Top Ten Water Activities During a Heat Wave

From least expensive to more expensive.

1. Lawn Sprinklers. They seemed to work well when I was a kid. Although jumping through a sprinkler gets a little monontonous after the third trip. I spiced it up a little for my kids by playing base tag with the sprinkler in the middle.

2. Your neighbor's swimming pool. This is why God gave us neighbors -- to use their swimming pool. When they are away on vacation and you can use it without them knowing it is even better.

3. Your own KMart swimming pool. I advise against this one. You've had one so you know why.

4. A real swimming pool. It's a little late to have one installed, but at some point any amount of money is worth it.

5. Country Clubs have pretty good deals these days for swim-only memberships.

6. Burgers Lake. Hey whats an occasional water born microbe gonna hurt. Actually, my kids used to enjoy Burgers Lake. Is it still open?

7. Airport Marriott. Still my sentimental favorite. Weekend rates, rooms on the pool level, bar, restaurant. Putt - putt golf in the hallways. Or closer, the Omni for the weekend. They have a rooftop pool.

8. Area lakes. I'm not a big lake person so I can't help much here.

9. The long drive to Corpus Christi. Nah.

10. Comal River around New Braunfels. I love this one. The water is as clear as can be. Cool. Spring fed. The best water spot in Texas. Likewise, tubing along the Guadalupe and drop off at Gruene. Then stay for beer and country music at Gruene Hall. Good choice there.

10b. Still too damn hot? Go north and east to a very big body of water called the Atlantic.

The Best Places to Visit in Fort Worth and Dallas.

Best places to visit? My favorite places to take guests? It is a question I am often asked. This post addresses that question. The selections are, of course, reflective of my interests and the interests of my guests, and I am sure I have missed more than a few. But these are the ones that came to mind quickly.

1. Central Market. Fort Worth, I30 and Hulen. Most of my friends like good food so Central Market is a must see. Great place for lunch or weekend Beer and Burger.
2. Bass Hall / Downtown Fort Worth. If there isn’t a show you want to see, walk by, walk in, and get a tour. It is one of the world’s best halls for voice performance. It is host to everything from opera to country music.
3. Stockyards / Far north side of Downtown. It has more than a little bit of the touristy old West feel but the remnants of old Fort Worth are there. The place cattle drives stopped and the industries that developed around them. In the evening you can find an small but authentic Texas beer joint or you go to Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest honky-tonk. You ought to go at least once.
4. Mi Cocina’s / Downtown Fort Worth. My favorite place for good Mexican food under American influence. Large portions, good food, excellent service and reasonably priced (the mixed drinks are expensive, like any restaurant). On a pleasant evening, eat outside.
5. Kinkaid’s / Camp Bowie / Fort Worth. Once a small grocery store that sold hamburgers. Now my favorite hamburger place in Fort Worth.
6. Dallas Cowboy Stadium / Arlington. Even if you don’t like football it is worth visiting. If you do like football, and had hoped to see the old Texas Stadium in Irving -- sorry the Cowboys have moved.
7. Ballpark in Arlington / Arlington. A great place to watch a game of baseball. Outfield seats are cheap. If you want to enjoy a good game in real Texas heat you’ll like it.
8. Bull and Bush / Montgomery Street / Fort Worth. There are plenty of places to get a cold beer in the area. Bull and Bush is one of the few without televisions and with darts.
9. Deep Ellum / Dallas. An evening visit to Deep Ellum is a walk into a world not usually associated with Texas. Very hip, youth oriented.
10. Modern Art Museum / Fort Worth. A beautiful building and home to many pieces of art worth seeing.
11. Kimble Art Museum / Fort Worth. One of the nations best art museums.
12. Farmer’s Market / Dallas. late spring -- mid summer are the best times to visit if you like garden fresh tomatoes.
13. Peaches / Weatherford. In peach season you will find no better peaches.
14. Botanic Gardens / Fort Worth. A great city park for walking. Rose gardens, walking paths, picturesque vistas.
15. Trinity River Walk / Fort Worth. 30 miles along the Trinity. Great place to walk or ride a bike.
16. Fort Worth Zoo / Fort Worth. One of the best in the nation. The oldest in the DFW area.
    
17. Dallas Arboretum / Dallas. Spring blooming season. Worth a visit.
18. Omni Hotel / Fort Worth. If you like looking at buildings -- this is a good one.
19. T&P Train Station / Fort Worth. Fort Worth's great contribution to trains and Art Deco.
20. Montgomery Ward Plaza. Again, another great building that has been renovated. I like the drive-through area, although other, more preservation minded folks didn't.
    

I know I missed some things. Any big oversights?

Bailey's Prime Steakhouse and Patrizio Pasta

"Bailey's Prime Steakhouse and Patrizio Pasta coming to West 7th."

That is the headline at DFW.com and the Star-Telegram website. The Star-Telegram article is little more than an announcement. I have never been to the Bailey's Steakhouse in Dallas, so I did a little research. The steakhouse was reviewed by the The Dallas Morning News restaurant critic -- but not favorably. As a matter of fact, he pretty much trashed it. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontentl

I have to admit to having mixed feelings on the mega-steakhouses in general, at least from the view of a personal dining choice. The cost to build and build-out one of these places is anywhere from 2 -- 10 million dollars. The Del Friscos in Philly cost around 7 million, I hear. The prospective clientele for these restaurants is not the local diner but the business diner. We need them in the city but when the wife and I are going out for a special dinner, I want the money going into good food and not faux-velvet wall paper. But that's me.

Patrizio Pasta looks like a nice medium priced Italian restaurant. Again, I have never been to any of their Dallas-area locations.

Let's hope for the best in both restaurants, anyone with a comment on Bailey's or Patrizios please weigh in. Thanks.