More photos from the road

Driving around the countryside south of Fort Worth Wednesday morning with my Sweetie.

Whoa, nice longhorn.

Wait..... was that a camel?

It is! There is another one...

And this (at 50 mph) is where their master lives... Nice.

Next, more photos from the trip on Labor Day. We took the "Tour of Historic Buildings" off the City of Arlington's web site. *

I will do you a favor and show you the best of the tour. Save your gas.

Apparently Arlington has long been known as the place to go for entertainment. In 193o's, W. T. Waggoner’s Arlington Downs Racetrack located on E. Division and the gambling casino at Top O’ Hill Terrace on W. Division brought people from throughout the US.

"See the decorative watering trough which is all that remains of Arlington Downs Racetrack. Step back in time and enjoy your tour through Arlington’s history!" *

Sad. This landmark will not make it through the sidewalk renovation in this industrial warehouse district.

"In the early 1920s, Division was known as the Bankhead Highway which was named after "The Father of the Good Roads in the United States," Senator John Hollis Bankhead. Center St. was the old military road and formed the town’s north-south axis. The first traffic light in the city was located (here) at the intersection of Center and Division."

"Thannisch-Vandergriff Bldg, 100 E. Division"
"This building is characteristic of the 1920s Commercial Style. Decorative brickwork patterns adorn both stories, while terra cotta embellishments highlight the second story roofline. Built in 1928 for J.C. Thannisch as an automobile dealership, the first six-cylinder Chevrolet in the area was showcased at the grand opening. T.W. (Hooker) Vandergriff purchased the building circa 1938 and a car dealership remained at this location until 1966."* (This building is one of the best sites of the tour. Has been redone recently with some grant monies.)

Church across the street...
"Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South (First United Meth-odist Church), 313 N. Center"
"In 1878, a group of Methodists met in Schults’ lumberyard at Mesquite and Front Streets and organized the first church in Arlington’s original township. Property was purchased from the T&P Railroad and the first church was built in 1885. The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South, the first brick church, was built in 1907 on the N.E. corner of Center and Division Streets where Vandergriff Chapel, built in 1965, is now located."*

"Arlington Theater (Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue) 224 N. Center"
"The Arlington Theater was built by O’Rourke Construction and managed by Harold Eppes. The theater touted a baby cry room and one of the state’s largest refreshment bars. The opening night feature attraction was "Story of Seabiscuit" on February 10, 1950. This structure is currently owned by Johnnie High and continues to be a popular location for nationally known country western music reviews."*

That was the best of the tour.

Now, the shots of our own tour through the Arlington area... (Photos taken 7/14/09)

Today, Arlington is known for Six Flags over Texas, the home of the Texas Rangers and the newly built stadium for the Dallas Cowboys (affectionally called "Jerry's World).

Workers were scrambling to complete the building in time for World Cup soccer games to be played here on the following Sunday. Great view of the "jumbotron" (my word, not theirs). Main screen is 7 stories tall. Side screens are something like 24' by 50'. (Do not quote me, lots of data quickly being relayed by the tour guide.)

Jerry stands at the top red circle and watches the game. His guests are in the suite at field level and red arrow shows where the the Cowboys enter the field. Everyone has a great view. Not a pole in anyone's view.

In one of the refreshment areas. Nice. (Some people did not notice this was a "football".)

Little black arrow shows where the old stadium in Irving is located. Will be imploded and filmed for broadcast to the public later. Texas Ranger stadium is the building directly in front with the Six Flags coasters just behind.

Our elevator had this lifesize photo of Troy.

In the broadcast booth. Not located at the 50 yard line as those are the expensive seats now. Broadcasters will rely on "spotters" throughout the stadium for their play by play.

This is the view the Cowboys see on their way out to the field. Quite motivational.

I will end today's tours with the view the Cowboys see as they enter the field.

The one thing I did notice about the stadium is the lack of advertising. May be some to come in the future but all has been kept to the actual food service areas.

Nicely done, Jerry.