Today Dishing: Dallas in Two Days, Y'All

Can you make a dent in discovering a city in two days time? This was the challenge taken up by my friend Marianne and me. Destination: Dallas, Texas. Time Allowed: 80 hours.

Twenty-nine hours of our allotted time included the road trip to Dallas, which got us to Norman Oklahoma the first day.  We lucked out by finding a Charleston's Restaurant in Norman steps away from our hotel. A warm cozy dining room, a knowledgeable server and two delicious meals helped us relax and ready ourselves for the next day.

Just three hours out of Dallas, we made it into town mid-morning. Early check-in posed no problem at the Adolphus. The Adolphus, built in 1921, oozes charm and southwestern hospitality. The staff could not have been more helpful and attentive. More on that later.

Our ambitious itinerary, planned by Marianne, required us to check-in, drop our bags and get busy.

First Stop: Dealey Plaza
We walked the planned motorcade route for November 22, 1963, then stopped to check out the changed route. The JFK Memorial sits on the edge of Dealey Plaza. We had totally different reactions to it. Marianne liked it,  whereas it left me cold.

                                   
                                     
  The memorial build in 1970, is designed as an open tomb and symbolizes the freedom of Kennedy's spirit.

This plaque rests adjacent to Elm Street.

 On Elm Street, just outside the former book depository, a white" X"marks the spot where Kennedy was hit by the first shot.  A second white "X" maybe 50 feet farther down Elm marks the spot where the fatal shot hit The President. It has been fifty years since the events of that day and yet I surprised myself by  my emotional reaction to seeing these "X"s. Everything I've ever seen, read or felt about this place poured over me as I stood transfixed gazing at the spot where history was made. The "grassy knoll", the overpass, and the six floor red brick building remain exactly as they were that November day.

The "grassy knoll"

The second of the two white "X"'s

                

 The Sixth Floor Museum presents the window view of Elm Street, films, television footage, single frames of the Zapruder video, Lee Harvey Oswald's cufflinks and much, much more. I believe no one could walk away from all this information without formulating a definitive opinion about much of what occurred  November 22, 1963. This is a must see on any trip to Dallas.
Admission:$16

While still immersed in the assassination story, we ventured to Oakcliff just outside Dallas to see the Texas Theatre where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested. Unable to get inside we settled for pictures of the facade which was refurbished by Oliver Stone for his 1990 film JFK.


While in Oakcliff, we investigated The Bishop Arts District which turned out to be quite the find. This two block area of artisan shops and restaurants offers a diverse selection of food. On that day we sampled St. Simon's oysters at Boulevardier, a French Bistro and dined on truffle oil popcorn and lobster tamales while watching old movie projected on the wall at Tillman's Roadhouse.
                                                                     
A separate blog on the Bishop Arts District will follow at a later date.

Day One ended with a glass of wine in the opulent lobby of the Adolphus. A good day!

Tomorrow: Day Two in Dallas