Spontaneous Adventures: More of Fort Worth, Texas

I can't go to Fort worth anymore without looking around. I think when I went into that Purina Building I caught the bug. So, after I left the Zoo, I went exploring downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
First I stopped at the vacant 8 story Texas & Pacific Warehouse building looking for a way to get inside.

I did some research on this building after I came here before. I read that the way inside is through a jagged opening in the back. I suppose if I had waited long enough, I could see where the transients gain entry.

I had also read that there's been 6 feet of water in the basement for years. There is definitely water in there

As I walked towards the front I did discover a possible way to the roof. For some reason which I have no idea why. There is what looks like 1 foot diameter holes bored all the way up the side. I think these could easily be used for scaling up to the roof. Not that I would try it. Just saying

I also read a tree is growing on the roof. So, I walked across the street and looked up but didn't see it.

A lot of people come here to take family photos. Using the front of the old building as a background.

The building was built in 1931 along with the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal. Both buildings have similar detailed brickwork. The post office takes up the space between the two Texas & Pacific buildings. Both buildings were vacated in the 60's when I-30 was built The new interstate highway cut off that part of downtown from the rest. The buildings sat vacant for over 30 years. Around ten ten years ago I-30 was rebuilt so that these buildings on the south side rejoined Downtown Fort Worth again.
The Texas & Pacific Railway passenger station was restored in 2001 and is being used to board the Trinity Rail Express train to Dallas. The upper floors of the passenger station were renovated and now are condominiums. The warehouse building may also become condos someday.

I decided I wasn't going into this building alone. So, I hopped in ol' Casper and drove down the street thinking back about what it was like back in the 30's when Bonnie and Clyde were on the loose and gas was a nickle per gallon.
My next mission was to find the Water Gardens ...

...until I saw this tall sculpture at a city park.

Then I decided to walk around Downtown to look for the Water Gardens. It was sunny Sunday afternoon about 4:30pm, with hardly any traffic at all. En route I would snap some shots of the Art Deco Architecture that Downtown Fort Worth is known for.

I'm not sure about names of these buildings.

I was just trying to capture the art deco.

Then I saw some old churches with historical Markers at them

I had got tired of walking and couldn't remember exactly where I parked but was headed the right direction and found it easily. I love getting lost. The good thing is, I always find my way back. I drove off again thinking about the the past. As I drove around looking for the Water Gardens, I got a shot of the century old Courthouse.

I 'm not afraid to ask for help and since i"ve looked and looked and looked again but was unable to find the Water Gardens it was time to get some help. Lucky for me there was a bellboy standing outside enjoying the beautiful weather, in front of the Hilton Hotel. I stopped and asked. He didn't know for sure but he said go that way, I think it's on Commerce. I followed his recommendation and BINGO! He pointed me in the right direction. I was there in no time at all. I should have tipped him. But didn't think about it until I got there. Instead, after I parked I went to the nearest fountain. I closed my eyes, wiggled my ears and flipped a coin behind my left shoulder, while making a wish for him to become a millionaire.

Since it was late afternoon on Sunday there was plenty of free parking. I haven't been here in 20 years. The last time was when my brother Jim was here visiting. He loved the Water Gardens. I love it too. So do the homeless folks. I'm not sure why I don't come up to The Water Gardens more often. Its pretty cool This is another nice place where people gather for great family photos. I took a bunch of pics here. Too many to show. I think you'll like the ones I have displayed.

The photo below is the highest part of The Water Gardens. It's named Mountain

I asked a guy walking up if he would take a photo of me standing a few feet down into The Active Pool.

The Active Pool is where a little girl drowned after falling in and so did three people trying to save her.

The Quiet Water Pool is pretty cool too. Surrounded by Cypress Trees and four walls with cascading water

The Aerating Pool looked peaceful as well.

You would think that would be enough of Fort Worth for a day but "au contraire mon fraire "
There is much more of Fort Worth to explore. As, I was driving away from The Water Gardens , I was noticing a train going east, parallel to I-30. It got me to thinking about the train going south by the Purina building. I wondered if at some point do they cross. So, I followed the train until i came to some tracks above an underpass on Vickery Road. Some of the best photos I've taken have been of trains. I thought I as well get a few more shots of trains. I parked nearby, grabbed my camera, locked up my vehicle and proceeded to follow the tracks north towards I-30. What I eventually found was a small three story building with an american flag flying nearby and two sets of tracks intersecting next to it. This photo also shows the I-30 and I-35 junction bridges.