Dallas

Although the names are usually used together, and the weathermen give the forecast for DFW, the two cities are some 30 miles apart in distance, and even farther apart in culture and history.  Fort Worth, or Cowtown, has its roots in cattle trade, and is laid back and retains its cowboy heritage.  Dallas, the Big D, has an economy based on banking, commerce, and the like, with the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation.  It is a  bustling hub, with even more roads flying over and around, and 5 and 6 lanes of traffic creeping along at rush hours.  The shiny  high rise buildings were quite impressive.  

Although the JFK memorial plaza and 6th Floor Museum are in the city, Clem was not sure he wanted to relive it again, and being a bit tired,  I didn’t push the issue. There is always the next time!  

So we skipped the downtown, and headed instead for the campus of Southern Methodist University, and the new George W Bush Center and Library.  This is the 13th presidential library, and the 4th for us to visit.   We really lucked out, as the library reopened on Friday, the day we had chosen to visit, after the government shutdown.  We had not even considered the possibility that it might be closed!  

The exterior is simple, nothing like the soaring glass of the Clinton building, but inside, in the foyer, is a most impressive display that runs 360 degrees along the upper walls near the ceiling at regular intervals, showing beautiful landscapes of the US,  then morphing into people in various work and athletic pursuits, as they cross each other in motion.  

Another morph brings faces popping up and across, and then turning into the presidents’ faces.  All accompanied by music, everyone looking up, following around, and gapeing in wonder as things happen all around them.  Really well done, very impressive, quite an introduction!  

Friendly greeters usher us into the next room, where the story of 9/11 is presented, and we are soon face to face with the beams from the World Trade Center.  At first intent on getting a photo, when one of the ushers tells me I can touch it if I like, I was suddenly overtaken with emotion at the sight, as I find I am again now writing this.  

As in the other libraries, displays inform about accomplishments in office, the first lady’s role, the family, the campaigns, and other relevant events.  The gifts they received from heads of state are on display, as are some clothing worn at state dinners, and perhaps the china and menu.  

                    

There were some interactive activities for kids surrounding the first dogs, as well as some for adults, which proved very interesting and informative.   You can sit at the desk in the oval office and have your photo taken, but we passed on that opportunity!   

On the way back we stopped for a mexican dinner, with another big margarita, figuring it was  our last chance, since we leave Texas tomorrow.