Start
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Cotton Wood Trail
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N 35.47863 W 97.38841
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N-S miles 12.3
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End
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Tx State Fair
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N 35.43511 W 97.37061
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Trl lgth 17 Ride 18.8 m
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Ride hr 2:11
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AVS 8.3
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MXS 16.5
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DST 18.8 mi
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Tmp 83
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Kcal 835
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After Katy Trail # 2 in Oklahoma, I was off to Dallas, Texas. I drove to Richardson, Texas and parked the car at Creekside Baptist Church. I didn't have water in my bottles so I ventured inside the church and called out, "hello, is anyone here". There was a car near the front door so I figured someone was there, but no one answered my call. I went into the restroom and filled my water bottles.When I came out of the restroom Lo and behold there was a gentleman setting up a circle of chairs and the end of the sanctuary. I jumped in surprise and so did he. I apologized for the scare and said I had called out earlier but no one answered. He forgave me and wished me well on crossing the country on trails. I am forever grateful to Pastor Cargile for his kindness, fresh water and well wishes.
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This verification mugshot serves to validate my "Beem There,
Done That" at the Cotton Wood Trail Head. |
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Beautiful clouds float over White Rock Lake, a 1,254 acre
reservoir only a few miles from downtown Dallas. The trail
skirts the west side of the lake making for a cooler ride. |
I rode from the church through a quiet neighborhood that connected with the Cottonwood Creek Trail. The residential streets I rode were like many streets in Dallas and Ft. Worth with signage indicating one lane is for motor vehicles and the outside lane for parking and bicycle riding. Not all streets and roads are designated as such, yet groups of riders that give bicyclists a bad name, were out in droves near White Rock Lake, riding four and five abreast and holding up traffic. I think it is rude for these fanatics to hog the road especially when there is an eight foot paved trail juxtapositioned only a few feet from the road. Yes bicyclists have equal right to the road, but too often a group can be obnoxious as hell. Red-necked A-holes shouting out obscenities to small groups and single riders riding on the shoulder or crossing a highway. Since Chris and my ride near the Canadian Border, I have not heard one negative word---hope that continues. The Cottonwood Creek Trail changed to the White Rock Creek Trail ; then the White Rock Lake Trail and finally the Santa Fe trail. Over half of these trails ran through parks that made the ride very enjoyable sans the twelve mile per hour headwind. After reaching the southwest corner of White Rock Lake, the trail headed toward downtown Dallas. When I got to the junction of the of the interstate and several other major roadways, I took a picture of what appeared be a four level interchange like I drove when living in the Santa Monica, California. I am intrigued by the engineering skills needed to develop such a complex network of super highways.
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Four levels of roadway is viewed from the Santa Fe Trail.
I was impressed with the art work shown to the right of the
trail. I didn't realize I was close to Baylor Medical Center. I
should have stopped to say hi to Brad Crump, periodontist. |
After I assured I had made it to the necessary latitude, I started to look for a good spot to call a cab to get me back to the car. I started riding toward the Cotton Bowl and found the back entrance to the Texas State Fair. I don't think I was supposed to be inside the gates but it was obvious the opening of the fair was a week or more away. There were a few people working to adjust lights, operate water fountains and cleaning buildings in preparation of a big event. This fair is largest in the United States and must be one of the largest fairs in the world, given it runs for four weeks and boasts an attendance of 2.5 million . The Iowa State Fair for example runs for ten days and has less than half the attendance. I think it would be fun to go to the Texas State Fair but I doubt Connie would be interested in such an event. I remember going to the Iowa State Fair to help my dad set-up displays of apples from our orchard. I know he received a few blue ribbons and several second place honors. It was enjoyable to see my dad's face when he saw the blue ribbons. I never saw him smile a lot but the ribbons, especially the blue ones were a treasure. .
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My bike leaning against the barricade to the right is dwarfed by the mega
sign at the enterance to the State Fair of Texas. Everything has to be big in
Texas including a 212 foot Ferris Wheel and 500 foot observation tower. It
took an hour to get a taxi back to my car. The cab was designed for wheel
chairs which was perfect for hauling my bike. I don't think they charged extra. |
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