Category Archives: Scenery

A Day In The Life… Fort Worth

Life is not meant to be boring for this girl hailing from Vermont. I’ve decided to start this new series, “A Day In The Life” which will follow me for an entire day, wherever I happen to be. Some day’s I need a break but other’s amaze even myself when it comes to the moments that I come across.

Day In The Life - Ft. Worth 020814For the first installment, where better to start than one of my favorite places in Texas and the place that I call my “Texas home”, Fort Worth.

The first part of the day was spent running errands so I won’t get into that. Next came lunch. I’ve been looking for a new BBQ place to try and heard this was the place! (Funny thing was I drove by this location a year ago on a random drive.) Great BBQ, a dessert that will “blow your mind” (ask for the Pecan cake) and some Texas scenery, this is now my place – Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ. Sure the building gives the “are we sure about this” appearance but once inside you are surrounded by the greatness of what BBQ and Texas is all about.

Billy's Oak Acres BBQThis visit was different than what one would normally find. This was day one of setting up shop for a TV show that would be filmed all this week. I even was asked for an interview on my experience at the restaurant. Let me tell you – being in front of the camera is much different than being behind it. No preparation and being put on the spot – oy! [If you’re looking for a TV opp and some delicious BBQ – this is your place this week!]

Next up – I headed to the old part of Fort Worth – The Fort Worth Stockyards. Beware, this is a huge tourist spot. Don’t let all the “tourist” locations only suck you in, there’s so much more! If you happen to head this way, there’s so much more than what meets the eye, especially depending on what time you visit. For me, this visit was purely concentrated on photographing some of the old buildings but I found a few other gems along the way.

Day In The Life Ft Worth 020814(1)The sights in this area are incredible. Bring your camera, even if you are a local. The buildings and art work located on them are truly a gem but don’t let your eye bypass the other sights along the way.  A simple boot shine sign, yep – they’ve got it. Slip on into a small restaurant to listen to some local flavor, you can find it here too. Plus there’s always the fun of peeking into the boutiques or looking and dreaming about your next pair of boots! You can never have too many pairs!

A quick stop at home, followed by a short walk in a local park (the weather was actually decent enough for a walk so I took advantage) followed up by getting ready for a sold out show. Patty Griffin was playing at The Live Oak in Fort Worth. I’ve waited months for this show. This venue has turned into one of my favorites (except for how packed it was for this show). We ended up eating dinner here as well. The service happened to be a bit slow and a little packed. So packed, we shared a table with a couple in front of us who were on their first date. Oh, moments! Excellent musicians, plenty of microbrews on tap and a good crowd of people.

(For more video’s, check out my YouTube channel)

The show ended early, so why stop there? The Southside Fort Worth district is amazing. Every once in a while it’s good to venture from the downtown or West 7th Street areas. I found my way to Shipping and Receiving and upon a band that was right on the money. Wally West & Them Lostbound Souls. Reminded me a bit of Ryan Bingham. Great, small local band to come across.

Wally West and Them Lostbound SoulsLastly, I ended the night venturing to one more late night stop and a local food truck. Heck, if you can end your day with good breakfast food from a food truck – it was a pretty good day! Until next time Fort Worth!

Have you been to any of these places? What are your favorites in Fort Worth?

Masons Mama

Wide Open Spaces, Part II

As previously mentioned, a recent trip to Oklahoma left me in awe of the beauty of the country. Not that I didn’t already realize this but there’s something completely different in the South as opposed to the North. It leaves me in a peaceful state that the world can seem so busy and hectic but then find yourself in a completely tranquil and beautiful surrounding.

As I left The Pink Pistol, perused around town and left to go home, the sun was beginning to set. On my way back towards Texas, I was surrounded by rolling prairies and silhouettes. The best one was of a cowboy walking across a field at the top of a hill (compared to where the road was) and all I could see was the outline of him, his hat and the beautiful sky behind him. If only, I could’ve stopped and grabbed some of these moments. Here are a few that I was able to capture.

Notice the windmill in the middle of the trees. This may be my favorite photo. I wish you could’ve seen this sunset. Ah!

Oklahoma, sunset, silhouette, windmill, countryHitting the road…

Texas, Oklahoma, ranching, farming Texas, Oklahoma, ranching, farming Texas, Oklahoma, ranching, farmingThis was at a crossroads. After a while I forgot where the Texas / Oklahoma border was so I’m not exactly sure where this was except off Highway 377. In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields, lies this little ole truck stop.Truck Stop, Oklahoma, Texas, Highway 377Welcome to Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Home to Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. This town seems so peaceful. I love these small towns! Old style Main Streets, art work on painted brick. Character – something that’s lost in the big cities. Tishomingo, Oklahoma, buildings, paintingTishomingo, Oklahoma, downtown, sunsetAfter I finished shopping at the Pink Pistol, I took some time to drive around and check out the “sights”. Mostly because I absolutely love these little towns and all the hidden gems in them. A few sights I found along the way… Texas, Oklahoma, ranching, farming, barns Ten Point Ranch, Ranch, Oklahoma Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma, SunsetI mean – look at that view. Talk about wanting to park your car and take a break from the world. Too bad I had a drive home ahead of me.

Hope you enjoyed these! Have you gone on a drive recently? I’d love to see or hear a glimpse on something you’ve seen!

Today I’m linking up with Communal GlobalThe Jenny EvolutionPhotography Essentials and Create With Joy for {Wordless Wednesday}.

Wide Open Spaces, Part I

Recently, I went on a day trip across North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. Sometimes, what we really need is a drive to appreciate the things that surround us everyday yet we may not notice. It’s the things that this country was founded upon, the earth that so many have worked on to help make this place the place that it is. Although, I live in what I call “the big city” now, it’s so refreshing to venture out into the wide open spaces and just take a breath of fresh air. It’s what those Dixie Chicks sang about not so long ago… Here’s a little glimpse (at Part I)…

Wide Open Spaces I 061Wide Open Spaces I 059Call me crazy but I had to pull over to grab some of the following shots and I’m really glad I did. When I took the lower photo, the chains or hoses (?) were ever so slightly making noise in the light breeze.Wide Open Spaces I 058 Wide Open Spaces I 057Peanuts anyone?

Wide Open Spaces I 074Wide Open Spaces I 070I wish I could’ve pulled over to grab a better photo of these horses. This isn’t even a portion of them. Hundreds and hundreds of horses. It was amazing!

Wide Open Spaces I 060A littler earlier, in Texas off highway 377… if you look closely that sign most definitely says “Booze”. Just makes you want to pull right in, doesn’t it?!

Wide Open Spaces I 025 (2) And a little later, still off highway 377 this place was asking you to pull right in… even though I’m still not exactly sure what it was…Wide Open Spaces I 049 (2)And somewhere in between…

Wide Open Spaces I 013By the way – can someone please explain to me what’s up with these trees? Bottom halves of trees in river. This is probably a “she’s definitely from the North” comment but help me out!

Wide Open Spaces I 050 (2) Come back next week for a few more pictures from the trip including the town of Tishomingo and Oklahoma sunsets. These may be some of the best I’ve seen!

Today I’m linking up with Communal Global, The Jenny EvolutionPhotography Essentials for {Wordless Wednesday}.