Dallas: City Tour…

LlBeware - heavy detail ahead. Just look at the photos if not into tourist waffle & history.   

So I did a Dallas city tour yesterday. Taking in what I’d been told were the highlights of downtown. It was nice. Not amazing. But nice.   

The 8 places I visited: Pioneer Plaza / Cattle Drive, Reunion Tower, Old Red Courthouse, John F. Kennedy Memorial, Dealey Plaza / Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas World Aquarium, Perot Museum of Nature and Science Museum, and Klyde Warren Park  

Dallas, Texas, or simply the "Big D," is allegedly America's maverick city. It is certainly bigger, brasher, and glitzier than many other US destinations and is not shy about it.  

Situated in the northeastern part of the Lone Star State, Dallas's story began in 1841.  The city's name is believed to honour George Miffin Dallas, the US Vice President who served under James Knox Polk, the 11th president of the United States.  With the construction of railroads, Dallas evolved into a prominent commercial hub, experiencing substantial growth by the close of the 19th century. This transformation saw Dallas become an industrial city, attracting workers from Texas, the South, and the Midwest. In a mere 100 years, what used to be a small group of primitive cabins on a muddy riverbank became a huge, sprawling metroplex of skyscrapers and modern offices that rise out of the prairie like a mirage, visible for miles.  

JR Ewing was the epitome of the brash Dallas businessmen who ruled the city.   

So, to my tour…  

One of the most iconic features of Dallas is the Pioneer Plaza and its mesmerising Cattle Drive sculpture showcasing life-sized bronze statues of cattle and cowboys, providing a sense of the Old West that once defined this region. It was pretty cool.   

Nearby, the skyline of Dallas is punctuated by the distinctive Reunion Tower, an iconic landmark that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Apparently. I was too scared to go up.   

Not far from that towering structure stands the Old Red Courthouse, a historic red sandstone building that now houses a museum. It looks like. Ghostbusters set.   

Dallas is also known for its connection to one of the most tragic events in American history, the assassination of President Kennedy.   

The John F Kennedy Memorial and Dealey Plaza, where the fateful event occurred, serve as solemn reminders of this momentous event.  

The Grassy Knoll was spookily like the RVT one.    

The Sixth Floor Museum, housed in the former Texas School Book Depository, offers a detailed and poignant exploration of the assassination and its aftermath. Selfies by the spot the shot was fired anyone?  

In a more scientific vein, I walked passed the Dallas World Aquarium and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science which are meant to be good but I’d didn’t have time to visit them.  

Finally I visited the Klyde Warren Park which offers a sprawling urban oasis in the heart of the city.  

So, as I say, Dallas is a nice place. But to be honest. A bit dull.

Brighton 0 - 3 Arsenal…

Here in Dallas it was great to watch the game with our new friends @DallasGooners @DGoonerSociety at @TheLondonerPubs 

Rene and his crew were very welcoming. Very generous. And we had a right old laugh. See you again soon guys!  😂🤠🇺🇸🔴⚪️

The game was fun too. Arsenal’s run of form continues as we took the Seagulls to task down on the south coast.  

A nice penalty from Saka and great goals by  Havertz and Trossard pushed us back up the top of the table.

The Gunners have now won 10 of their past 11 league games, taking 31 points out of a possible 33 in 2024, with an aggregate score of 38-4.  

It certainly makes the run to the end of the season exciting and we’re definitely in the mix for taking the title. 

Onward and upward my friends.   

@Arsenal 

#COYG 

#BHAARS

Dallas: Arrival…

A fun flight over. One too many onboard probably. But we are Brits. Queue-jumped immigration on arrival. But we are Brits. Cab to Downtown. Nice driver. Ok hotel. Warm night so went for walk. Seems very friendly. Tex Mex. Massive portions. Then crashed. 🇺🇸🤠 

🇬🇧->🇺🇸🤠 Texas here we come.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Luton…

A lovely meet-up before kickoff last night with the @gaygooners

Luton didn’t cause as too much trouble in the end. But they didn’t make it easy either. Sure, their side was somewhat decimated by injuries, but what team they did have ran around the Emirates Stadium with no small amount of pep.   

Thankfully Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for us in the 24th minute with a belter before Daiki Hashioka inadvertently knocked a second in the back of his own net. Ha!

Maybe not the most inspirational of games, but we’re back at the top of the pile for the time being anyway.  

Onward and upward my friends.   

@Arsenal 

#COYG 

#ARSLUT

Manchester City 0 - 0 Arsenal…

Liverpool were happy last night. Two points dropped by both of their main rivals is probably the way they look at it.

But I see it slightly differently. We went to the Etihad with a game plan and executed it perfectly.

We shut down one of the best teams in the world, we crowded them out, we stopped them playing their game. Job done. 

Sure it wasn’t a thrilling game to watch, there weren’t many shots on goal at either end, but I think the day was a success  

Public transport being what it was meant to a lot of the GGs were making our way to Manchester by different modes.  I was on an Arsenal coach with a bunch of others - five hours there, five hours back. It was good fun though. We met up with others at a motorway service station. So we all had a chance to catch up.

And talk team tactics. 

Does the team have it in them to win the League with season? Let’s see. 

The boys need to pull their socks up for Luton on Wednesday. 

Onward and upward my friends. 

@Arsenal

#COYG

#MCIARS