The first stop on our two city tour took us west to Fort Worth and the Stock Yards. This area was once the central processing place for beef. Animals would arrive on cattle drives or by train cars. They would be sorted and sold. There were butcher shops here that would also prepare the meat for delivery to supermarkets.
While we were walking around a cattle drive took place right down the middle of the street. These Long Horn Cattle walked past us showing off their huge horns that seem to be 6 feet across. They even had one that was saddled up. You could pay $5 and sit on him for a picture.
After a great lunch of, you guessed it, T-Bone steak we headed off to explore some other parts. The downtown area is not very big but it has everything that a major city would have.
On our drive across I-30 East heading toward the "Big D" we were slowed by this Texan wanting to see if his Pick Up got better gas mileage if the wheels were pointing up.
We were greeted into Dallas with the views of giant skyscrapers. The next stop was the 6th floor of the Book Depository on the corner of Elm St. and Houston.
This building was made famous but not for the right reasons. Back in 1963 President John F Kennedy came to Texas to campaign. After being warned that Texas was not safe, he still decided to come. The Presidential Motorcade took the hair pin turn from Elm to Houston and that's when Lee Harvey Oswald took the shot that was heard around the world. The 6th Floor Museum is filled with footage and Police investigation of the event. It also address's the Congressional Hearings about the second shooter located on the "Grassy Knoll".
The picture below has an arrow on the window that the shots were fired from.
Here is the view from inside the building looking at the window. The boxes of books surrounded the window and where he hid from anyone that happen to walk past him.
This picture shows the exact view down Houston Street.
After we toured around the city of Dallas we decided to head home to beat the Memorial Day traffic that had started early. Once again there was another accident on the highway. This one didn't turn out very good for someone. They shut the entire highway down behind us so that they could investigate the scene.
Tomorrow we are headed to our next destination. Where? You'll have to wait till we get there. Enjoy your holiday!
5 comments:
that's when Lee Harvey Oswald took the shot that was heard around the world.<<<<<<
Does your journalistic background include a stint as a reporter with the New York Times?
While in Fort Worth make sure you visit the Flying Saucer for a brew or two. Rita, this is where I called you from last year asking if Studly was doing an art show. :)
Steve (aka Crash)
Last time I was there the Cowboys were playing. How does it feel been surrounded by Cowboy fans?
Rico
Since I've been a Cowboy fan since 1965, it feels pretty damned good. I remember the building years with the likes of Don Meredith, Bob Lilly, Bob Hayes, Chuck Howley, Lee Roy Jordan, Danny Reeves et al. How 'bout you?
My original question wasn't answered though, why do you just assume that Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shot heard 'round the world?
Thank you for responding to my comment. You wanted to know if I had been to Dallas. The answer is yes--I was born and raised there. I was in the 7th grade in Farmers Branch (located in northwest Dallas County) when he was shot.
Something that will always be with me the rest of my life is that I was in homeroom class wanting to get out and go to my next class and I looked up at the clock. It read exactly 12:30, the exact time that Kennedy was downtown being shot to death.
The reason I saw your blog was I had a "keyword" search set up with Yahoo and the name Lee Harvey Oswald came up on your blog.
I like your blog and will get the feed set up to my Bloglines account. I hope your travels are enjoyable and stay safe.
Thanks again,
Harry
Post a Comment