More Texas Ramblings
More Texas Ramblings
The next day I rented a car, with the help of the hotel staff. The hotel staff called the car rental company from behind their desk. They came to the hotel, picked me up, and drove me to the car rental office. Great service. This allowed me to stay inside and spend less time in the sun. With the temperatures in Texas, this was a big advantage.First thing I wanted to know about the car was 'where is the air conditioner?' Practice working it, so there will be no questions when I'm on the road. Then it was off to the zoo. I know it's hot and that's uncomfortable. But I adore animals and like to go to zoos. Ever since I knew I was coming to Fort Worth, I've been planning to see the zoo. It not as big as the Woodland Park zoo in Seattle or the Point Defiance zoo in Tacoma. But the animals were cool. They have meerkats at the Fort Worth zoo, and they don't at the Seattle or Tacoma zoo (at least not last time I checked). Meerkats, are so-o--o cute. There was only one of the little guys out when I was there. I got a photo of it. I tried to get another picture, and even joked with the meerkat. "Hey, buddy, look this way and say cheese." But the meerkat went into his/her hole before I could get a second picture. I guess the meerkats don't like the heat either.
Thank goodness there is a lot of shade at the zoo, plus some of the exhibits were in air conditioned buildings. I'm a lot more interested in mammals than in bugs, reptiles, and frogs. But the latter type of creatures were indoors, away from the heat. So I spent a lot more time with them than I otherwise would have.
I would have enjoyed the zoo a lot more if it hadn't been so hot. The Fort Worth zoo has it's hours mostly during the hottest part of the day too. They don't open until 10 am. That eliminates many of the cooler early morning hours(oh, well, I'm not a morning person anyway). Then they close at 5 pm, just as it's starting to seriously cool down. I don't know why they do that. I guess they're so used to heat that they don't think in terms of helping people with it.
Still, the zoo was neat. I saw bears, deer, antelope, gorillas, and adorable swift foxes. The swift fox is a real trip of an animal. A miniature species that is endangered, they're cute as buttons. I wish I'd thought to take a picture, but by the time I thought of it, the fox had moved away from the perfect place. Still, I have a cool memory of that fox.
All too soon it was 5 pm and they were pushing everybody out the door. I wanted to stay longer. It felt like the zoo was closing too soon. Then I went to dinner, and went back to my hotel, and watched Daystar. YEAH, Daystar. The thing I came for. Tomorrow night, the Refreshing Times Christian Conference starts, which is sponsored by, you guessed it, Daystar. It's going to be right here in the very hotel where I'm staying. Very convenient.
The next day was Thursday, August 20, 2009. I went out to eat at the Golden Coral restaurant. I'd seen that restaurant advertised on TV. But they don't have them in the Seattle area. Knowing that I'd be in a different part of the country, I decided to try it. Then I went looking for a Super Cuts hair styling place to get my hair trimmed, and almost got run off the road by a truck. When I got to Super Cuts, I told the lady working on my hair about that truck. She sympathized and said the truck drivers around here are like that, and a lot of people in the area drive very aggressively too.
Then I went to the bank (my bank has branches around the country). The girl who served me at the bank also said that the drivers in the area were aggressive. She said they're even worse in Dallas. She said she won't even go to Dallas, because of the crazy drivers there. OK, so now I know to be real careful.
I wanted to see the Log Cabin village, which was right across the street from the zoo. But it would involve some walking around, and it was too hot for that. So I decided to return to my hotel, and go swimming instead. Yes, definitely a much better activity choice.
As I pulled into the valet parking and got out of my rental car, I saw Eddie Coronado get out of the car behind me. I wanted to go over and say, "Hi Eddie." But I had to tell myself to get a grip. 'You may know him, but he doesn't know you,' I had to remind myself. So I just silently watched him pass. He seemed in a hurry. I prayed, "Dear God, make me a blessing to all of them, and them a blessing to me."
For those who don't know, Eddie Coronado is one of the Daystar Singers. They're a Christian singing group, with a band that plays with them. The singing and band group is connected to Daystar Television, an all Christian Television Network. I see the Daystar Singers on TV several times a week, sometimes more frequently. I'm a major fan of the group.
I've come for the Refreshing Times Conference that Daystar is putting on. Fortunately for me, it worked out to come a couple days early, and stay a day late. So I get to do some tourist stuff too.
The Refreshing Times Conference is starting tonight, and Daystar people are arriving at the hotel. How exciting. As I took the escalator up to the second floor, I heard the Daystar singers practicing. I went over to the door the sound was coming from and peaked in. At the far end of the room was a stage and there they were. Singing loudly and practicing away. It was beautiful and cool. But it occurred to me that the whole point of practicing is to make your boo-boos when the audience isn't around, and maybe they would prefer not to have people come in and watch right now. So I left. I doubt he Daystar Singers saw me there anyway. They were busy, the room was big and dark, except for the stage, which was lit, there were support staff everywhere, and the Daystar Singers looked small from the distance of the door. Now I know which Ballroom the event will be in tonight.
Do I still want to go swimming? Yes, it's hot outside, even if air conditioning makes it cool inside. So I should go swimming.
While in the swimming pool, I met a woman who was also a tourist. Her husband was there on business. She and her three year old daughter had tagged along. She told me about the Dallas World Aquarium, that it's like a small zoo, with small monkeys and other non-water critters. It's a lot cooler than the zoo, because it's indoors.
Way cool. Next time I have the chance to do the tourist thing (the Refreshing Times Conference will keep me busy for the next two days) I'll go to the Dallas Aquarium. I won't even let the crazy drivers deter me (although I'll certainly try to steer away from the trucks).
Posted by Ceecee at 9/15/2009 8:51 PM 
Categories: Texas, Christian TV, travel, Refreshing Times Conference
Tags: Texas Christian TV travel Refreshing Times Conference
Categories: Texas, Christian TV, travel, Refreshing Times Conference
Tags: Texas Christian TV travel Refreshing Times Conference
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