I was up early again and went to a similar location to yesterday for some photographs of the Dallas skyline. I was not the only one today as I walked across to a different bridge to see what that looked like and there were four other photographers there with their tripods. This particular bridge had a tramline going a across it, alongside the road. A tram came along, stopped and blew its horn at one of the fellow photographers who was apparently too close to the line - he didnt think he was and I would agree with him. Anyway, bloody photographers getting in everyones way.
We were leaving Dallas today and ultimately heading back to Houston to catch our flight home. First, however, we thought we would pop across to Fort Worth and go to the Stockyards - thats stock as in cattle, not stock as in shares. We aimed to get there before 11.00 as that is one of the times when a cattle drive takes place.
We ended up driving on that junction we saw from the tower yesterday (see Ashamed to Mention JFK and Trump on The Same Page) and it was, indeed, and stressful. The Americans have not helped with
the very unhelpful signs, the road markings, the inconsiderate drivers who dont help anyone change lanes and the short time allowed to get into the correct lane or be dammed. I have to say they could learn a thing or two from how clear the signs are in the UK - those 3, 2, 1 signs would be very much appreciated. Not to mention the British good manners when people are changing lane!
We got there, found a parking space, parked and then proceeded to try and pay as it was one of those absolute pain in the backside carparks. It made no allowances for phone numbers, but just as I was about to have a we discovered that the road we had parked on (alongside a number of other cars) was about to be used as part of the route of the cattle drive and it was too late to move. We had images of a herd of rampaging, cattle in a stampede totally trashing our car. How would I explain that one to the car rental company?
could probably have counted the number of cattle with my fingers (plus a couple of toes maybe). Second, neither was it a stampede, in fact it was very sedate and the cattle seemed well under control. Phew. I guess that was to be expected given the crowds of people along the route.
Once the car had survived intact, we decided we would move it, given that we didnt want a ticket for We drive out of the stockyards slightly and found a carpark nearby with an actual person who you could pay actual cash to. $5 and job done.
One thing we have continuously noticed about Texan men is that they very often seem to have a beer in their hand - a clich that I have seen on some TV programmes. I have even been offered a beer a couple of times, presumably, as I looked out of place without one. Its especially true here. I saw one particular guy in a cowboy hat, with a beer in his hand and standing in front of a huge truck. That is Texas in one image, unfortunately I thought it inappropriate to photograph him.
the only addition should have been the Dont mess with Texas or the Come and take it slogans written on the truck (see Texan History Day).
I debated a cowboy hat, but whilst its part of the scenery here, it would look so out of place back in the UK, although Im sure no one would laugh at me?
After the excitement of the cattle run, we had a look round. It is clearly not such an active stock yard as perhaps it used to be and has been largely taken over for tourism now. What used to be the with a railway line through the middle to unload the cattle, is now full of the tourist tat shops.
After we had had a look round, we headed into Downtown Fort Worth as we had a directive from our daughter back with some cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. The contrast to Downtown Dallas is stark.
