Fort Worth Warnings Or Dangers

We all need to be reminded that in the older cities a lot of the streets are one way. Just wanted to remind everyone of this. Either you go the correct way and you will find yourself seeing very colorful hand gestures. Just be careful now!

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After my recent visit 2010, it was clear that after the terrible accident that claimed four beautiful lives in 2004, the city retrofitted the falls to be much safer. They added additional sitting, handrails, and safety gate that is locked after hours. The main things is the water should only be two feet in the deepest part. Yet, the rules still apply, no swimming. So still be careful. This is dedicated to Myron, Lauren, & Christopher Dukes and Jauntrice Deadman.

From my last visit in 2005: On my last visit, I wanted to go over to the Water Gardens on 1600 Houston Street in down town Ft. Worth. It was disturbing to see so many flowers gracing a wall and I thought, "Oh no, someone must had been mugged and killed or something to that effect!" I was wrong! Four people drowned June 16, 2004 in these falls because they didn't realize how deep (was over the proper water level) and that there is a huge pump that recycles the water continuously to make the water fall. One person fell in and didn't come up and then in continued like that with attempted rescue by three others who didn't make it. So please take in the fact when there is water, NEVER EVER ASSUME IT IS SHALLOW WATER OR PASSIVE WATER. See I live in California and the Kern River claims lives all the time, because someone always thinks the water is passive and slow and it isn't. Undertows are every where. So please be careful and keep an extra eye on the little one and big ones too!

The 820/20 bypass around the west side of Ft. Worth is real nice. Wide road, lots of lanes, the next thing you know you're going 75 mph.

The thing we have noticed is that almost always we see a heavy police presence on this bypass, often seeing speeders pulled over.

Just set that cruise control to the speed limit and let 'er go.

We saw this particular patrol car just ten minutes later, with a speeder pulled over.

If you are traveling to Fort Worth, whatever you do, avoid the exits along 287 South at all costs. The southeast side of FTW is considered the most dangerous area in the city. If you see streets on signs like 'Mictchell Blvd', 'Rosedale Ave', or 'Vaughn Blvd' never get off. There are heavy gang activity and for someone who looks like they dont fit in the picutre, trouble can brew. just avoid the exits

Before you get too excited about taking your children to the Museum of Natural History and Science in Fort Worth, make sure you check and see if it has re-opened. Although some of the exhibits are currently on loan and sitting in the National Cowgirl Museum, it may be worth it for you to wait or spend time in Fort Worth somewhere else.

According to its website, the museum should be completed in Fall 2009!

If you are around all this Western tack, sometimes the little ones want to join in the fun. After watching all the videos of the cowgirls riding their horses, Baby Anna wanted to get in the act. Her appetite was a bit larger than the mouth, and she wanted to eat the entire saddle instead of just riding on it. I believe this particular saddle was a little overdone, and tasted a bit leathery.

In most parts of the country the far left lane is for passing. Not so here! Some people seem to think if they are not going to exit for the next hundred miles they can drive in the far left lane at 40 miles an hour. If you are from the North, you probably drive going the speed limit. Nope, not in Texas. You might want to use the middle lane. That is what it is for.

Springtime in Texas provides a vast range of weather. It could be freezing, it could be hot. It could be wet, or it could be dry. Usually, there several days each year where a tornado watch or warning is up somewhere in the county. Occasionally those sirens in the neighborhood go off. That means it is time to seek the best shelter possible in the house, which is typically a bathroom. Generally, it is best to stay away from windows and outside walls and upper stories of buildings and homes. I took this photo of a low cloud that was spawning tornado activity. After taking the photo, it was time to go in the house. This particular storm did manage to cause significant roof damage in the neighborhood. Fences were down, and some trees were missing here and there. When there is severe weather in this area, it is always advisable to be near a radio and seek shelter when warned.