Road Trip
Howdy Folks!
Packing for a trip is always a quandry for me, so I had a hard time deciding what to bring. Like serviceable nun’s shoes, my black suitcase is not the least bit stylish, really a little too big for just a three day road trip. I knew my granddaughter would already have her rose tinted, metallic carry on bag neatly arranged and an additional case for her dazzling array of beauty essentials.
Chuck rolled his eyes, wondering how I could possibly need two pair of sandals, a pair of boots, three jeans, a western skirt, a sweater, a sparkly belt and turquoise earrings when he could fit all the necessaries in a saddlebag.
Not to worry, he would be holding down the fort back home.
My savvy, travelling daughter and our twelve going- on -twenty five year old sidekick offered to drive me to Dallas for a medical test. Best of all, we’d planned a little extra time for pampering at a Michelin Five Star Boutique Hotel.
The Hotel Drover is a Texas cattleman’s dream, on the cobblestone streets of the Ft. Worth Stockyards, featuring twice daily longhorn drives. Naturally, since it’s right across from the famed Ft Worth Championship Rodeo.
Decked out in the finest Yellowstone decor, tufted leather couches mix it up with Pendleton saddle blanket covered armchairs, and bordello blue, velvet fringed settees. Soaring high above was a tiered antler chandelier, setting off the two story library filled with books on Texas history.
The Ft Worth Stockyards were the last civilized outpost for cowboys before heading into Indian territory, driving cattle to market along the Chisholm Trail.
After the War between the States, Texas was left devastated by reconstruction. However, iconic American ingenuity lived on. Some enterprising souls found a need and filled it. At that time, native longhorns ranged free from Mexico into Texas. They sold for $4 a head.
But up North, demand was high and cattle sold for ten times more. Prior to railways, there seemed no way to bring these rangy beasts to market. Out of that hardship, a daring Trailboss hatched a plan to forge through the perils of countless rugged miles and the cattle drive was born. The Longhorns became Texas gold.
Fortunes were built.
It’s much more polite and clean now, but still the spirit of the Wild West lingers on.
We enjoyed mahi-mahi tacos under the stars by the pool, in a white cabana with stains of country western music drifting on the night air. Nearby, guests surrounding the crackling fire pits were served s’mores by waiters outfitted in boots and hats.
The next morning we lounged about, eating our late breakfast, outdoors, in a sea of manicured green grass. Our omelettes were dished up in cast iron skillets with fresh colorful berries, the musical splash of a massive fountain nearby.
When in Beverly Hills the devil wears Prada, here in Cowtown “The Landman” wears custom boots by Luchese. Adjacent to the gritty high stakes excitement of bull riding, bronc roping, barrel racing and team roping, are the flagship brand shops of King Ranch, Pendleton and Double D Western Wear.
Although we came home with fond memories of our short time in the lap of luxury, by the time we battled traffic out of the mega metroplex of Dallas – Fort Worth, I have to agree with famed Cowboy poet Red Steagall, in his poem.
“Somewhere West of Wall Street”
I’m not at home on crowded streets, they don’t appeal to me, in the heart of God‘s Cathedral is where I want be.
So I take the outside circle when the stars are growing dim, see the morning light play shadows all along the canyon rim.
I feel the prairie wakin, flush a dozen bobwhite quail, as I guide my favorite cow horse down a rough and rocky trail ,
I ride through mountain country, gaze across the great divide as I trail majestic Mustang, that no man will ever ride.
A Red Tail Hawk is screaming, as he searches for his prey, the cottonwoods are yellow on this crisp November day,
I crave the open space where the sky is blue and wide, somewhere west of Wall Street is where my heart and soul reside.
“Bordello blue”!
It is with great humor that I read your trials and tribulations of traveling to Fort Worth. Now you know Pat, but you have no knowledge of the effort it takes for this household to make any trip. I have been guilty of stating many times that I have moved a large detachment of men to various distant destinations with less effort than that required to load up Patricia with all her necessities for a overnight stay. This entails various shoe bags, hanging garment bags, suitcases, dog bowls, dog food and last but not lest her current canine babies. Now you know why we own a pickup truck with a covered bed. Wow.
As to Fort Worth; Ah in my youth (so many years ago) we would ship cattle to Fort Worth to be left in the good hands of the Cassity Commission Co. for sale. Then it was off to the Stockyards Hotel to clean up, which was at that time not so pricey as today. Then down around the corner to the Cattlemans Steak House for nourishment. Now situated on the corner of N Main and Exchange in this Cowtown complex was M.L. Leddy's western Store which was always good for needed necessities and conversation with old acquaintances like Jim Franklin. Jim and dad were always swapping horses.
As you travel, please always know that our love and prayers always go with you.