Checking in from Grand Prairie …
On Saturday, May 26, I walked only in the morning from Garland into the Park Cities (University Park and Highland Park) section of Dallas ending just south of the beautiful Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus. The plan over the Memorial Day weekend is to get a little rest by walking only in the mornings about 12 miles each day and enjoying Dallas in the afternoons. We certainly did that on Saturday. Immediately after my walk, we stopped by the home of Tim McMurray to pickup our forwarded mail for the first time in about three months. Tim is the head of the Mustang Club at SMU and a friend of our son Matt. 
We were glad to meet Tim and thank him for being our mail drop in Dallas. Next, we visited friends Peter Cooney and Sheila Pedersen at their home in north Dallas. I have had a friendship with Peter for several years, but it was the first time for me to meet Sheila and for Brenda to meet both of them. We really enjoyed getting everyone acquainted, and our hosts were very gracious and accommodating. It was also a fun day for Zuzu. She got to play briefly with Tim’s dog Bailey and longer with Peter and Sheila’s dog Gracie. After being cooped up in the RV or the car, Zuzu was in her element, playing and cavorting with her new friends.
Peter and Sheila took us to a favorite stop, Jake’s, for a late lunch. Naturally, the guys partook of the specialty hamburgers while the ladies ate healthy. Then it was on to the Dallas Arboretum at White Rock Lake for a leisurely tour of the gorgeous gardens and the spectacular exhibit of Dale Chihuly blown glass sculptures that were scattered through the grounds and fountains. 
These priceless works of art are at the Arboretum through October and are a must stop if you are in the area. It was really nice to have Sheila guide us around the Arboretum making sure we didn’t miss a thing with Peter helping identify the local flora and fauna. We got much more out of the visit just being with friends after so long on the road. Peter also provided welcome advice as we tackle West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona over the summer.
On Sunday, I walked from the Park Cities through the Arts and Historic Districts of downtown Dallas and then headed west towards Grand Prairie. Sunday on a holiday weekend may be the best time for a pedestrian to make the trek through town. 
I got to gawk all I wanted. Dallas is such a progressive and attractive city with everything looking absolutely first class. After my walk, we headed back to spend more time at SMU and downtown. Lunch was at Eatzi’s, a unique café and bakery that we remembered from prior visits to the city when our son worked at SMU and our daughter-in-law started her veterinary career. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to “Big D.”
On Memorial Day, I’ll walk again in the morning and then we hope to find a Southwest furniture store or two open. Just looking, though we really admire this style of furniture. We’ll also take some time to honor those who have given so much to make America free and safe. Thanks to our fallen military heroes and their families. Late in the day, we plan to return to Peter and Sheila’s home for a cookout. Really looking forward to it. Here is my schedule for the next few days:
Monday, May 28 … thru Grand Prairie toward Arlington on Hwy 180
Tuesday, May 29 … no official walk, taking RV in for service, then a webcast at the AHA
Wednesday, May 30 … into Fort Worth on Lancaster Avenue
