Laura Heymann - Explorers Guide Dallas & Fort Worth: A Great Destination

H ISTORY
Cities in Opposition

T RANSPORTATION
Here, There, and Everywhere

L ODGING
Not Quite Home, But Better Than Being a Houseguest

C ULTURE
The Spirit of a Community

R ESTAURANTS , F OOD P URVEYORS, AND N IGHTLIFE
Enjoying Our Place at the Top of the Food Chain

S PORTS
Hometown Heroes

R ECREATION
If Its Not Fun, Youre Not Doing It Right

S HOPPING
From Unique to Chic

I NFORMATION
Know Before You Go

We both know and love DallasFort Worth, but the Metroplex is so large and complex that we would not have been able to research and visit the area or write this book without the help and support of many people. First, our gratitude goes to every person and organization that endured our interviews, entertained our requests, and graciously offered photos and information so that our efforts would be made that much easier.

A special thank-you goes to Kim Grant, our editor at The Countryman Press, whose patience with us, even during our suggested check-in dates, was undeservedly unwavering. Our gratitude to Kermit Hummel at Countryman, as well, who never doubted our abilities. Thanks to both of you, we were able to transform our far-fetched wish of writing a book into a reality. It is our hope that this book will make you proud.

LH & MP

Thank you to my husband, Mikeyou are my favorite , and I truly appreciate all you do for our familyyou are a wonderful husband and father. To my kiddos, Victoria and Elias, I love you both bunches and thank you for always keeping me on my toes. I am so proud that of all the kids in the world, I have you. To my parents, David and Toni, thank you for always being supportive of my hair-brained projects, whether its moving to Las Vegas, adopting a child, starting a business, or writing a bookyall are awesome. To my friends, thank you for providing comic relief, always checking in with me, and offering fun suggestions for book breaks. Monica, thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to work on this with you! And thank you for your hospitality in providing the perfect quiet place to write, since my house is a tornado of activity. Greg, you rock! Big shout-outs to the iPhone and Facebookwithout them, I would have never gotten finished.

But in all seriousness, having grown up in DFW, I had been to many of the places mentioned in this book, but not in the last 20 years or so. In revisiting them with my family for the purposes of writing this book, I got to really see DFW again, through their eyes. And it was beautiful. I hope everyone who reads this book has a wonderful time here in my hometownsee you around!

xo, Laura

My gratitude extends to so many people who helped me with this book, directly and indirectly. Thank you to my colleagues and students (past and present) at Carter-Riverside High School who generously gave their recommendations and gave this book a jump start. Particular thanks goes to my adopted family in the English department, as well as Kristy, Raul, and Maria, and others too numerous to mention, who constantly checked on my sanity and reminded me to occasionally resurface for a gulp of fresh air. To my baby sister Taylor, who can accomplish anything, and to my dad, who always had faith in me. My gratitude goes to Bonnie and Crystal for their unrelenting friendship and for planting the idea of this book into my head. Thanks to Al, Irene, Susan, and Randy for their love. A nod also goes to my friends and professors at UTA who also offered suggestions and support. Of course, I would be remiss to not thank my dear friend and coauthor Laura and her hubby Mike, whose generosity and hospitality enabled me and my husband to come to Texas in the first place. And of course, my gratitude goes to the keeper of my heart and soul, Greg. You took on the world month after month and never complained, even when you should have, so I could be unencumbered when writing this book. I adore you for all that you are, and I couldnt possibly express how grateful I am for your unwavering love and support of me and this project. I hope I get to return the favor someday. I love you, Greg.

MP

Im what you would call an accidental Texan. It was never my aspiration to move here, but I fell into it by lifes circumstances. Oh, sure, Id visited a couple of times and enjoyed myself, but to live in Texas? I would have never guessed it.

I had been laid off (again) as an editor/writer, this time from a job I actually liked. (Sigh) My husband and I had been trying to leave Las Vegas, our hometown, for years, and I was convinced now more than ever that someone was trying to tell me something with all of the personal and professional roadblocks I had been encountering. I needed to make a life change, but I didnt know how or to what end.

My friend and former coworker Laura, who had moved back to her home state of Texas, told me how wonderful it was to be home and that I should consider moving there, too. I sent out a couple of rsums, some to places in Texas and others elsewhere, and the next day I received a call from some folks in Texas. I was on a plane and flying to an interview within a few days.

My husband, Greg, and I moved to Texas shortly thereafter, and it was the best thing for us. I have been at the same job for nearly five yearsa surprise to anyone who had ever known me in my Las Vegas days. I bought a house, something I could have never done back home. I have friends, adopted family, and even adopted children. I started a doctorate program at UTA, and my husband also went back to school to finish his degree. Texas has been good to us.

Texas represents a fresh start along a once-staid path. Who would have thought that moving three states eastward meant moving three steps forward? I love my new home, and Im glad Im here. Im proud to be a Texan, and I feel fortunate.

MP

I grew up in the suburbs of DFWactually, I lived in the same house from the time I was brought home from the hospital until I left for college at 17 (I know, what a freak, right?). Off to a big-shot school to be a big-shot journalism major, I swore I would move to New York City or Chicago upon graduation and scoffed at the idea of ever gracing DFW with my presence againI never wanted to be married, have kids, or be rooted anywhere (my extended family still likes to harass me about my longtime aversion to white picket fences).