Deep in the heart of Texas . . .

We had the best time at Brushy Creek Vineyard & Winery, but we've moved on - enjoying our various new wines along the way.

Coming to Texas, Harold's been itchin' for barbecue!  Wednesday, in the historic little community of Grapevine, we finally found some at Barkley's!  The ribs were outstanding!  After lunch, we strolled around the Old Town area and marveled at the old buildings, life-size sculptures and various sights.

Me on the lap of Grapevine's "sidewalk judge".

Thursday - It was raining when we woke up today!  But it cleared in time for us to take a planned bike ride on Bear Creek Trail in Keller.  Would've loved to make it a long one, but we had Trixie running along with us today and she is only a six-mile-dog!  Anyway, it was a fun ride in an urban area, and the trail sure had a very pleasant rural feel.  Pedaling along, we encountered ducks, turtles, squirrels, a big white goose and birds galore including a great blue heron!

Look closely - you'll see the blue heron!

Most of the turtles slipped into the creek as I was sneaking up
 to take their picture.  I think there were about 20 of them.

Refreshed after the ride with some nice iced coffees in the our "Little House on the Highway", we moseyed on over to visit the Williams clan in Fort Worth.

Well, were we just tickled to see Renee, Dewey and Staci?  It had been ten years plus, but it was just like old times!  Staci is there with her boys Hayden (11) and Matt (8) and we had a great time getting acquainted with them.  We went to Babe's, a funky old-fashioned place that serves only chicken dinners family style. The food was soooo good and even better enjoyed with old friends!

Staci, Matt, Harold, Renee, Dewey and Hayden at Babe's

Into Fort Worth the next day for sight-seeing, the first and a very awesome stop was at the Sid Richardson Museum, a really fabulous collection of paintings by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell - a truly elegant display of superb original works of art!  Then, over to a really big tourist attraction in Fort Worth, the old Stock Yards. It was a hub of activity when cowboys brought cattle to market. The flavor of the old days is still very much there, but it has been enhanced with - - - mega shopping, dining (b-b-q!), indoor rodeo and more.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any really good pics there! 

Harold & Dewey - So we all finally figured out how
 this Pay to Park works - fold up the dollar bills real skinny
 & stuff them in a tiny slot!  Now that's different!

Renee & Harold inside Coliseum Rodeo Arena

Ate lunch at Riscky's - great barbecue!  FUN DAY!!

Next day we all boarded the train in Forth Worth to do some exploring in Dallas. 

Just a nice picture of Staci & Renee as we waited for the train

A memorable visit to The Sixth Floor Museum.  "Sixth floor" refers to the place Lee Harvey Oswald took position and fired the deadly shot that killed President JFK.  That entire floor of the School Book Depository building is now a museum of that horrific event which shook our nation on November 21, 1963.  The museum is a worthy tribute to a man who, during his short Presidency, set the stage for a better future for our country.  The excellent exhibits in "The Sixth Floor", somber and thought provoking, tell the story of the assassination and, perhaps more importantly, the legacy of his life.  It is excellent!  Go there if you ever get the opportunity.

A "Free Libya" demonstration was taking place on the grassy knoll outside the museum today - also thought-provoking!

The faint white X on the roadway marks the spot
 where President Kennedy was shot.
 School Book Depository building is on the far left. 

Love the contrast of old & new.
Dallas version of Seattle's Space Needle!

In Dallas we enjoyed another scrumptious helping of barbecue and were ready to call it a day.  High-tailed it to the train station and back to Forth Worth.

Along with all the great sight-seeing, plenty of time for laughing and reminiscing about all the great times we had (twenty-plus years ago!) when the kids (and their parents!) were young  - antics in the neighborhood, coffee klatches during my old day-care days and especially camping and sailing our little boats at Cougar Lake.

Lookin' forward to more big Texas fun with the Williams family tomorrow -

"Nite y'all" . . . . .