Next Stop: Terminal A DFW International

Today, as a strong cold front was passing overhead, but before the temperatures dropped the 40 degrees the weather boys were advertising, I boarded the Red/Orange Line at the Central/LBJ station in North Dallas and headed to the new Belt Line Station that opened December 3rd. This summer saw the orange line open from Bachman Lake to the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Now, another 4 miles of extension is added  and reaches a critical mass area.

On December 03, the North Lake Station Opened at Cottonwood. Golfers would recognize the area as the Four Seasons Resort. And...the Belt Line Station, while Westward sounds rather conservative, the actual surprise,grand trump, what ever adjective one would use, that makes this different for the largest light rail system in the whole of the United States, is  this: it's sitting on airport property at DFW International. That's inside the fence. That's different rules and regulation for building. But, it's the final leg that will end at Terminal A at DFW in December 2014 with the last extension. There are few airports in this nation that have  a direct rail link into a terminal. That means that in 2014, you will be able to deplane,get your luggage, use the airport system to transport you to terminal A from any terminal  and ride to downtown Ft. Worth,Denton,Dallas,Garland,Rowlett, and Plano, or get off in Addison or Carrollton and take a cab to those area hotels. The details will come forth, most likely as the time nears the completion date, but the point being made here is that the connections from DFW International to area cities in the metroplex will be most unique for  transportation connections. That's a big deal.

It took just over an hour each way.

The New Belt Line Station on DFW Property.Overnight parking,
750 car lot.

Belt Line Name Placard

Westward to Terminal A at DFW.Note that the tracks are laid but the overhead power lines need to be placed, but 24 months is not a long time to wait for this transportation  link.

 

A Personal Request for more Color at American

American Pilots Agree, then U.S. Air makes offer of  8B$ U.S. for American. Anyway you look at it, the polished aluminum finish will most likely change. Why? because the new fleet of planes at American will be composit and must be painted.  So buckle up. The ride is still gonna be bumpy a bit longer but your seats should stay fastened to the floor.

 Actually, a new face lift wouldn't be a bad thing with the old look being one of the oldest in the marketplace. It's tired. It needs to be upgraded. Be bright, but not white! Let's put some color on Runways 17R,17C,17L;18R,18L and 13 R and 13 L. Now that would brighten up the sky over DFW and the world over! When Brantiff first started using color, they were the talk of the industry. Southwest still gets instant notice when one of their animal planes is spotted. United had a chance with their new paint scheme but missed the mark.American, let's get on it!  Win one for DFW big time.

Car Recovered from Lake

Dallas,Thursday,December 06,2012:  Dallas Police recovered a possible stolen car from the jewel of the city's Park System, White Rock Lake early this afternoon. The car had been reported in the lake at approximately 09:30 this morning. The Dallas Fire/Police Department's diver unit was called in to assist.

On Tuesday, A body was discovered floating in the lake on the East Shore, almost directly across from where the car was found.  This is a tranquil, peaceful lake for recreation, and nature. These type-events are not new to the lake's history but they are rare and far between normally. To have two events back-to-back in such a short time makes the events unusual of and within themselves.

One of the divers from the Fire Department/Police Department Water Rescue Unit

The late model car is slowly winched toward the boat ramp to the heavy wrecker, then left for the tow truck to load  and move it out.

Images are solely owned and fully copyrighted by the owner,Dallaspaparazzo,Dallas,Texas. All Rights are Reserved under Domestic and International Copyright laws. Contact Dallaspaparazzo for licensing and licensing information.

Recovered from lake.

 

 

Cold on the Way

Fantastic fall day in Dallas today. The sun was bright, the skies were blue and the wind shift from the cold front passage was just a bit cool if you stopped walking or running or biking. But, this weekend will be the running of the Dallas Marathon. Best known in the past as "Running the Rock" or the White Rock Marathon.

 The run will draw it's usual crowd of 26,000 runners plus with the potential to grow the race even more in coming years.

These images actually come from the site of the former City of Buckingham, incorporated 1956 and annexed to the City of Richardson in 1996.

Leaves look like Tulips. Today at the Arboretum, 150,000 tulips were being planted for the spring bloom.

If you are in Texas for the first time, this will  not be the only 5-point star you will see here!

The images are just some of nature' s beauty for now. Colorful views will be coming soon.

Even the Gulls Get a Christmas Gift and A Look at This Year's Crop of Mercer Crossing Hay.

The gulls are the last of the migrating birds to arrive back at the lake. Lake docks are a favorite hang out to catch a nap, dry your feathers or show your status in the pecking order.

This summer, the city rebuilt several docks on both sides of the lake. The gulls while somewhat messy at times, have a very defined pecking order on who gets the flat head post to claim. The birds that are on the dock surface were forced to remove themselves from their position when on of their own flew in with a higher pecking order. I watched one gull be rejected from six of the ten post. Interesting order in the Animal Kingdom. Never-the-less, their return is acknowledgement that the workers didn't disturb their likes for this favorite spot when not flying.



Gulls Noted Pecking Order On Post.Lower Pecking Order on Dock.

A couple of days ago the fall crop of Mercer Crossing Hay covered the fields along LBJ 635 Westbound between 35E and 635 and the George Bush Turnpike for another year's crop. This is one of the last open space of land on the way to DFW International Airport, a few miles farther West of here. This location has always been a favorite to photograph hay bales in the fall because of the uniqueness to the past of Mercer Crossing and the number of major offices that sprinkles around the hay fields. Hagar Slacks, the favorite of President Lyndon Johnston is Headquartered less than a mile from here.

One of over 100 bales of Mercer Crossing Hay near Luna and LBJ 635 Westbound to DFW International.

Sunset on Love Field then Rise on Delhi

A late Fall sunset at Love Field on a day that tied a record set in 1950 of 83 degrees F.

A very unique shop of Asian decor . The shop is filled with very unique items of inspiration for your home from Delhi Decor. Thanks to Anil for allowing a few shots of his neat merchandise and for our Indian Visitors.

A few things handcrafted from India. The items are made from leather,wood,marble,brass and clothes such as hand stitched wall hangings,sculpture and jewelry. It's a neat shop.

Wild Animal Verdict

The official word from the lead manager at Parks and Recreation  on the "Wild Animal" sign is that up North (Plano and Frisco) there are many bob cats that have been reported being seen moving South, but he didn't think that they are inclusive to this sign. It was meant to include raccoons,skunks,opossums and copperheads but  a bob cat could wonder in from time to time.

Weekend images will be posted up by Sunday evening. 


Here's an image that I haven't posted from the last Presidential trip into Love Field, August,2011

Charleston Air Force Base Transport that flew in the Presidential Limo, Ambulance and Secret Service vehicles. These guys don't get the glory and attention  that Air Force One attracts. These are a great bunch of guys. For many years I flew into Charleston from Atlanta and could always count on that flight being full with men and women returning to base.When the Charleston direct kicked back to a one-stop at either Augusta or Savannah, we were always ahead on arrival time. The equipment was always the biggest and the best, too.