We spent the first spring weekend walking around the Stock Yards at Fort Worth, Texas. The warm weekend weather was a good break from the lingering winter cold and was a good excuse to go outdoors. A simulation of the cattle drive that made the stockyards famous was scheduled at 4 p.m. but we missed it since we arrived late. Instead of the cows, we found vehicles and people crowding the main street of Fort Worth.

A lot of people took advantage of the warm spring weekend. Texas weather has really been crazy and the swings has been from winter-coat day on one day and to T-shirt day the next. This day was not a day to complain. Everyone was still handy with their light jackets but most shed some layer of clothing to enjoy the warm sun.

The rich heritage of ranch and farm life was very evident. Cattle and horses can be seen at street corners and the clip-clop of hooves were musical to the ears. The rodeo was ongoing inside the coliseum. Young men and women in cowboy/cowgirl attire walked the streets. The idea of fun was riding a horse drawn carriage which has the right of way in the streets. Pictures taken while sitting atop a cow or horse served as souvenir.

A massive steam engine sat idled and attracted a lot of people. The train played a very significant role in the very early years. Most towns, by the way, proliferated because they were along the train route. The train at the Stock Yards now tours people around the adjacent area. It must have been a sight back in the day when the train actually transported people and cargo through the Stock Yards.

By late afternoon, the thinning crowd from early afternoon has began to return. More rodeo activities kicked in and the line of people to the coliseum grew longer. Neon and street lights flickered on and started to throw colors to the streets and corners. Night life at the Stock Yards has began. The bars and restaurants clicked gears and went full swing.

For us, with children tagging along, it was time to head home. The temperature has dropped and the cool evening breeze was upon us once again. The short period of time that the spring weekend allowed us to enjoy some warmth has ended.