Sorry, I just could not resist linking to the Dallas theme song. It is hard not to think of that iconic TV introduction when driving into Dallas, TX. This was my final stop on my 2015 Baseball & Barbecue Tour of Texas. I briefly visited Dallas during college, but this was an opportunity to explore more of the Dallas-Fort Worth area before heading home. Flying over Texas was a little faster than driving, but far more exciting and gave me an opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people. Landing at the delightful Love Field, it was time to head out for food and fun.
Dealey Plaza with the "Grassy Knoll"
After a brief and uninspiring stop at a highly recommended, but terrible barbecue joint near the airport, I headed downtown to visit the site of the JFK assassination - Dealey Plaza. Even though I did not live through the tragedy, I have seen enough video and pictures to know the place. Being there is just a bit weird. I have been to many tragic sites over the years - Oklahoma City federal building, World Trade Center, Dachau - and this place has a similar energy that something bad happened here. There is a museum that depicts and explains the event from the 6th floor of the former Texas Book Depository, including the conspiracy theories and backgrounds of the main characters. It is not a happy place, but an important place in American history.
Restored Douglas DC-3 at C.R. Smith Museum
After a needed relaxing night, I headed out for a day of museums near the DFW Airport. I used Love Field for my flights, but it was much cheaper to stay near the other airport; go figure! First stop was the C.R. Smith Museum named after the former president of American Airlines. This wonderful museum near the DFW Airport and American Airlines corporate headquarters was established by airline employees to document the history of the airline and its activities. I was surprised by the depth of the exhibits which appealed to the inner aviation nerd in your humble author. Who does not like seeing a DC-3?
Original Norman Rockwell Painting of The Eagle Scout
Just down the road from the Smith Museum was the National Scouting Museum. As an Eagle Scout, I had to stop here! The museum is located at the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America in Irving, TX. Most of the exhibits are interactive displays of typical scouting activities clearly designed for young boys in scouting, but they have an extensive collection of artwork and the history of scouting in the United States. The Boy Scouts are still struggling with major issues in modern society, but I think the struggle will make the entire organization stronger and will evolve into a much better group for all boys and adults. They did a good job with me, and I want them to continue for a long time.
Brisket and Ribs with French Fries and Beans
This was the best barbecue on my trip. The folks at Hard Eight BBQ in Coppell, TX are making some excellent barbecue. The restaurant is easy to spot with plumes of tasty smoke billowing into the distance. You stand in line before the great pit with the smoke wafting in every so often with momentary glances of the lucky ones being served first. After you have plenty of time to decide, change your mind, then change back about which meats to get, you tell the pit boss how much of each meat you want or if you want sandwiches or grilled corn. The meats are weighed, then you are tempted by the sides - there are free beans after you pay - and grab a cold drink before finding a seat in the spacious restaurant.
I had ribs and brisket with a side of fries and beans with both BBQ sauces. The brisket was excellent. It was juicy, very meaty, with excellent smoke and bark. I did not need any sauce for the brisket which fell apart even by looking at it! The ribs were also excellent, especially when paired with the house sauce which has a smoky sweet flavor that really compliments the ribs. I will think about this meat for a very long time.
After lunch, one of the more interesting stops was the place where photography and cameras were prohibited - the Bureau of Engraving and Printing near Fort Worth, TX. This factory is literally where the buck starts! They are responsible for printing most of the United States Currency in circulation with extensive quality and security controls. You are probably carrying their product right now; just look for a little "FW" before the smaller serial number on the note in the corner. No FW means it was made in Washington, DC. Visitors are encouraged to take a free and extensive tour of the factory and museum including a stop at the gift shop to buy uncut sheets of currency and bags of shredded notes. Sorry, no free samples!
3rd Base Entry at Globe Life Park
It was finally time to visit my 27th MLB Ballpark - Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX. This is the home of the Texas Rangers and is right next to AT&T Stadium home of a small group of guys called the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe you have heard of them. It is sports central in Dallas and located smack dab between Dallas and Fort Worth in a somewhat sketchy part of town. At least there is a Six Flags nearby! The Rangers were battling the Cleveland Indians and eventually lost, but not after Adrian Beltre hit his 400th home run. They play the Giants in August, but I felt May was a much better time to visit Texas.
I was not as impressed with this ballpark. It is rather old and starting to show its age. The food and drink options were nice, but it missed the mark with playing "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and having a colored dot race along the bases; most other ballparks have much better in-game entertainment including Houston which played "Deep in the Heart of Texas" which is a much better song. Nevertheless, they pack the stands and everyone is having a good time. I am glad I visited, but I am also glad I have AT&T Park back home.
Old Fort Worth Stock Yards
On my last day in Texas, I was fortunate to spend it with a good friend from college and her family. We caught up on everything while visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards for a Tex-Mex lunch and a mosey through the old town area. It was a nice way to end my trip before heading back to California.
Downtown Dallas
Dallas is a tough city for me to love. It is a very conservative city and has a lot of traffic and people spread out over too much boring suburbia. This trip really stressed my limits dealing with driving through rush hour traffic, planning around massive storms and heat, and seeing and hearing the unique political nature in and around Dallas. I wish them the best and will always remember the excellent barbecue, but I was very glad to see my Southwest airplane ready to take me home to Sacramento and California. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.
Houston, we have a problem. It is raining too much! I had three goals in visiting Houston - see my San Francisco Giants play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, eat some fresh Gulf shrimp, and visit the Houston Space Center. I was successful in doing all three in spite of the relentless rain and humidity. In Texas, the rain is warm and humid which made it possible to wear shorts even when it was still pretty cold back home! Houston is a large major city near the Gulf of Mexico and is dominated by the oil and shipping industries. After a 45 minute flight from Austin into the smaller Hobby Airport and renting another car, it was time to start exploring.
Minute Maid Park
Without missing a beat, it was time to see my Giants play the Astros. Minute Maid Park was my 26th MLB ballpark. The park has a retractable roof and several unique features, most unique are the railroad-themed aspects related to the location near the former Union Station. The former lobby of the station serves as one of the more interesting entrances to the generally boring exterior of the stadium. The ballpark features a replica steam locomotive that whistles and chugs before each game and after each Astros home run. I went to two games over two nights and the Giants and Astros both won one, but I still had a wonderful time.
Saturn V Rocket at Johnson Space Center
Space Center Houston is the base for tours of the NASA Johnson Space Center near Houston. Mother Nature dropped over three inches of rain overnight which flooded the freeway and many roads near the space center which caused massive traffic delays, but I found a detour and moved on. The visitor center is old and geared towards kids, but the real gem is the tour of the still active NASA facility. It was very cool to see the control center and simulation areas and the rocket displays. The tour gave a lot of information about past, present, and future space exploration and is highly recommended for any space cadet.
Fried Shrimp with Red Beans & Rice and French Fries
Fresh shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico are a wonderful treat. We in California have access to great crab and salmon, but Gulf shrimp are just so good. Bubba's Shrimp Palace - yes that is the real name - is a classic example of a waterfront seafood restaurant. $25 gets you unlimited fried shrimp with potato chips, hushpuppies, two sides, and lots of good tales about the shrimp and the area. The owner drives out each morning to buy fresh shrimp and prepares them perfectly to order. These plump and juicy morsels were perfect in every way and filled me up in a most pleasant manner. Plus the drive was a great way to experience the unique Gulf area, even with the gentle, but annoying rain.
Back in Houston, it was time for another Giants game. We lost this one, but I managed to eat several $1 hot dogs with plenty of beer. My hotel was near the light rail so I was able to indulge a bit. On the previous night, I opted for the BBQ Baked Potato loaded with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and brisket. One of the best parts of visiting the Giants on the road is the ability to get up close and personal. There are usually smaller crowds, and the players love any and all positive attention on the road. I have seen Cain, Lincecum, and the rest much closer and relaxed outside AT&T Park, but I forgot my pen! Oh well.
Downtown Houston Skyline
Houston exceeded my admiringly low expectations, but I do not think I will return for a long time. This large industrial city has a lot of nice features, but nothing that spectacular. I enjoyed my trip seeing the sights, eating the food, and watching my Giants all while dodging the rain storms and trying to keep cool and dry. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.
Mockup of the Space Shuttle 747 Transport
International Space Station Simulator
Saturn V Rocket Building
Second Stage of Saturn V Rocket
Replica of Space Shuttle Cockpit
Main Level Mezzanine of Minute Maid Park
Tim Lincecum Posing for a Selfie
Loaded BBQ Baked Potato
Galveston Bay View from Bubba's Shrimp Palace
Downtown Houston with the Standard Horizontal Texas Traffic Light
Austin, TX was the first stop on my 2015 Baseball & Barbecue Tour of Texas. I briefly visited Texas several years ago, but I really have not spent much time in the state. This combined with the San Francisco Giants visiting Houston for interleague play made this trip happen. The plan was to fly into Austin, fly to Houston, then Dallas, then return home. Since I love some good barbecue, I also wanted to taste some Texas-style barbecue, especially brisket. I flew Southwest Airlines and experienced a lot of rain on this trip, so I had to use this picture to start the pictorial journey.
Shiner Bock Monte Cristo Sandwich and Mexican Coke
Austin is the state capitol of Texas and probably the most liberal part of the state. They are also well known for their diverse food scene - especially the ubiquitous food trucks - and their lively music scene. I made sure to sample both during the trip, including the above pictured Monte Cristo sandwich from Hey!... You Gonna Eat or What? made with pit smoked meats and a delicious fig and cherry jam. An excellent start to the city, especially acclimating to the humidity and heat of the Texas hill country. Fortunately, my first day was dry which would be a rare treat over the week.
The Sideshow Tragedy at The Continental Club
After striking out with the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats not swarming towards their dinner, I took a short ride to one of the better music clubs to see The Sideshow Tragedy play at The Continental Club. This local blues-rock duo rocked the house and were cooler than the Lone Star and Shiners in the audience. This SoCo club has rocked audiences since Elvis and still hosts some of the best bands in Austin. Many local and national bands love to play Austin which supports a fine music scene, even if the music caused this author to lose a bit of hearing for the rest of the weekend.
Gourdough's Sunday Brunch
After a long night of food, music, and adult beverages, a slow Sunday was perfect for some gourmet doughnuts and some Texas wine tasting. I know, gourmet doughnuts and wine? Is this Texas? Yes. Gourdough's makes gourmet doughnuts one at a time in a restored Airstream trailer and tops them with all sort of crazy and delicious goods; mine had maple frosting and bacon. Then the rain started. So I headed to the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas campus. LBJ had a very interesting and controversial presidency including being a rather strong and colorful liberal politician from a very conservative state. Medicare and Vietnam, discuss.
Texas State Capitol
Once the rain passed, a beautiful May day arrived in the capitol. That gave me an excellent opportunity to visit the Texas State Capitol and take some great pictures. This is a large building for a large state and has been the host of some rather lively and controversial discussions. One of the unique features is the overhead lamps that spell out Texas with light bulbs. One thing you quickly learn visiting Texas is that Texans love Texas. There are Texas flags EVERYWHERE. I have never seen this much passion for a state, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times.
William Chris Vineyards
After a stop at the world's largest Whole Foods in downtown Austin, it was time for the short drive to Texas Hill Wine Country. If you look past the tourist traps and wineries using non-Texas grapes, there are several wineries making an excellent product. One of them, William Chris Vineyards, was recommended and worth the effort. Wines in Texas have a different taste and profile compared to the typical California and French styles, but these guys are slowly making waves in the industry and appealing to the local spirit and daring of the Texas spirit.
All You Can Eat Barbecue at Salt Lick BBQ
Nestled in the hill country is the Salt Lick BBQ near Driftwood, TX. This large ranch-style barbecue restaurant is sprawled over several acres and famous for the family-style meals of beans, potatoes, cole slaw, and all the barbecued meats you can handle. This was a good place to start my barbecue journey. Texas barbecue is focused mainly on beef, with much less sweetness and more spice. They are rightly famous for their brisket - a byproduct of the massive cattle industry and need to prepare lesser cuts of meat not desirable on the export market. The sausages were excellent, but most everything else would actually be one of the lesser experiences of the trip.
Excellent Brisket and Sides from Rudy's Country Store
Then the sky opened up and the rains began. Coming from California, rain is a rare commodity these days, but this week in Texas was literally flooded with rain. Most iPhones have Emergency Alerts for weather, but these are rare in California. When the phone blows up with flash flood and tornado alerts, you really take notice. I was planning on driving to San Antonio, but torrential downpours kept me in Austin which meant more barbecue and museums. I visited the Bullock Texas State History Museum and IMAX which allowed for a day of Texas history and the latest Avengers movie! Texas has a storied history under Six Flags - hence the name of the theme parks - most of which dealt with complex issues around slavery and settling the west.
The rain delay also gave me an opportunity to try Rudy's Country Store an excellent local barbecue gas station chain in Texas and several other states. This was far more typical of the pit-style restaurants in Texas where you choose your meats by the pound served on classy tableware like butcher paper and plastic trays. This brisket was light years beyond the Salt Lick with the famous smoke rings and excellent texture. Sauce was very optional and complimented the creamed corn nicely. This meat restored my faith in the barbecue potential of the trip.
Congress Avenue Bridge without the Famous Bats
With all the rain and severe weather, it was fortunate that I was flying high above it between cities. I had a really nice trip to Austin and will be back soon. Austin is highly recommended for everyone looking for a fun Texas trip with lots of good food, music, wine, and other Texas-style adventures. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.
