WOO logo

Dallas, TX

As you know from my last newsletter I traveled to Texas to experience the total solar eclipse in 2024. I reached Dallas on a Friday and then made my way to Waco for the eclipse two days later. This schedule provided me with around 48 hours to explore Dallas, a city I had never visited before. Although I've managed to visit 49 states in total, including Texas on three previous occasions, I never found the time to explore Dallas. This journey was an opportunity to change that. Most of the content in this newsletter will consist of photographs from my trip.

The American Airlines Center, home to the Mavericks basketball team and the Stars hockey team.
The American Airlines Center, home to the Mavericks basketball team and the Stars hockey team.
This is one of Dallas's oldest log cabins.
This is one of Dallas's oldest log cabins.
Dallas Courthouse
Dallas Courthouse
The Eyeball
The Eyeball
George W Bush Museum.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library, which makes this my eighth visit to a presidential museum. I've also visited the museums of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
That evening, Adam Ant was performing at the Majestic Theatre.
Adam Ant was playing that night at the Majestic Theatre, a name I hadn't heard mentioned in about 40 years.
Katy Trail
Katy Trail
I discovered a well-maintained 3.5-mile exercise path. I realized I was somewhat overdressed for the occasion. To my defense, it had been cold, windy, and rainy when I left the hotel, but within half an hour, the weather turned sunny, hot, and humid.
Kennedy Memorial
Kennedy Memorial
This building was once a book depository from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed John F. Kennedy.
This is the site of the former book depository where Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated John F. Kennedy. I'm indicating the first window on the right side of the sixth floor, where the shots were fired.
Dealey Plaza.
Dealey Plaza.
The location marked with an X on Elm Street is where the third bullet struck Kennedy fatally in the head.
The location marked with an X on Elm Street is where the third bullet struck Kennedy fatally in the head.
Conspiracy theories often suggest the existence of a second shooter or just one shooter, depending on the narrative, allegedly hiding behind this fence.
Conspiracy theories often suggest the existence of a second shooter or just one shooter, depending on the narrative, allegedly hiding behind this fence.
Me and Rosa Parks.
Me and Rosa Parks.
Dallas successfully promoted the eclipse event.
Dallas put in commendable efforts to promote the eclipse, with numerous activities, including a festival held in a local park.

You can see that I spent a considerable amount of time around Dealey Plaza. Mrs. Wizard and I initially visited the Kennedy Memorial, where a conspiracy theory tour was taking place. Mrs. Wizard seemed quite fascinated, and we decided to join the rest of the tour, which included stops at Dealey Plaza.

The tour guide presented a rather biased perspective. For instance, he claimed that Oswald's fingerprints were never discovered on his rifle. While that's true, he conveniently omitted the fact that Oswald's palm print was found. He also stated that Oswald nearly attained the lowest passing score as a Marine sharpshooter. While that applied to his most recent test, the guide failed to mention that Oswald performed better on an earlier assessment. Furthermore, he didn’t acknowledge that even the least successful Marine sharpshooters are still exceptional marksmen compared to other military branches.

This journey was my fourth significant visit to Texas. I've now traveled to every major city in Texas, as well as some smaller towns, including Albany in Shackelford County. I've always found Texans to be incredibly warm and welcoming, and my experience in Dallas was no different.