by Phillip Johnson and is a beautiful combination of architecture and engineering. Water cascades down different levels that look like wide staircases and surround you as you walk down the steps into the center of it all. Looking up from the inside, all you see are the tops of buildings and trees peering over the edge of the large, extravagant water fountain. The entire park was made to inspire different responses. There is the active pool, then there is the quiet pool and the mountain. It's a great place to come and relax and write or draw, which is exactly what I did. The next stop, while you're in that area, is Sundance Square. It's an area downtown that is really beautiful. The city block sized courtyard is surrounded by shops and taller buildings and worth a stroll.
I think, other than the rodeo, I got the entire Fort Worth experience. I was a little worried on my way there that I wasn't giving myself enough time, but I did so much in two days without running myself into the ground and still got to see everything I wanted. It ended up being just the right amount of time.
When I was in Dallas, I made a new friend who gave me some tips on places to see in Texas. He was spot on with the recommendation for the Water Gardens so I figured I'd take his word for it when he told me I had to check out Dinosaur Valley State Park on my way to Austin. The only thing I knew about this park were that it was 41 miles southwest of Fort Worth and with a little exploring, you had the potential to see dinosaur tracks. That's right, real, millions of years old, dinosaur tracks. When I arrived there was a sign saying that no tracks were visible. Lets be honest, there was no way in hell I drove all the way there and got my hopes up just to turn around because a sign said so. Driving through the small park, track areas were clearly marked and I easily found the main track site. The parking lot was empty and I pulled in and went straight for the old guide maps at the top of the walkway. Pointing out where tracks had been removed and where they were supposedly visible, I took note and walked down the rocky steps to the creek bed. I must have walked up and down those stairs at least five times trying to find landmarks for where the tracks were. A little defeated, I took one last look down the hill and saw one. Clear as day at the start of the water covered rock bridge to the other side. I swear I did a little dance when I saw that footprint. Feeling like exploring in case I may have missed any others, I put on my rain boots and carefully waded across the creek to the other side. If you are coming here, be careful, and definitely do this if you can. The water is moving much faster than it looks and not all the rocks are stationary, it's a little hairy in the middle there. I came up over the rock bank and, holy crap you guys, I found dinosaur tracks! A lot of them! They're in a shallow pool that trickles off of the creek and are in surprisingly good condition. I literally squealed in excitement and nerded out like crazy when I saw them. Did I mention I really like dinosaurs? In 1908, a flood came through the Paluxy River, which now runs through Dinsaur Valley State Park, and unearthed large theropod tracks. Twenty years later, a fossil collector for the American Museum of Natural History named R. T. Bird, came to Texas and discovered even more tracks. Today, the park's mission is to preserve them as long as possible. Unfortunately, some have eroded over time and others have been removed for display in museums, but thankfully there are still a bunch to see; it just takes a little bit of exploring.
I get to spend this next week in Austin with my brother, Thatcher. I can't wait to see what the city has to offer us! I've only ever heard good things!
- G.
The Photo:
The Water Gardens.
Fort Worth, Texas.
4/4/17.
