Tag Archives: History

Texas Tuesday: Fort Worth Stockyards

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This week I’m co-hosting the Texas Tuesday link up with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle and Crystal from Masons Mama. This is a chance for any blogger to participate in a post on the greatness of Texas! There’s so much to explore!

This week I’m going to talk about a great event that goes on everyday in Fort Worth. It is a true taste of the wild west, the Fort Worth Stockyards and a must see for anyone visiting the area. The Fort Worth Stockyards bring the old town wild west into modern day Fort Worth. It’s one of my favorite places in this area!

Twice a day, the cattle is driven down the street by cowboys, just as they were years ago. It’s a sight to see! Coming from someone who completely loves these animals, it’s even better!

Once the cattle drive is complete, head on over around the corner for a live shootout! That’s right! I said shootout! Be sure to stand close and pay attention so you can take part and see all the action of the gun show!

The shootout brings together those of all ages, the kids and adults enjoy it all the same! The actors do a great job incorporating humor into the show and seriously, how can you not like their outfits!

If you are in the area or if you’ve lived here your entire life, head on over to check this out. The best part is that it’s free so if you have a family, this is a great , affordable outing for an hour or two. Enjoy the great spring weather with a little bit of free, Western entertainment!

Be sure to link your Texas Tuesday posts below!

What the Hockey?!

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Hockey. It’s one of my FAVORITE sports ever. Ok – it’s my favorite sport period. There’s nothing like it. The chill of the arena, the sound of the puck hitting the boards and sticks, the tension in the atmosphere when things are getting heated on the ice! Anyone who knows me knows that the fights are my favorite part. Just something about once the puck hits the ice and two players just give each other the stare down and off comes the gloves! LOVE IT!

So last week, my company offered everyone free tickets to the Dallas Stars vs. Vancouver Canucks game. There was no way that I was going to let this pass up and it’s a good thing I didn’t. Our seats were 12 rows up from the ice!

(Below) Jaromir Jagr.  I think he floats on the ice. That probably doesn’t sound very manly. Well, he’s absolute perfection out there. As he should be, he’s had one heck of a career. I remember watching him as a kid and now I get the pleasure of having him play just down the highway! He alone is a reason to go to the Stars games. The Stars have a great line-up this year. How awesome it is to look back 20 years from now and say that you had the pleasure of watching some of these hockey legends play. Come on folks – get out there!

All teams do some fun things during the intermissions but my ultimate favorite is watching the kids get out there and shoot some goals. It’s pretty special! Imagine how excited you would be if you could shoot on during a professional game?! (Plus, they looks super cute in their hockey equipment!)
Also during intermission. Those zamboni’s. If there’s anyway that I can ride/drive the Zamboni during one of these games = dream come true! They look like a lot of fun. I wonder how you get that job anyway?!

Hey! There’s Marty Turco (below)! Stars legendary goalie!

The Stars lost the game 4-3. It was a close one! Go get ’em next time boys!
If you are interested in going to a regular hockey game, the ticket prices are reasonable and I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. I’ve sat on the upper level against the wall – still good! Get out there and support your local teams!

“Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning. ”

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― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Saturday morning, I woke up earlier than I would’ve liked to go get my oil changed. For some reason I brought my camera. Who brings a camera to get their oil changed?! Maybe it was a premonition. The plan was to go out to west Fort Worth, get my oil changed then come home and finish unpacking my new apartment and work on my horrendous, unending to-do list. If you know me, you will not be surprised that I ended up finding some back country roads and taking a lot of pictures. Surprise, surprise.

A couple years ago, I was given a book with weird, roadside stops in Texas. I keep it in my car because I don’t really plan things out (read above) and just end up going places. So while waiting for my oil change, I looked up what was nearby.

Stop #1 involved Peter Pan. I was in!
Peter Pan is one of my favorite cartoons / stories growing up. (Have you watched Finding Neverland? One of my favorites!) I find it pretty important to always be a kid at heart (hence you will see me busting out a move at inopportune moments to try to get people to relax – I don’t care if I look like an ass, it’s a good time)!

I had known about this little pit stop for a while but I’m glad I finally got to check it out!

If you ever find yourself near Weatherford, Texas, head on over to the library. It’s right off the highway and really easy to find. Outside, you will find the Peter Pan statue. The story of Peter Pan has nothing to do with Weatherford, however the actress that played Peter Pan did.
Mary Martin played Peter Pan in the Broadway production of Peter Pan until she was in her 50’s. She also earned a Tony Award for her role and was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989. The story goes, as a child she was obsessed with Buster Brown and she had her haircut in a short “pageboy bob” and refused to ever wear a bow. Funny how she ended up playing Peter Pan! If you want to realize how small the world really is, she is also Larry Hagman’s (from the TV show Dallas) mother.
In 1976, Ronald Thomason created this life-sized bronze statue of Martin in the signature Peter Pan pose. The status can be seen at the library along with some memorabilia inside (I wish I would’ve read that in the book before I left the library). In 1990, Mary Martin passed away and is now buried in Weatherford as well.

If you’re a fan of Peter Pan, swing on by. It just takes a minute. While I was there, two kids came running out of the library and couldn’t wait to get a picture with Peter Pan. It was pretty cute. We can all be big kids too folks! 🙂

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Check back in on Wednesday to see what else I came across on my Saturday travels!