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Sometimes when we have some free time, we drive around neighborhoods. We check out the houses, “I like this one…”, “A porch swing would look great on that one…”, “Oh my! They need to take care of their yard!” You know how it is. We all do it!

Well here we were driving around a neighborhood that we’ve driven by probably dozens of time but went on in and looked around. Inside, we found something neither of us had ever seen before.

This little treasure was found in Arlington, Texas. Sitting in this huge (for Texas neighborhood standards) three acre lot, on a moat of all things sits the foundation to what use to be a house. I couldn’t believe it. Normally, I wouldn’t just walk onto someone’s property but there wasn’t a real house on the lot and well – it was too intersting to pass up.

To get to, well we’ll call it the Arlington Castle, you need to cross a bridge. A bridge made out of loose plywood that wobbles when you cross it. It was beginning to get pretty dark. The bull frogs were out and the closer I got, the more you could hear their big bodies jump back into the water.

Once across, a small path leads you to what’s left of the castle.

Inside, you can see there use to be tile on the floor.

The fireplace nearly takes up one entire wall which tells you how small this space was.

On the other side of the building, is a small cement porch area that you could sit and relax while overlooking the water that surrounds the building.

(Note: you can see the little bridge in the background where Sy is standing.)

So what is this building? I tried looking online and found nothing except it’s owned privately. Does anyone know? I’d be interested to hear I find it to be so unique. Just sitting there on three acres, on a moat in the middle of Arlington.

4 Years Ago Today

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Although most people are out celebrating St. Patricks Day, today has another meaning to me. Four years ago today, I arrived in Texas and low and behold, I am still here.

It’s crazy to think how fast times passes by sometimes and everything that happens within a four year span. Back in Vermont, I quit a job that I hated without a job lined up in Texas, left probably the best roommate I could’ve ever asked for, packed up my belongings and what I could fit into my car, I did and took off for a state that is so much bigger than Vermont by size and population.

On the way down, I took advantage of the opportunity of moving 2,000 miles from the place I grew up. I stopped in Philly to visit a close friend from college and her now husband for a couple days and went into NYC for one. Then it was a stop in Kentucky in which we drove thru some of the most beautiful farmland I’ve ever seen (which rolled into TN). Final leg of the trip was to Texas but I wasn’t about to drive from Kentucky to Texas without a pit stop – we were going to Graceland!

I remember the night we drove into Texas. From Texarkana to Dallas-Ft. Worth, it was stormy and we kept getting calls to keep an eye on the weather. We later found out that there were tornado’s roaring thru East Texas. This didn’t help my infatuation with them.

Well, I made it to Texas. I found a job within a month after I moved which I still have. I’ve had opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had back home including starting up this blog. Although, I do miss my family and friend’s back home (there’s never enough vacation time is there), if I didn’t move it would’ve only eaten at me so it was bound to happen at one point or another. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people and have had some great experiences.

So in honor of the anniversary of Texas being blessed with my presence, yes – I said it – it’s only fitting that this week I try to give a recap of my travels from Vermont to Texas. So stay tuned.

And Texas – you are welcome!

Happy St. Patricks Day Ya’ll!

Down Home Traveler

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fort Walton Beach

Arlington’s Castle on a Moat

4 Years Ago Today