random thoughts

Cowtown Adventure

| Chris

It was the last day of my whirlwind Texas road trip and Fort Worth was the last stop. So the choice was obvious. The Stockyards. Walking through its brick-paved streets felt like stepping back in time. Once the hub of cattle drives and livestock trading in the late 1800s, the Stockyards became the beating heart of the Texas cattle industry. By the early 20th century, it was one of the largest livestock markets in the world, shaping Fort Worth’s identity as “Cowtown.”

Today, the history lingers in every detail: the longhorn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, the old pens turned into shops and restaurants, and the aroma of barbecue drifting through the air. I wandered past saloons and rustic storefronts, imagining the bustle of cowhands and traders who once filled these streets.

Though my visit was brief, the Stockyards offered a vivid snapshot of Texas heritage—equal parts living museum and lively entertainment district. One day was enough to feel the grit, charm, and enduring spirit of Fort Worth.

Dallas in a Day

| Chris

I spent a day in Dallas exploring some of its most historic and thought‑provoking spots. My first stop was the Dallas County Courthouse, a striking red sandstone building known as the “Old Red.” Its castle‑like towers made it feel more like a landmark than just a courthouse, and it set the tone for the day.

From there, I walked over to the JFK Memorial Plaza, a simple yet powerful monument. The stark concrete walls created a quiet space for reflection, honoring President Kennedy’s legacy in a way that felt both solemn and timeless.

Nearby was Dealey Plaza, the site forever tied to history. Standing there, surrounded by the familiar landmarks, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the events that unfolded in 1963. Just steps away, the Grassy Knoll offered another perspective—one of those places you’ve heard about countless times, but seeing it in person makes the story more real.

I did not go inside the Sixth Floor Museum as time didn’t permit. It is housed in the former Texas School Book Depository. It was deeply sobering and emotional even to just view it from the ground.

To balance the heaviness of the day, I headed to the Reunion Tower, one of Dallas’s most recognizable landmarks. From its observation deck, the city stretched out in every direction, a reminder of Dallas’s modern energy alongside its historic past.

I wrapped up the trip by hopping on a tour bus through downtown, a quick but fun way to take in the city’s highlights. Skyscrapers, bustling streets, and pockets of art and culture rolled by, giving me a snapshot of Dallas in motion.

It was a short trip, but each stop added a layer of understanding. Dallas offered not just sights, but stories, reminders of how places can hold memory and meaning long after the moment has passed.

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

Woke up in Waco

| Chris

Driving north from Houston, I thought I’d spend a day and wander around Waco. Why not? I’ve never been before. Well, it turned out to be a perfect little adventure!

First stop was Cottonland Castle, a quirky old stone mansion tucked into a neighborhood. It felt like stumbling across a piece of Europe right in Texas.

From there, I headed to the Dr. Pepper Museum, where the history of the soda came alive in vintage ads, old bottling equipment, and of course, a cold Dr. Pepper at the end.

Next, the Silos at Magnolia. The place was buzzing with energy! Food trucks, shops and families milling around. I grabbed a snack, soaked in the atmosphere, and admired how the place blends rustic charm with modern flair.

Later, I stumbled on to Indian Spring Park, where the Waco Suspension Bridge stretched gracefully across the Brazos River. Nearby, the “Branding the Brazos” Sculpture stood tall, a striking tribute to the cattle drives that shaped Texas history.

By the end of the day, I felt like I’d touched a little bit of everything. History, culture, and local flavor, all wrapped up in one quick little trip.

A Day in Galveston Island

| Chris

With only a single day to spend in Galveston, I wasted no time and headed straight for the historic seaport. The old docks felt alive with stories, and a boat ride gave me a chance to see the harbor from the water. As we glided past the SS Selma shipwreck, I couldn’t help but imagine the storms that had left their mark, reminders of both fragility and resilience.

Back on land, I drove the island from the Northeastern tip all the way down past Galveston State Park, watching it unfold in contrasts. Busy piers, quiet neighborhoods, stretches of sand where the horizon seemed endless. The gulf side was wide open, the waves steady, and the air thick with the rhythm of the coast.

Dinner was seafood, fresh and simple. As the sun lowered, I walked along the beach, toes sinking into the sand, the sound of waves steady and soothing.

It was just one day, but it felt complete. History, sea, and shore woven together into a memory worth keeping.

Houston, we are fine

| Chris

With limited time in Houston, I knew I had to make every moment count. The sprawling Texas metropolis stretched out before me, and I needed a strategy to capture its essence in just a few hours.

I started my adventure aboard one of Houston’s iconic double-decker buses, climbing to the open-air upper level where the warm Texas breeze swept past as we rolled through downtown. From my elevated perch, I watched the city’s impressive skyline unfold—gleaming glass towers reflecting the afternoon sun, historic buildings nestled between modern skyscrapers, and the bustling streets below teeming with life. The narrated tour painted vivid pictures of Houston’s oil boom history, its diverse neighborhoods, and its transformation into America’s fourth-largest city.

After circling through the heart of downtown, I hopped off at the Downtown Aquarium, a surprising oasis in the urban landscape. Inside, I wandered through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks gliding overhead, watched playful sea otters tumble through their habitat, and marveled at the vibrant tropical fish darting through coral reefs. The aquarium offered a refreshing pause from the city’s energy—a moment of tranquility before my final destination.

The real highlight awaited me south of the city: NASA’s Space Center Houston. As I drove down, anticipation built with every mile. Walking through the complex, I stood beneath actual spacecraft that had journeyed beyond Earth’s atmosphere, touched a moon rock that had traveled 240,000 miles, and toured the historic Mission Control room where “Houston, we have a problem” became part of our cultural lexicon. The experience was humbling and inspiring—a reminder of human ingenuity and our endless curiosity about the cosmos.

Though my time in Houston was brief, the city left a lasting impression: a place where Southern hospitality meets space-age innovation, where you can explore ocean depths and cosmic heights all in just a couple of days.

It’s a Trap!

| Chris

This morning, I read this passage from 1 Cor 6:7b… “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” The context talks about disputes and division between brothers/sisters. I thought, well, easy for you to say, Paul!

Anyway, I digress. I can’t help but be moved by the reaction I’ve seen and heard after the tragic events of late. I believe in discourse, but man, this is just straight up ugly! Listen, I’m not much politically-inclined. I make art and music. That’s it! I don’t pretend to fully understand the ideology behind either side of the aisle.

But here’s what’s stark in my mind: Righteousness and evil are obvious. And I have yet to see good fruit grow. Anywhere! Look, when we’re for one, we’re against the other. It only makes sense, right? We love one, we hate another. We’re right, they’re wrong. We see our own needs and cries but we’re oblivious to that of those we oppose. After all, why should we care? So, there’s no sense of humility. No unity. No forgiveness or understanding. Hence, no peace.

Plenty of blame to go around though.

Political convictions, it seems, can become a form of weapon. A means to hurt. At times, without even knowing it. It could be as subtle as a voice. Could be a given right, a privilege. Or it could be worse, as we all have witnessed lately! This weapon, some people conceal it, some brandish it, and some even flat out wield it. Nevertheless, that weapon can easily become our way, our truth, and our life. Our Constitution even. Constantly on the battlefield fighting an unwinnable war. Unaware that love has already won it for us all.

So, you know what I think? I think it’s a trap!

First Stop, San Antonio

| Chris

A friend of mine and I went on a weeklong road trip to Texas and our first stop was San Antonio. Actually, it was Austin but unfortunately, we arrived late in the evening to be able to do any sightseeing. Maybe next time.

Early the next morning, we drove down to San Antonio. It was my first time. This gorgeous city proved to be an enchanting destination for a quick day trip. Since we only had a day to spend, we picked the three obvious iconic spots.

First Stop, the Alamo. Walking up to the hallowed grounds, I was initially surprised by its size. It’s actually smaller than I imagined! But what an incredible piece of history. Standing in front of that famous limestone facade gave me goosebumps. Inside, I was fascinated by the collection of artifacts from the Texas Revolution. It was moving to learn about the brave defenders like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. And it was completely free to visit!

Next, we headed down to the Riverwalk, just a stone’s throw away from the Alamo. It felt like discovering a hidden world below the city streets. We strolled along the cypress-lined paths, and I loved watching the tour boats glide by. I loved it so much I had to hop on one myself! The atmosphere was absolutely magical, as was the scenery. It’s definitely the most charming part of San Antonio I’ve seen.

To cap off our day, we trekked down to the Tower of the Americas. This 750-foot observation tower provides spectacular panoramic views of the city. Located in Hemisfair Park, it’s not just about the view; the tower also features a revolving restaurant and a 4D theater ride that gives a unique perspective of Texas’ cultural heritage. It’s a fantastic way to wrap up our visit!

Even with just a few hours to spare, San Antonio’s top attractions provide a fulfilling and memorable experience, showcasing the best of historical and modern Texas.

Through the Eyes of the Pioneers

| Chris

There’s this little town tucked in the middle of nowhere, Nebraska. I was told about it by a friend years ago. So when I got a chance to travel to Nebraska, I made sure to make a detour. My wife and I were coming back home from Omaha and we decided to swing by a small town called Minden to visit this place my friend told me about. I wasn’t expecting much from a small town museum, but this place completely blew me away! And I love a good history lesson.

First, a bit about Minden itself. This tiny town of about 3,000 people has been around since 1876, when it was established and named after Minden, in Germany. The town was settled by German, Swedish, and Danish immigrants, which explains its quaint Midwestern charm and the incredibly friendly locals I encountered.

But the real star of the show is Pioneer Village, and calling it just a “village” is seriously underselling it. This place has 28 buildings on 20 acres housing over 50,000 irreplaceable items of historical value. It all started because of one guy, Harold Warp, who made his fortune in Chicago manufacturing plastic film. When he found out his hometown had put the one-room school house he attended as a child up for auction, he purchased the building in 1953 and just kept going from there.

Walking through the place feels like time travel. You’ve got everything from horse-drawn carriages to early automobiles, vintage farm equipment, household appliances and even old airplanes. The chronological layout really shows you how America evolved from pioneer days to modern times. We spent way longer there than I planned – there’s honestly something fascinating around every corner.

What struck me most was how well-preserved everything is. These aren’t just dusty artifacts sitting behind glass; most of the items are restored to operating order. You can actually see how these machines and tools worked, which makes history feel so much more real and tangible.

If you’re ever driving through Nebraska, definitely make the stop. Minden might be small, but Pioneer Village is easily one of the coolest museums I’ve visited. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how much ingenuity and hard work went into building this country. You’ll see it all through the eyes of the pioneers! And it’s way more entertaining than you’d expect from a small town museum.