A short midterm excursion

With a midterm coming up it was time to hit the road and clear my mind. Maybelline and I ventured west. The first stop was a brief encounter in Decatur, a half hour west of Denton. After a U-turn on Business US 380 I found a Sinclair station a few blocks down the road.

It was built during the 1930's. Recently the owner purchased the place and his wife decided to make it an antique store. Being inside of a filling station is always a treat.

It was time to hit the road and after swerving around the corner I found the Whistle Stop Café.

Unfortunately they are open Monday to Friday, but I did find a few gems right around the corner, including the Petrified Wood (Texaco) Station.

Right next to it was a tourist court from 1927! http://www.wisehistory.com/petrified_wood_station.html

At which point, I began to head back before turning right and finding the home to one of the biggest ranchers in Texas, the Waggoner Family.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fwa08

The day was just beginning as I took a short trip to the square where I found the Wise County Courthouse.

It was time to head out west. I began by getting onto US 380 before making a left onto Farm Road 1156. A few miles later I reached the town of Joplin where I made my first video (not MTV worthy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHbMnHqhb9U&feature=youtube_gdata_player


At which point, I proceeded to stop for lunch in Jacksboro at

where I enjoyed a double burger, a 16 oz. chocolate malt that went down like butter and conversation with a young lady.

After explaining I was a travel freelance writer and grad student she asked, "What are your favorite towns?" After rounding off a few, which I will not mention because I enjoy all the places I travel to, she retorted, "I love it up here. I need mountains and trees." Minutes later it was time to head back to Denton to relax and continue preparing for the midterm. Spring break is coming :)