Mom And Dad Do Dallas

Well, I had me another day with Mom and Dad. My day started sometime between 2 and 3 this morning. I picked up Mom and Dad a bit after 10.

Dallas was on the agenda for today. For the most part. Headed east on I-30, entered downtown Dallas via the infamous Triple Overpass. I was heading to the Dallas Farmers Market.

The Market was not very busy so we were able to park inside the shed. Mom seemed a bit worried that one is not supposed to do that.

The Parental Units got some blueberries and nuts. Then it was off to the Texas State Fairgrounds, known as Fair Park. I did not realize, til today, that you can drive all over the fairgrounds. I thought there were guard posts to stop that type activity. So, I was able to drive the entire fairgrounds. Pointing out where Big Tex stands, among other things, like driving right up to the Cotton Bowl. The entry to the actual football field was open. I could have driven down there. But, Mom would have had a panic attack. Anyway, Mom and Dad have now had a visit to the Texas State Fair. Sort of. Including the Carnival Midway.

I headed over to White Rock Lake en route to one of the World's Most Unique McDonald's. I drove them by White Rock Lake the last time they were here, but both were passed out that time. So, today they thought they'd never been there before.

After White Rock Lake I drove west on Mockingbird to the 75 Freeway to head north over the Big 5 Exchange to I-635. I'd not been over it since it was finished. I liked it. Dallas has made it much more colorful than Fort Worth has with its Mixmaster.

Exited 635 at Monforth. That's where the McDonald's is. Neither Mom or Dad remembered being there before. I have photo evidence to the contrary. They did a shadowy pose in front of the Giant Happy Meal, before going in and having some wraps, cheeseburgers, fries and hot fudge sundaes.

After McDonald's I headed south on Preston, back towards Downtown Dallas. This goes through some areas of big houses. Mom likes seeing those. Drove up Turtle Creek. That's scenic. Headed to the Victory Park development to show them the American Airlines Center and all the other stuff there.

Then it was on to I-35 E, to head north and get off at I-183, to drive by the soon to be defunct Texas Stadium, then on to Los Colinas in Irving. Around then I was informed a restroom break was needed. So, I headed back east on Northwest Highway to a Sam's Club. Some shopping for leftover Christmas bargains ensued.

Then it was back on the road, heading west on I-121, towards Grapevine. My eventual destination was Babes in Roanoke. I went via Flower Mound. I knew my Mom would find suddenly being out in the country to be interesting. We got to Babes. It didn't open for a half hour. So, I drove them by Cabelas and some other stuff and then back to Babes.

Babes Chicken Dinner House is always good. We got 2 orders of chicken and 2 orders of chicken-fried steak. This comes with salad, creamed corn, biscuits and mashed spuds and gravy. It's served family style with the chicken and chicken fried steaks on one big platter. And the other stuff in its own bowls. You can ask for more of all the fixin's, except for the meat products. I ate a lot of biscuits.

We had the usual incident with the Baby Rattler at Babes and all the waitresses did a long line dance routine. It was cute and amusing. Mom and Dad seemed to like it.

After Babes it was a long drive south on 377 to I-820, then a quick jaunt back to their temporary abode, then me back to mine.

Tomorrow I'm going to be at their place about 9 to escort them out of the Metroplex, stopping at the Old South Pancake House on the way. I'll take one more picture of them in their cowboy hats and then see them sail off into the west.

Phoenix, they are heading your way in the morning. They are taking the scenic route, not the Interstate method they used to get here earlier than expected.