The Glenna Itinerary, Part II

With the start of the new week, we geared up for more city explorations. Originally, I had wanted to take Glenna to the Dallas Museum of Art and the downtown library, but apparently both are closed on Mondays. (What?!) We'll just have to do those next time. We found some fantastic "alternative" activities for the day.

Monday morning was perfectly overcast and not quite as hot. We explored Klyde Warren Park. This park is unique, because it is in the heart of the city, build atop the Woodall Rogers Freeway. It's a brilliant use of space!

Walking to KW

Pianos in the park...whaaa??!

Small off-leash park!

Free ping-pong!

The "Reading Room"

She loves books!

She found a picture of Elvis and Nixon

Skyline panorama!

Take One

Two

Three

Four

Five

The trip to Klyde Warren was a smashing success! I can't wait to take Ty here. And everyone who visits! They regularly host events on the evenings and weekends. What a fun way to experience the city.

The last big thing we had planned was a visit to SMU. I love showing the people I love where I will be spending most of my time the next two years. Per Aunt Sharry's recommendation, we toured the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum while we were on campus. It was also my first time to visit, and I will also be returning with family and friends.

The Presidential Library opened almost a week following our first visit to SMU. (Read: April 2013)

Did you know? Laura Bush is an SMU grad.

Baseball is a Texas tradition!

One of the galleries is entitled, "The World Reacts," and it is all about the days immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001. It real and sobering. In the center rests a structure that was built from the remains of one of the Twin Towers. Footage of the attacks also plays on repeat.

Prayers and letters from children

Day-by-day video footage of the President's addresses to the American people.

Oval office replica

The classy First Lady and her pooches. I like this.

Fast Fact No. 1: I met the former president back in 2000, while he was Governor of Texas and Republican candidate for the presidency.

Fast Fact No. 2: I attended the 2004 Presidential Inauguration

Fast Fact No. 3: I have been in the real Oval Office.

Back to Glenna...

Next we visited the Meadows building and walked through the Hamon Arts Library. Glenna seemed right at home inside my new school.

To top off the trip, we went out for pizza on Monday night at one of our new favorites: Campisi's!

They make a mean gluten-free pizza; in fact, the grilled chicken spinach alfredo pizza I had received top marks of any pizza I've ever had. Bravo, chef!

Campisi's is a Dallas chain that was established in 1946. The location by us has been open since 1950! Not much has changed since then. It's fabulous. It's also known for being the meeting spot for the Dallas Mafia way back when.

We returned home with full bellies and settled in for some movie and snuggle time. Brooklyn isn't a fan of movies, but she loves snuggling.

Since Glenna's flight didn't depart until Tuesday afternoon, we had time for one last thing.
But first, I had to keep Brooklyn from disturbing Glenna. I held off until nearly 8AM. This is what I found.

White Rock Lake Park is one of my most favorite places in all of Dallas, so Glenna just had to see it before flying home. She took a book and settled into a shady spot while Brooklyn and I went for a short run.

Glenna, we had a fantastic time showing you our new city! Thank you for taking the initiative to fly out here all on your own, asking off work, and loving all the places we showed you. You are a most delightful "guest," and you are welcome any time.