Installment #10 - Retirement Trip

3-25-06

Thanks again to all of you who reply to our emails. Laundry, trip to Camping World in Denton, TX, and a little TV for rest and relaxation comprised our Day 44 on the road. After the downpour over the week-end in Dallas, the weather has turned cold. Watching the weather and hearing from NE and SD relatives, makes us know we are going to stay south for a while longer. Of course, there was the day when we saw it was 62 in Moscow and 32 here in Dallas.

Sharon just had to go to South Fork to see the ranch where "Dallas" (http://www.southfork.com/) was filmed…actually (picture of house, picture of Sharon sitting at table and chairs used in the filming of "Dallas") the story behind the family that lived in the house prior to and during the Dallas filming was almost more interesting. We saw lots of "Dallas" memorabilia in the museum portion. Picture of Tony and Sharon in mirror in one of the lavishly decorated bathrooms in the "Dallas" home.

We did take in Las Colinas in Irving TX, nearby Dallas….the "Mustangs of Las Colinas" (http://oror.essortment.com/mustangslascol_rvqo.htm) , the flower clock, the shopping along the canals, and the marble cows. Next on to Farmers Branch (www.farmersbranch.info/parksrec/historicalpark.html) to see 22 acre historical park, 1885 Queen Anne Victorian Cottage, 1877 depot, caboose (neither of us have ever been inside a caboose, picture attached), one room school house, church, land grant office, and lots of other buildings. On down the road was the "Miracle Mile of Furniture" (78 furniture and home accessory stores along this road).

Day 47 – Drove by the Texas Speedway (huge), and Dale Earnhardt Drive, then on to a tour of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing (http://www.moneyfactory.gove/)(click on Fort Worth (one of two in the U.S., other one in Washington D.C.). Was a great tour, but lots of security to get in. Next was a stop at the American Airlines museum (http://www.crsmithmuseum.org/) – lots of information, great IMAX movie taking us from L.A. to London. Our next stop was Cabela’s (picture) (the world’s foremost outfitter of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear). This place was amazing – Hundreds of animals displayed…Tony and I even took part in a little target practice at an interesting corner of the store.

We will be leaving the Dallas area on Day 48, Saturday, and heading for Oklahoma, and Kansas to see what other interesting things we can find to see.