Highlights from the drive between Houston and Phoenix

That's 130 km/h for all our international readers...fast for the US!

But no advice on what to do in that case. . .

This was has always struck us as a bit odd. . .like they may not exist after 10 miles?

Giraffe Drool at Fossil Rim

Peek-a-Boo

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is 1800 acres of animals animals animals (over 1000 representing 50 or so species). Although we love animals, most of you know neither of us likes zoos much. The drive-thru style can be almost as sad as the cages, but Fossil Rim has lots of space for addax, bongo and the scimitar-horned oryx to roam along with more familiar species such as deer and elk, zebra and giraffe. The animals are plentiful and seemingly happy. We didn't opt to get a bag of feed, but the animals didn't know that, so they approached the truck to check us out. One of the giraffes was so excited he drooled all over the driver's side arm-rest and Donny's shorts.

According to their website, here's the mission: "Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is dedicated to conservation of species in peril, scientific research, training of professionals, creative management of natural resources, and impactful public education." They are involved in the Red Wolf Recovery Program, have internships and educational programs for teachers, kids, and home-schoolers.

Apparently, the current director has brought the park back from near bankruptcy with some shrewd business decisions, but since this place is pretty far off the beaten path, they could probably benefit from some more patrons (not too many though...it was really nice not to be rushed through). Click here for photos.

Dinosaur Valley

Located just outside Glen Rose, TX, this state park reportedly has some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The tracks (from the Cretaceous period) can be seen mostly on the rock ledge in the bed of the Paluxy River. It's been raining for a few days, so the water was high and a bit murky, but even so the clawed theropod tracks and big, round sauropod (brontosaurus) tracks were pretty amazing.
Maybe because it was so misty and deserted it was easy to imagine dinosaurs lumbering around when these were the shores of an inland sea. There are also some nature trails in the area, and you can camp and birdwatch. Click for pics of the tracks and the river.

Granbury

We spent our few days off (making up for working weekend) in Granbury and the surrounding area. Granbury is a town of about 7,600. It was settled in the mid-1800s, and many of the buildings in the historic town square look much the same as they did when the town was up and coming. There's some active recreation on Lake Granbury, including a riverboat, but since it's October, there wasn't much happening on the lake. Downtown Granbury was nice for a walk. Most of the stores around the square are full of antiques or western novelty items and souvenirs. The Courthouse Tower is tall and imposing. The Old Jailhouse has a museum, and Granbury Cemetery is the final resting place of Jesse James. We also had a delicious lunch at the Nutshell Bakery and Cafe. Donny's grilled cheese was served with Granny Smith slices in the sandwich! Mmmmm.

Cowtown

Fort Worth got the name "Cowtown" for the millions of head of cattle that passed through as they were herded north (over 4 million between 1866 and 1890). It was the last major stop for rest and supplies on the Chisholm trail to Kansas and the rails there. After the railroad arrived in Ft. Worth, it became a major shipping point itself, leading to the construction of The Ft. Worth Stockyards in 1877.

There are a number of interesting historical buildings in town, as well as restaurants, shopping and all the standard trappings of "old town" anywhere, but with a western twist. Cowtown Coliseum's 100th Anniversary was today, so we got to hear the mayor say a few words before the daily cattle drive down the main street. Later, we went to a rodeo at the coliseum. Here are all its firsts:

1908 - First Exhibition Round-up of Cattle ever held under a roof in the United States.

1908 - First Night Horse Show in the United States

1918 - World's First Indoor Rodeo

1923 - World's First Live Radio Broadcast of a Rodeo

1934 - Bull Riding Introduced to the world of Rodeo

The sculpture above shows Bill Pickett, the first black cowboy to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was a top act at the coliseum. He was the first to introduce bulldogging to the masses. His trademark move was biting the lip of the steer to bring it under control (a move he picked up from the clever ranch dogs). Click here for pics.