So this marks the beginning of the last week I will be in the U.S. for the next 4 1/2 months.  Right now I am down spending some quality time with my Dad in Allen, TX.  Allen is about 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas; however, because the area is part of the “metroplex” – population 5-6 million – I feel like I am in a major city rather than a town.   Today’s high was 104 F…perfect weather for a midday 3 mile run!   While I can’t picture myself living in Texas full-time, I have found that the Dallas area has a lot to offer…a zoo and 17 sheets of ice amongst all other things…so I have been staying busy. 

Sunday I visited the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealy Plaza and took a tour of the Texas School Book Depository – the building from which Lee Harvey Oswald “supposedly” shot President John F. Kennedy.  The museum was well worth the gas $ and ticket price!  Plus, there was an interesting and free side attraction…watching people dodge and delay midday downtown traffic in order to be photographed giving the thumbs up smile while standing on one of the two white X’s marking the exact location of each bullet’s contact with Kennedy .   Only in Texas…

I think I might try packing for Australia tomorrow, but it is me, so packing probably won’t commence until the day I leave…