29. Places in the US that Macrine and I had Visited-Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Macrine and I have visited this historic site a couple of times when we had visitors from the Philippines when we were still residing in Maryland (1990-2002). This is a must see place for history enthusiasts and students. It is only about 75 minutes drive from our residence in Colesville, MD. The drive from Colesvilles, Maryland to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is very scenic with rural farms along the local highway.

Gettysburg Battlefield was the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Adams County, which had approximately 2,400 residents at the time. It is now the site of two Federally owned and administered areas: Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District partially overlaps and partially protects other privately held properties.

Gettysburg, home to the Battle of Gettysburg (1863) of the American Civil War, draws in large numbers of tourists every year to visit the historical sites around the small community as well as the battlefield itself. Gettysburg has many activities and tours to offer to vacationers and tourists that are interested in the Gettysburg area and the history of the community and the battle. A narrated tour via double-Decker bus and tours of the Jenny Wade house are two examples. Ghost tours are also popular with tourists, profiling various locations reported to be haunted. One of the most popular times to visit Gettysburg is in the Summer and early Fall months, about June through October.



A popular attraction in Gettysburg is the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg which is held every summer for the three days around the Fourth of July. Events include tours, ghost stories and reenactments.

The Dobbin House Tavern, which is one of the most famous restaurants in Gettysburg, was once home to Reverend Alexander Dobbin in 1776. The restaurant has since been authentically restored and provides an ambiance that was once present during the historic days of Gettysburg. The Dobbin House is lit by candles while the wait staff serves authentic foods from two centuries ago dressed in Civil War attire. Other historical attractions are the hotels and bed and breakfasts around the borough. The Gettysburg Hotel is a popular destination for tourists because of all the history that the hotel holds. The Gettysburg Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Gettysburg, within walking distance to historical sites, restaurants and shopping.



We drove around the military park and cemetery with a rented cassette from the Parks Office discussing the historical events that took place in that 3 day battle of July 1-3, 1863 during our first visit in the mid 1990's. On the second visit in 2001, we learned that the movie in the Visitor's Center( Birth of a Nation) shown prior to your tour is more informative than the audio cassette.

Note: This is No.29 of a series of articles on places that Macrine and I had visited in the US since 1960.

28. Places in the US that Macrine and I had Visited-Sugar Land, Texas

Dave and Macrine as Cowboy and Cowgirl in Sugar Land, Texas

In the summer of 2007, Macrine and I attended a Grand Reunion of Marinduque International,Inc (MI) held in Sugar Land, Texas. We flew to the Houston International Airport and was picked up by a member of MASTEG, and delivered to our hotel.

During the day, we had meetings discussing preparation for our next medical mission to Marinduque (www.marinduqueinternational.org), but in the evening we were free to see the sights of the surrounding area. We did not see much of Houston and did not feel like getting out of our hotel, because it was so hot and humid outside just like the Philippines in the months of April and May. Some of our members went to San Antonio for a day tour. But since I had been to San Antonio, we did not joined the tour. We did have a night tour of Houston at night similar to the video below.




Sugar Land is a city located in Fort Bend County in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a 46.24% job growth. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the city's population was 79,943, with a median family income of $110,327 and a median home price of $272,151.

Founded as a sugar plantation in the mid-19th century and incorporated in 1959, Sugar Land is the largest city and economic center of Fort Bend County.

The city is the third-largest in population and second-largest in economic activities of the Houston area.

Sugar Land is home to the headquarters of Imperial Sugar and the company's main sugar refinery and distribution center was once located in this city. As a nod to this heritage, the Imperial Sugar crown logo can be seen in the city seal and logo. The city also holds the headquarters for Western Airways and a major manufacturing facility for Nalco Chemical Company. In addition, Sugar Land has a large number of international energy, software, engineering, and product firms.



The Town Center

Sugar Land has the most master-planned communities in Fort Bend County, which is home to the largest number of master-planned communities in the nation—including First Colony, Sugar Creek, Riverstone, New Territory, Telfair, and many others.

Sugar Land holds the title of "Fittest City in Texas" for the population 50,000–100,000 range, a title it has held for four consecutive years.

In 2006 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Sugar Land third on its list of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States.



In 2007, CQ Press has ranked Sugar Land fifth on its list of Safest Cities in the United States (14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan American").

In 2008, Forbes.com selected Sugar Land along with Bunker Hill Village and Hunters Creek Village as one of the three Houston-area "Top Suburbs To Live Well", noting its affluence despite its large population.

Note: This is No. 28( Part 1) of a series of articles on places that Macrine and I had visited in the US since 1960.

College Memories-UP Diliman, 1953-1957

Typical and Classic photo of a Monthly Social Dance, UP, Diliman. Can you guess the names of the couple dancing?

Excerpts from the Narra Hall Residence Hall, UP Diliman Face Book Page:

IN RESPONSE to the query of Ricky Sasil and others regarding the activities in the mid 1950's, I searched in my souvenir files today. Here's some of the activities I have attended besides the monthly socials from the souvenir programs in my files
1. A Song Recital of Helen Traubel, world-famous soprano, sponsored by the Conservatory of Music and the President's Committee on Culture, January 16, 1953
2. A Garden Party in honor of the visiting members of the International Olympic Committee and the Heads and members of the Delegation to the second Asian Games, Kawilihan, Mandaluyong, Rizal, May 9, 1954
3. Lecture Forum, The Intellectual and his Faith, sponsored by the Iota Eta Sigma and conducted by Rev Horacio de la Costa, S.J., July 24, 1953
4. A song recital of Aurelio Estanislao, baritone with the UP Symphony Orchestra, conductor, Ramon Tapales and Accompanist Regalado Jose, January 12, 1955
5. A dramatic presentation by the UPSCA Dramatic Guild, The Woman of the House. directed by Alejandro Casambre. Some of the actors were
Isabel Seviila, Letty Tison, Violeta Mariano and Rudy Aluyen, Feb 22, 1955. Other names associated with this play were Basilisa Manhit, Dionisia Rola, Conception Dadufalza, Angelina Villanueva and Ma Luisa Lorenzo,
I have attended several other plays and dances, but the above 5 I will always remember. Again may 2016 bring you Prosperity and Peace!

Comments:3
Pablo Benedictos and 2 others
Oscar Llorente Evangelista Thanks for sharing David

Ricky Sasil The UPSCA batch 1950s, contemporaries, ahead or behind you, David and Oscar are always present during annual reunion to celebrate the founding of UPSCA.
South Dorm Officers, 1954, The south dorm was my home away from home from 1953 to 1957.

Everything in the dorm was new. The rooms were shared by 4. You have space for a study table and a small closet. The bathroom is shared and I am happy with all the facilities since it were all new. As far as activities, we have the Monthly Socials . The dorm itself is quiet except during the annual open house, when every one is welcome/ The picture with Mercy Lopez posted by Emmanuel Umali from my autobiography was taken during an Open House.


As an UPSCAN I was busy with choir and other activities. My Life in UP at that time besides Chemistry was my involvement with UPSCA, Fr John Delaney and the construction of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Chapel. Chapter 4 of my autobiography discussed in detail my college experience from 1951 to 1955 as a student and from 1955 to 1959 as Instructor in Chemistry known then as the College of Liberal Arts.
UPSCA choir, 1954

27. Places in the US that Macrine and I had Visited-The Hawaiian Islamds

Macrine and I at the Maui Ocean Center and Aquaruim

Macrine and I had visited four out of the seven inhabited islands in the Hawaiian Chain of Islands. This was made possible through our International Interval(II) Vacation Exchange Program. We stayed for one week each in the Big Island, Maui, and Kaua'i and one day in O'ahu. We have stopped at the Honolulu Airport a number of times as a connecting airport during our annual trip to the Philippines from the US. We loved Hawaii, since it reminds us of Marinduque, Philippines.

Our first trip was in the summer 1979 where we stayed at Kona Village Resort, Kaupulehu, Kona, the Big Island for one week. This resort was nestled on the fabulous secluded Kona Coast away from the big crowds. This was my treat to Macrine for passing her Nursing Board Exam to practice nursing in the State of California. The second one was our one week stay in Maui through our exchange Program via II in the mid 1998. Our third visit was one week stay in Kauai in September 2003 also via II. We stayed at Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville. Our two bedroom suite has the view of the Bali Hai Mountain made famous by the broadway musical, South Pacific. In this vacation, we were joined by Ditas and Nick and their baby, Carenna, only about five months old.

The latest Hawaiian visit we had was in Honolulu, O'ahu just last year just for one day on our way to the Philippines.


The eight main Hawaiian islands (also known as the Hawaiian Windward Islands) are listed here from east to west. All except Kahoʻolawe are inhabited

1.Hawaiʻi often times called as The Big Island

2. Maui also known as The Valley Isle

3. Kahoʻolawe also known as The Target Isle( not inhabited)

4. Lānaʻi also known as The Pineapple Isle because of the pineapple plantations

5. Molokaʻi also called The Friendly Isle

6. Oʻahu also called The Gathering Place where Honolulu is located

7. Kauaʻi is also called The Garden Isle

8. Niʻihau known also as The Forbidden Isle


Photo of Fish from the Maui Aquaruim and Marine Center

Hawaii is tropical but it experiences many different climates, depending on altitude and weather. The islands receive most rainfall from the trade winds on their north and east flanks (the windward side) as a result of orthographic precipitation. Coastal areas in general and especially the south and west flanks or leeward sides, tend to be drier.

In general, the Hawaiian Islands receive most of their precipitation during the winter months (October to April). Drier conditions generally prevail from May to September, but the warmer temperatures increase the risk of hurricanes.

Rainbow as viewed from our 6th floor Condo in Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

Temperatures at sea level generally range from highs of 85-90 °F (29-32 °C) during the summer months to 79-83 °F (26-28 °C) during the winter months. Rarely does the temperature rise above 90 °F (32 °C) or drop below 60 °F (16 °C) at lower elevations. Temperatures are lower at higher altitudes; in fact, the three highest mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala often receive snowfall during the winter.


Here's a video of the sights and sounds of this Tropical Paradise

One distinctive feature of Hawaii’s climate is the small annual variation in temperature range. This is because there is only a slight variation in length of night and day from one part of Hawaii to another because all its islands lie within a narrow latitude band. The small variations in the length of the daylight period, together with the smaller annual variations in the altitude of the sun above the horizon, result in relatively small variations in the amount of incoming solar energy from one time of the year to another. The surface waters of the open ocean around Hawaii range from 77 °F (25 °C) between late February and early April, to a maximum of 83 °F (28 °C) in late September or early October. With water temperatures this mild for hundreds of miles around, the air that reaches Hawaii is neither very hot nor very cold. Temperatures of 90 °F (32 °C) and above are quite uncommon (with the exception of dry, leeward areas). In the leeward areas, temperatures may reach into the low 90’s several days during the year, but temperatures higher than these are unusual.
The other reason for the small variation in air temperature is the nearly constant flow of fresh ocean air across the islands. Just as the temperature of the ocean surface varies comparatively little from season to season, so also does the temperature of air that has moved great distances across the ocean; the air brings with it to the land the mild temperature regime characteristic of the surrounding ocean. In the central North Pacific, the trade winds represent the outflow of air from the great region of high pressure, the North Pacific High, typically located well north and east of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Pacific High, and with it the trade-wind zone, moves north and south with changing angle of the sun, so that it reaches its northernmost position in the summer. This brings trade winds during the period of May through September, when they are prevalent 80 to 95 percent of the time. From October through April, the heart of the trade winds moves south of Hawaii; however, the winds still blow much of the time. They provide a system of natural year-long ventilation throughout the islands and bring mild temperatures characteristic of air that has moved great distances across tropical waters.

Note: This is No.27 (Part 1) of a series of articles on places that Macrine and I had visited in the US since 1960.

Photo Memories of My High School Years in the Philippines-1947 to 1951

My High School Graduation- Barotac Viejo, Iloilo-1951 I am in the front row Second from the Right

My sophomore year-one of my most hated subject-Vocational wood working class. I am in the front row squatting second from the Right.

National High School Conference for Visayas and Mindanao, Iloilo City, 1949

Delegates to the National High School Conference. I am in the front row knelling second from the Right

Here's a repost of an article about my hometown, I wrote 5 years ago:

Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines National High School. Me and My sister (Amor) in front of the Sign at the entrance of the school showing our mother's land Donation to the School

If you have not heard of this place, I do not blame you. It is a 4th class municipality about 60Km North of Iloilo City, Iloilo. Iloilo is one of the four provinces in Panay Island. Panay Island is part of the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. The Visayas Region is the Central Part of the Philippine Archipelago. You may ask me why I am writing about Barotac Viejo, Iloilo (BVI) . Let me explained.

BVI is the town where I grew up. It is the town where I finished my elementary school years. It is also the town where I finished high school. In 1951 I graduated valedictorian of my high school class. It is the town where I have both pleasant and unpleasant memories of my childhood and teenaged years.

My childhood memories of the American-Japanese war occurred in the town proper, foothills and jungles of this town. ( http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com). My memories of my elementary and high school years as discussed in my autobiography , http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com , (Chapter 2 and 3) also occurred in this town.

When I left BVI in 1951 to pursue my college degree in Iloilo City and later in Diliman, Quezon City, BVI was a 4th class town with less than 5000 residents. Today, Wikipedia states that is still a 4th class municipality, but with around 39,000 residents. When I left BVI in 1955, there was the elementary and high schools, public market, Cockfighting Arena, the Catholic Church, the Post office and one gas station, a couple of hardware stores, a Chinese bakery and may be 100 residential homes in the town proper. Today it is still a 4th class town with more buildings both for business and private homes. The local high school was named to be a national agricultural high school. Part of the land for the school was donated by my uncle ( Jose Balleza) and my mother Paz Balleza ( see photo above). There is a beach resort ( Balaring Beach) about 5 Km from the town proper.

When I left the town in 1955, the mayor of the town was Luis Tupas, a relative of my mother. Today the local politics, are still controlled by the Tupas family and their clan. When I left the town, my parents bestowed me a 12 hectare parcel of rice land as part of my inheritance,as discussed in my blog ttp://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com.

Today that land has been land reformed and I have not received a single centavo from the Philippine government. What was left of my inheritance is a 2-hectare parcel in the upland area without water irrigation and almost useless for crop growing.

So after all this years, almost 57 years, the town has not really changed. I found a Facebook Page about the town last year. Searching in Google, there is not much information about BVI. If you click on the Image Section, two of my pictures are in the first page.

In 2005, my wife and I accompanied by my sister visited our parents grave in the cemetery of BVI.Me and my wife and sister Amor at the Cemetery.

Our old house (located at the back of the Post Office) was gone. The only thing that remained was the foundation stone with the engraving Dolce Building, 1952.

Tears from my eyes flowed like a gentle rain, when I saw that foundation, recalling the pleasant memories of my teen-age years. The house is gone but my memories of BVI will live forever. I wish for a better future for BVI and its residents. If you know of someone from Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, I will appreciate your comments.

I found this video which is supposed to be the municipal Hymn. The words are in Ilonggo. If you want and English translation, let me know.

Memories of My UP Diliman College Years and -Fr John Delaney Quotes

University of the Philippines Student Catholic Action Members with Fr John, President of UP Vidal Tan and Professor of Music Antonio Molina, Conductor of the UPSCA Choir, 1952-1955

Here's some memorable and inspiring quotes of Fr John- From Prof. Oscar Llorente Evangelista’s “Some Historical Notes on Father John. P. Delaney, S.J.”

On the meaning of the Mass — “To Father Delaney, to know the Mass is to live the Mass, and to live the Mass is to accept religion as God’s way of life. If this is so, religion is not something confined to a little compartment of life, not a sacristy affair. There can be no room or what he called ‘incomplete Catholics’.”

Prof. Evangelista explained that Catholicism, in Fr. Delaney’s words, must be ”intellectually secure, solidly grounded on reason and history”, a Catholicism that must be “complete, all embracing, penetrating every department of their living”, and finally a Catholicism that “must be sacrificial, centered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, flowing outward from the Holy Sacrifice,” to the end that “their own lives may be lives of sacrificial service to fellowmen, to country and to God.”

Prof. Evangelista also elaborated: “Appealing to students was his presentation of religion as an active, vibrant, down-to-earth religion for men and women. He was a dynamic speaker, humorous, entertaining, master showman, yet what sank in deeply was the point he was trying to put across. He was light-hearted in his approach to sensitive issues yet there was an intellectual grounding for his argument.”

On U.P. education – “Father Delaney considered religious growth as part of UP education. He challenged the entering freshman to also plan his religious growth as part of his university development, arguing that a UP education was incomplete without religious growth unless the student preferred “to be University scholar and a religious moron at the same time.”

“In orienting the freshmen, he emphasized three main points : UP was a non-sectarian university respecting the free choice of religion…; non-sectarianism did not mean anti-religiousness or indifference to religion; the UP community was a deeply religious community.”

On campus politics – “There was no doubt that to his detractors, Father Delaney was a meddler in UP affairs, if not a Charlatan. But he had won over a very supportive community who practiced the precepts that he had preached by words and deeds. It was this thought and his own conviction that he was doing the right thing that might explain the following statement that he gave on June 27, 1954, and again on August 1, 1955 in defense against the accusation that he was a ‘meddler’.”

“….Does Father Delaney meddle? Definitely yes! Since 1946 I have meddled and meddled intimately in UPSCA and the lives of the UPSCAns. Since 1949 I have meddled and intimately meddle in the life of the Community and its Families. I begin my meddling at about 4:30 every morning, and I continue to meddle, frequently until midnight; not because I have any innate aversion to early retiring, but because you keep bringing your lives to me for my meddling…I shall continue to meddle as long as you and I are one in the intimate oneness of priest and people – as we have been, happily been, since first our pathways crossed in this beautiful experiment in community living which is our Diliman. I know not what in Manila or in Davao or in Baguio or in any other corner of the country the color of my skin and the place of my origin would make of me, but not here, not in Diliman, surely, not in Diliman am I “foreigner.” If I were, then I would have to ask in honest bewilderment – how much more of himself must a man give before he can become one of you? God loves you.”

UPSCA General Meeting, 1954
I am in the front row kneeling/squatting, 3rd from the Right. Next to me is Johnny Gregorio, my college best friend that I am still trying to reconnect. If you know of Johnny's whereabouts, please let me know via FB or in this blog.

In his book, Prof. Oscar Llorente Evangelista also cited the set of rules promulgated by Fr. Delaney which was circulated by "Chapel Chismis" in 1953, as follows:

1. Select your course wisely.

2. Attend your classes intelligently.

3. Study conscientiously and systematically.

4. Try to get interested in your own subject so that you’ll be studying to learn, not just to get grades

5. Try particularly to develop an enthusiastic interest in at least one of your subjects

6. Elevate your taste in Art, Music, in reading.

7. Choose your companions with great care.

8.Recreate simply, inexpensively, wholesomely.

9. Budget your money carefully.

10. Don’t borrow.

11. Lay off the hard liquor.

12. Don’t waste your time and money in Manila.

13. Don’t go steady, fall in love, or get engaged too early.

14. Play the field for a few years and save yourself a lot of heartaches.

15. And finally, be faithful to frequent confessions, Mass and Communion.

Stay close to the chapel.

Make a friend of the Chaplain.”

The other famous quotes by Fr John is Dirty Hands.

My Participation with UNDP-TOKTEN Program in the Philippines, 1986

Three weeks ago,I joined a FaceBook group whose members are University of the Philippines Alumni who were former residents of the Men's South Dorm in Diliman, Q.C. The dormitory is now known as the Narra Residence Hall. Thousands of alumni- known and unknown in Philippine political and social life had memories of their college life in the Dorm. I was one of the first residents of the dorm and had resided there from 1953 to early 1957. I was asked by several former residents, what have I contributed to my Alma Mater (UP) since graduation in Chemistry in the mid 1950's. This article is my response to the query from some members of the above FB group. .

I participated with the TOKTEN ( Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals) United Nations Development Program( UNDP) in 1986 in the Philippines. My host was the University of the Philippines, Natural Science Research and Services Department, in Diliman, Quezon City. I volunteered for the short term program of 4 weeks during my summer vacation. It was a good experience and I was proud that at least I have contributed to ease the so called "brain-drain" phenomenon of the mid 1980's in the Philippines. The next year my contract was renewed but I did not have the time to get away from my private employment

Today, the program is known as the Balik Scientist program sponsored by DOST. So what is TOKTEN? Read on...

Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN). I am # 15 in the List above. My subject of Expertise was Pesticide Residues.

The TOKTEN concept is a global UNDP mechanism for tapping on expatriate nationals, who had migrated to other countries and achieved professional success abroad, and mobilizing them to undertake short-term consultancies in their countries of origin, under UN aegis.

The TOKTEN approach is regarded as an added dimension of technical cooperation, which contributes to reducing the adverse effects of the "brain-drain", with several advantages as such as the shared language and traditions, relatively low cost and speed of implementation.

The TOKTEN program is based on a spirit of volunteerism, which means that TOKTEN volunteers are not paid direct salaries but are entitled to round trip air ticket and a daily subsistence allowance (DSA).

The highlights of this consultancy was the welcome lunch by the President of the University. At that time it was Ed Angara. The lunch was held on his residence in the Diliman campus. A big surprise during the lunch was when the Executive Secretary of to President was introduce to me. His name was Martin Gregorio. The last time I was with Martin was in 1951 during my weekend visit with his family in their residence in Manduriao, Iloilo. His older brother, Johnny Gregorio was my best friend in college at UPIC. At that time Martin I believe was only in his preteens. He used to follow me and Johnny and wants to join us in what we are doing. Johnny would sent him away and admonish him not to disturb us.

Today I learn that Martin has two adult children, Cecile(Ascalon) and Ryan. Ryan is a well-known PBA player and coach adored by millions of Filipinos. Lastly, I am still searching for Johnny. I heard that he has settled in Victorias, Negros Occidental. If you know anything about Johnny, I will appreciate hearing from you via this blog or in my FaceBook page. Johnny has an older brother, Dominador, an accountant and a UP graduate also.

Just recently I heard that Prof. Martin Gregorio had retired. His last post was the Vice President for Administration and Secretary of the UP and Board of Regents.

Photo Memories of My College Years in UPIC-1951 to 1953

I attended the University of the Philippines, Iloilo College (UPIC) with free tuition benefits after graduating as Valedictorian from my home town high school in Barotac Viejo. Iloilo. I maintained this free tuition benefits by being a college scholar in my first year then attained the University sholarship in my second year. I was also the recipient of the Fernando Lopez scholarship in 1952-1953. I was taking Pre-Med courses, but when I transferred to UP Diliman the next school year I changed my major to Chemistry. The following photos are worth more than a thousand words. UPIC is now called University of the Philippines in the Visayas and located in Miagao from Iloilo City.

I was President of the UPSCA, Iloilo Chapter. The photo are members of UPSCA with Dean Nolasco and Inez Belleza( math professor). Do you recognize any face?

Members of the Spanish Club-Circulo Cervantino, 1952 with Ted Gensola as Adviser.

I was a priest in a tableau presented by UPSCA depicting the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines and conversion of the Natives to Catholicism.

Officers of UPSCA and Guests from the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo during the Tableau Program. I am in the front row first from the left.

UPSCA Picnic, Bacolod City, 1953

Fellow UPSCANs and ME, 1953

UPIC Picnic

26. Places in the US that I had Visited-Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas

One of the perks and benefits working for FDA is attending an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. In the mid 1990's, I attended one in Forth Worth-Dallas, Texas. This is a part of our continuing education program for chemist reviewers and team leaders. Again, Macrine was not able to join me. I stayed at a Hotel in the Cow Palace Stock Yard in Forth Worth. I did not have a lot of free time to tour the area except for a short visit to The Six Flags for half a day, Mckinney trolley and just drove around the downtown area. Below is a video, a must see if you have never been to Dallas-Forth Worth area.

Why Visit Fort Worth Texas

Dallas is the second largest city in Texas. Together, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex offers visitors a variety of attractions and activities that simply can't be found elsewhere. From world-class zoos and museums to Texas-sized honky-tonks, the DFW area has it all. The top ten attractions recommended for tourists and visitors in the area are as follows: 1. Six Flags-Open year around, Six Flags Over Texas has been on forefront of them park entertainment for decades and offers rides, shows, and more to Dallas area visitors. 2. Texas Stadium-Home to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Stadium also hosts a variety of other sporting and entertainment events. However, even when there isn't an event, visitors flock to Texas Stadium for tours. 3. Dallas Zoo-Visit animals from around the world in award winning natural habitats at the Dallas Zoo. During the summer months, visitors can even ride a monorail around the zoo grounds. 4. Dallas Arboretum-Located on White Rock Lake, just outside of downtown Dallas, the Arboretum features colorful gardens all year long. Tours are available daily. The Arboretum is also available for weddings and other private functions. 5. Medieval Times-An 11th-century style castle with a fish-filled moat is just the setting for the unique experience of an evening spent at Medieval Times. 6. McKinney Trolley-Dallas' McKinny Trolley is a historical trolley system, which recreates how a real trolley system of the early to mid-20th century looked and operated. 7. Billy Bob's-With close to 3 acres under one roof, Billy Bob's is certainly "Texas size." The massive nightclub is host to top country music acts, professional bullriding, and plenty of dancing. 8. Sixth Floor Museum-This museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating information on John F. Kennedy's life, career, assassination and death. Located on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building - the very spot the sniper's gun was found - the Sixth Floor Museum let's you gain a feel for how things happened in 1963. 9. National Cowgirl Hall of Fame-A one of a kind museum, Fort Worth's National Cowgirl Hall of Fame features exhibits and memorabilia honoring the 'gals of the west. 10. Ft. Worth Zoo-Visitors to the Ft. Worth Zoo will be transfixed by its wonderful exhibits, ranging from Raptor Canyon to Koala Outback, and attractions such as Tasmanian Tower and their virtual safari. Note: This is No. 26 of a series of articles on places that I had visited in the US since 1960.