Fort Worth It

Fort Worth It
By: Lillian Bocquin

I have visited Fort Worth, TX several times in my life but many included just passing through. However, when one of my classes visited the city as a preparation trip for our journey to Puerto Rico, I discovered the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards were a vibrant part of the city I had not explored previously and we dove right in when we got there.

Having ridden the train from Norman to Fort Worth early that morning, many of us sought out food almost immediately upon arrival. A quick Google search for the best Mexican food in town led us to Los Vaqueros and they did not disappoint. I had quite literally the best vegetables of my life and the wonderful staff kept the chips and salsa flowing.

Photo by Lilly, Los Vaqueros Restaurant in Fort Worth Texas

That afternoon we were able to watch the cattle trail up the main street and speak with one of the women working the cattle. This woman told us the cattle drivers were city employees and expressed how much she loved what she did. She also revealed how difficult it was, especially the aspects people don’t see like taking care of the animals all day.

Photo by Lilly, Fort Worth Stockyard cattle drive

I hope to love my job one day as much as she does, no matter how difficult it may be. In fact, I think the most difficult jobs are the ones you truly love. Those are the jobs that are worth every bit of the blood, sweat and tears that go into it.

The Trial Run

by Mackenzie Brim

       To a city girl, the world of trains and stockyards only exists in the movies and cartoons or as a tourist attraction, but for many people the world of Texas past is their life, love and legacy. On a day trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards, I interacted with some of the many people who live their lives in what some would call a performance, but they are simply living their reality.

            

       While on the train, I went for snacks and met a woman named Heather Thompson, who wanted to be a flight attendant and, but was too short and settled for a train attendant. Her day consists of cleaning, serving guests, and occasionally declining an offer from swingers. 

      “I mean it’s public transportation, so I’ve seen a lot of wild things. People of drugs, having sex in the bathroom and even swingers, who I think had a crush on me.” 

       For the group of elementary school students who were on the train recreating the Polar Express it is a fantasy, but Heather has a wedding to help pay for and a mortgage,“It’s my life.”

         

   

       After disembarking the train and a short bus ride, I arrived at Stock Yard City, a street lined with steakhouses and gift shops that leads to the stockyards. The street also has a  Forth Work Stockyard Hotel was covered in wood paneling and old wallpaper, fitting perfectly with the theme of the tourist attraction that is Stock yard city. Sitting on the oversized maroon couches and laughing jollily was the Ivy family, the first to settle in Texas as immigrants in the 1800s. 

    

    “You see a lot of people dressed up as cowboys, but I’m a real cowboy,” said Mo Ivy, his smile lines deepening as he spoke, his cowboy had still perfectly resting on his head. 

        “You now he’s a real cowboy, because of his Belt Buckle,” said the son Tyler. Mo smiled and showed off the belt proudly. His family was ranchers and coming to cattle drives was how they obtained the livestock to provide for their business.

       

         Learning more about a culture that was only 130 miles away from where I grew up was a great experience and set the framework to learn over 2,000 miles away.

Mackenzie Brim

mackenziebrim.com

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