Slowing Down (Literally and Figuratively)

So after the breakneck pace to get to Fort Worth (on I-45 -- don't do it), we made a conscious decision to "slow down".  From now on we'll keep the speed limited to 55 mph, and ideally, avoid all interstates.  We figure this will be a better way to see the country, keep Thistle Dew Too happy, and remain relaxed.  And when possible, we'll spend multiple days in one location to "smell the roses".

So we drove past a recommended TX state park (Mineral Wells) because it was really close to Fort Worth, and decided to rest in a picnic area along RT 180.  Turns out this is allowed in TX and many other states -- you can stay in your vehicle, but must leave within 24 hours.  This policy sounds very reasonable to me, and would make for safer roads everywhere, I suspect.

So anyways, we found a nice picnic area (GPS: 32.7598 -98.991295) west of Breckenridge that overlooked Hubbard Creek Lake and a mile long bridge across it.  A very nice place to park for the night and watch the sunset.

TD2 at Picnic Area, Rt 180, Breckenridge, TX, GPS 32.7598, -98.991295, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Sitting Room View, Rt 180, Breckenridge, TX, GPS 32.7598, -98.991295, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And now having been on the road for a couple of weeks, we had eaten through most of the prepared foods that Carol had made for us at home.  So now, after restocking veggies and other fresh food in Fort Worth, it was time to try vegan cooking on the road.

And yes, we have proven what all you experience travelers already know, it is possible.  Carol whipped up a yummy salad (including spinach, red pepper, sweet onion, celery, carrot, beets, garbanzo beans, black olives, tomatoes, capers, apple, and walnuts).  Yum!  She also made a one-pot sweet potato and lentil soup/stew.  Both of these are vegan, using no oil, so they are quite healthy (and yummy).  

RV Vegan Cooking, Rt 180, Breckenridge, TX, GPS 32.7598, -98.991295, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Yummy and Healthy, Rt 180, Breckenridge, TX, GPS 32.7598, -98.991295, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And should anyone be interested in this one-pot recipe, here it is, based on www.thevegan8.com (modifications in yellow by Carol):

Recipe: Makes about 8 cups Prep: 15 mins Cook: 30 mins
Gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free, practically fat-free
Nutrition per 1 cup serving: 143.8 calories/ 34.3 carbs/ 15g protein/ 1.25g fat

1 lb bag of dry green lentils
1 large sweet onion
5 large garlic cloves
3 medium sweet potatoes, cut into bite size chunks
6 oz (1 can) tomato paste
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (don’t omit!)
1/2 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sea salt (add more to desired taste)
Optional:  ~2 cups of vegetable juicer pulp (we got from our friends).  Made it very hearty -- more like a stew than a soup, and very yummy.

Rinse lentils well and add them into a large pot with 8 cups of water. Next, peel and chop the sweet potatoes into bite size tomato paste and stir well to combine everything. Bring to a boil, stir, and turn to simmer and put the lid on with it slightly tilted to let some of the steam escape. Simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender, but not mushy, stirring a few times during the cooking process. If you cook it too fast, the lentils will not become tender.

Fort Worth, TX (Day 2)

So our friends twisted our arms, and we spent another night at their lovely home.  The sacrifices one is asked to make on the road -- I tell ya.

We visited the downtown section of Fort Worth and had more lovely picture taking opportunities:

Cattle Drive Mural, Fort Worth Town Center, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Town Center Fountain Fort Worth Town Center, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Backlit Tree, Fort Worth Town Center, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Magical Light, Fort Worth Town Center, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Next stop was the daily longhorn cattle drive that they put on in the old Stockyard Station.  Yes, this is a touristy event, but hey, we're tourists!  Did you know the longhorns can stretch 6 feet in width?

Boot Sign, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Steven Rides the Champ, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stockyard Station, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Longhorn Cattle Drive, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

After that, we stumbled upon a re-enactment of Texas Independence and the tale of the Alamo.  This is more likely a once a year event, so consider these tourists lucky!

Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Texas Independence Day Re-enactment, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Fire that Canon!, Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

A Visit with Friends

Our recent "plan" did not have us in the Fort Worth area, as we were hugging the Gulf Coast.  But what became  a missed opportunity with another friend turned us north, so we continued up on I-45 (not recommended -- they drive really fast in TX -- not to mention the construction ;-)

Anyways, we made it and had a wonderful visit, and thanks to their kindness, spent two days sleeping on a real bed, and in general, slowing down.  We needed that!

Fort Worth is quite an interesting city -- growing like gangbusters, with the highways to prove it, and yet the city center has a small(ish) town feel, and the people were few and far between.  We really enjoyed walking around and taking (lots of) pictures.  First stop was an amazing water park -- artsy and clever -- not the play-kind.  And you may recognize this pool from the movie, Logan's Run.

Fort Worth Water Park, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol and Steve at the Bottom, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol on the Steps, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Aeration Pool, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our next stop was to a nearby JFK memorial, where the President spoke the morning before he was assassinated in Dallas.  A nice memorial, and some interesting architecture (you can tell I like taking photos of buildings).

JFK Memorial, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Contrast and Perspective, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Lots of Blue, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Window Washers, Fort Worth, TX, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We'll have some more photos and activities in Fort Worth in the next post.  We sure had a blast.