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| [A margarita at H3, Fort Worth Stockyards] |
The journey wasn't without incident - but nothing too serious. My GPS threw a spasm when we arrived and refused to navigate us, so we got completely lost coming out of DFW. It's amazing how quickly it goes from urban sprawl to country backwater. I'm sure we could hear banjos ...
But eventually, like we have for the last 6 years, we got to Fort Worth, Stockyards. Now, it would be too easy to pick holes in the Stockyards - it's obviously designed for a certain type of American tourist that likes to dress cowboy style at the weekends - sharp blue jeans, smart tucked-in shirt, big belt and stetson. But hey, I'm a sucker for all that so I love the place.
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| [Beef ribs at Riscky's, Fort Worth Stockyards] |
So each year, it's a frozen margarita at the H3 saloon, where you get to sit on bar stools with saddles on (yeehaw! sorry, I said I wouldn't do that anymore). Then off to Risckys for all-you-can-eat beef ribs. Problem is, I can't actually eat more than the first plate - I always order one more out of politeness rather than hunger. Note to all of you English BBQ joints - note the presentation, or lack of it. That's how it should be done!
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| [Joe T Garcia's] |
Fort Worth is also famous for its steak houses - Cattlemen's dates back to 1947, and is a quality, reliable steakhouse. Personally, I favour the johnny-come-lately H3 in the Stockyard's Hotel. We ate in Cattlemen's this year, and I'll get to eat in H3 at the end of the trip - I'll try and compare them for you later.
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| [Fajitas at Joe T Garcia's] |
We also got me my cowboy fix. Two nights at the rodeo this year, which had me a hollerin' as loud as any Texan (much to the embarrassment of my daughter). Plus the usual Stockyards rituals of the cattle drive down the main street (a few, slow moving longhorns enjoying a pampered retirement, and no risk of a stampede), and a shoot out between a few old boys in costume that keeps the kids (and me) amused.
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| [Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum] |
Ps. You can see more photos from here, and my travels in general, at my Flickr account.
There is quite a bit of highway construction between Hillsboro and Austin nowadays, so be careful, and expect some delays.
ReplyDeleteAt the start of the trip, if you are driving down Central Expressway (US-75), and you want to avoid going through the downtown Dallas Mixmaster, I would suggest staying on 75 as it becomes Interstate 45.
10 miles South of downtown it connects-up with I-20, and if you take I-20 West, in another 6 miles it will connect back with I-35 South.
Back when I lived in Dallas, one time my GPS suggested this route, and to my surprise, it was not only faster than trying to go through the Mixmaster, but actually relaxing compared to the stress of the normal route.
Good luck, and don’t forget to stay to the right! ;-)
Thanks! In the end it was all pretty uneventful - as I was coming from Fort Worth, I just picked up the I35 north to get to Gainesville, and the Summer Camp, then straight south to Austin. Boring, but easy. But thanks for the advice!
ReplyDelete