Didn't get around to updating last night, since, well, it was just one of 'dem days. Started out nice enough at the Old Arkansas Capital, but once we got to Texas...oy. First, we hit some traffic at the state line (bad omen), then we barely got to the Ballpark at Arlington by gametime since I had to juke and jive around a bunch of mean downtown Dallas traffic jams. Once there we hustled to our seats in the upper deck - with a great view of the park. Nice place...but the scoreboard is really small compared to the size of the field. I'm sure they'll fix this soon. Besides that LOTS for the kids to do, and the ticket prices were very decent. Great experience.
....EXCEPT for the fact that my NEW glasses broke at the start of the game. I was able to wear them, but they were askew and giving me fits all game long. I did enjoy the game, but the thought of now having to run to Lenscrafters in the morning really boiled my lid. Sam enjoyed the game from the outfield playground areas, where we met some natives and hit it off (of course). Oh yeah, my phone was also giving me fits by not linking online for the longest time...and also that I didn't plug my phone in and the battery went south. BIG fun when we got back and I tried to fix it with a kit from Walmart that of course didn't work...and I went ahead and lost the screw to the other arm...YIPPIE! Seriously...that was the SMALLEST screw I had ever seen!!!
Okay, enough of that...we got to our hotel (which took longer than it should have) and settled down. Sam was hungry though so we headed for Waffle House where we had midnight breakfast (wait for it...).
When we woke up today, the first thing out of Sam's mouth was "I have an incredible stomach ache". He really did...and promptly threw up to prove it. Well this was starting out all ducky, and of all mornings the day I was to visit downtown Dallas and the "hallowed ground" at Dealey Plaza...where JFK was killed for you history novices. Anyhoo...we left for the mall to get into Lenscrafters where after some discussion a very nice saleswoman named Porcia switched my busted pair with a brand new one! Also...Sam was beginning to feel better - no small thanks to the ton of Maalox he swallowed plus an Imodium for good measure (yep...THAT too!).
Welllllll, of to Dallas finally. As we approached I could see glimses of the plaza, and my blood level was rising. You see, I'm a BIG JFK assassination buff. I've read about every known theory, which has brought me right back to the original findings that Oswald acted alone. He did. Anyhoo, I really was looking forward to this. Sam was groaning, but dealing with it. When we got to the Sixth Floor Museum in the old Texas Schoolbook Depository Building, we were greeted with headphones and guided on a great tour of the presidency, assassination and legacy of JFK. It was a very moving exhibit and well-worth the time to visit. Then the moment arrived to actually tour the hallowed ground at Dealey itself. After spending so many years reading and researching about this place, in all honesty, I felt like I've been there all along. I mean it was great to finally be there...but nothing really surprised me - either spacially or whatever. It's simply what I expected. This also included a slew of tourists milling around - many dodging in-and-out of traffic on Elm Street to get a picture next to the X where Kennedy got hit in the head. I found this to be quite surreal, and maybe a bit disrespectful if not dangerous. Maybe it's high-time just to shut down this road as a permanent pedestrian mall...but judging by the traffic...that wouldn't be easy. Anyhow, we made our way around, and then back to the car for our drive to Oklahoma City.
The drive to OKC was uneventful, save for a long traffic jam leaving Dallas (OY!). Once in Oklahoma things got better and we arrived at the Brickhouse Stadium in downtown OKC...home of the Redhawks. BEAUTIFUL new stadium, and we enjoyed the game as usual...with Sam making friends in the outfield...as usual. Day 6 in the books...and the bad karma of Texas WELL behind us!
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