Deep Ellum experience

Instead of heading north into Oklahoma or veering west of Denton, I decided to hit the urban landscape. In particular, Deep Ellum just outside downtown Dallas. The morning began with a trip to Diesel Fitness in Denton and after an hour of working out, the spirit awoke and the truck ventured down I-35 East into one of the biggest cities in the United States.

After getting off 35 and heading east along Commerce for a couple of miles, I took a left. Immediately, I parked the truck in the right hand lane after turning onto Good Latimer Expressway. Fortunately, traffic was light and no by-standers were scared out of their wits,  so I could get my first taste of signgeekness for the day without feeling guilty.

 

After turning on Main Street and parking, I began walking around and found a few gems along the way.

 

(The Texas & Pacific mural excited me the most because of previous trips along the railway and the fact it ran through Denton)

As I walked up and down , left and right, I did find a couple of other hidden gems including the former Continental Gin Company, which is hidden beneath developing lofts, faded railroad tracks and tree leaves.

 

 

At which point, it was time to head back and look at some of the items along Commerce Street. After heading west on Commerce, which was part of the Bankhead Highway that came through Dallas on its long way to San Diego many years ago, I stopped to admire a sandwich shop sign.

 

I asked about the history of the building and a gentleman in Ray Charlesque glasses and a beard reminiscent of Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck knew very little about it, though he informed me of some of the specials, " You should try the Shaked Ribeye Steak sandwich, though there is not a bad thing on the menu...which I helped create." In front of him was a gentleman who appeared to be a shorter and greyer mix of Jerry Garcia and Gandalf (Ian McKellen from Lord of the Rings).

After taking out a worn deck of cards,  the store owner walked back inside as the older gentleman walked up to me and said, "Pick a card, any card." Curiosity killed this cat, so I picked up a 5 of clubs, put it back in the deck, then he began attempting to decipher the card I selected. "Is this it? (queen of hearts) Nope. "How about now? (king of diamonds)" Nope. After three more cards, he instructed me to make a fist. During which he loosened the grip as he took out a few cards. As my eyes leered towards traffic, he dropped a few cards on the concrete sidewalk. After picking up the cards for him, he flipped one over. "Is this it?" Yes, the five of clubs. How did he do it?

"What do you call a deer without an eye?" he replied. "I have no 'id eer."
"What do you call a deer without balls and an eye?" "No fuckin idea."

After giving him some lute after he politely requested a tip for his neat performance, I reached,

 

One of the interesting tidbits of the Twisted Root Burger Co. is how they call customers to pick up their food. Instead of using a number or going by the customer's last name, they designate the patron with a piece of paper from a famous performer or entertainer. Once "Steely Dan" was called, I picked up the chipotle flavored beef burger with French fries and a soda pop and sat down to watch college football.

The belly was full and it was time to do a little more before heading back to Denton. One of the major finds was the Boyd Hotel.