On The Road:
Big D or Bust!
I found my honey’s Christmas present in July of 2010…tickets (on the floor, no less…score!) to Lady Gaga in Dallas on March 14. It’s a damn good thing I rock at keeping secrets. In case it isn’t glaringly obvious, this is precisely where I was a couple of weeks ago. We were rockin’ and rollin’ in Dallas, dancing our butts off at the Lady Gaga show and soaking up all my beloved Texas had to offer.
I can’t even begin to tell you how it elates me to see the “Welcome to Texas” sign. Every time I cross that state line I feel this sense of relief and joy…I feel like I’m home. (Can you tell I miss living there? Maybe just a smidge, eh?) I think it’s beginning to grow on The Honey as well. Several times during our visit he asked: “Would you ever be interested in moving back here?” I’m pretty sure he’s hooked on the lone star state…as well he should be. But I digress…
The Magnolia Hotel
We arrived in Dallas shortly after 1 and checked into the fabulous Magnolia Hotel. There were several musicians in the lobby debating what type of pizza to get (“…but I like sun-dried tomatoes…”) and the dulcet tones of Siouxsie Sioux singing “Peepshow” came softly through the speakers. The Magnolia was my kind of place. The staff could not have been nicer, our room was spotless, and our view was amazing. They also offered complimentary drinks every night as well as a bedtime cookie bar! Nothing like some milk and cookies before turning in. (Note: I booked our room through Expedia and learned something interesting. I called them instead of booking online and was able to finagle a lower rate than what was offered on the website. Those ten minutes on the phone saved us a little cash. Who knew?)
Spending Time with History
After we checked in, we went to our room, freshened up (am I the only one who feels extra grimy after a road trip?) and took a walk to Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. The Sixth Floor Museum is located, aptly enough, on the sixth floor of the infamous book depository where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shot that killed JFK. I don’t think either of us were prepared for just how moving the experience was to be. I think it was the footage of the funeral that had the most impact on us. The grace Jackie demonstrated was both awe-inspiring and heart breaking. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been to remain so composed, the entire world watching as she buried her husband. You would have to be inhuman to not be moved by the scene.
After a quick stroll around the grassy knoll and a short discussion of various conspiracy theories surrounding JFK’s assassination (did you know 8 out of 10 Americans believe there was a conspiracy? Yes, I am one of them. Not really surprised are you?) we headed back to our hotel to partake in some complimentary beer. We enjoyed an interesting conversation with another hotel guest with topics ranging from rude dog walkers and Dan Rather to St. Francisville, Louisiana and the Church of England. After a few pints we headed up to our room for some room service, relaxation and bed jumping (I couldn’t resist even though my mother taught me better…)!
Since Honey was fighting a butt-kicking cold (one which I was lucky enough to catch on the drive home. Thank you immune system for staving it off until AFTER our trip! I owe you one.) we decided to snuggle up, enjoy our amazing view and watch HGTV until we fell asleep. And sleep we did.
But what about Lady Gaga? You’ll get to hear all about “Going Goo-goo for Gaga” on Monday, so make sure you check back in…there might even be a few videos. We shall see come Monday.
Kisses & Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick
