MJ outside the gate of SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium, Dallas

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Southern Methodist University in Dallas.  It’s officially located in University Park, a part of the greater Dallas area.

SMU, founded in 1911, is a private university owned and operated by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.  The university has an enrollment of nearly 11,000 students, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree in seven schools:  humanities and sciences, business, the performing, visual, and communication arts, engineering, education and human development, law, and theology.  The campus is home to 10 libraries, including the largest private collection of research materials in the southwest, and the Meadows Museum, one of the leading collections of Spanish art outside of Spain.

What brought me to the SMU campus, however, was not related to education, culture, or art.  What prompted my visit to SMU was football.  Specifically, SMU Mustangs football.  I know, you’re scratching your head thinking, “but MJ, you don’t even like football,” but this little side trip, like many in my travels, was about friendship.  Head coach June Jones is a friend, and this was a little glimpse at the stadium and field where his team plays.  (The photo shows me standing outside the gate of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium.)

This was a beautiful campus, set in a largely residential area, and a visit was well worth the time getting off the beaten path.  I’m looking at fall travel plans now, and wondering how many new campuses I can visit!

Do you have a favorite college campus that you’ve visited?

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The first option is The Boneyard, which calls itself the Largest Haunt in Texas.  At over half a mile long, last year’s Boneyard was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “largest walk-through haunted house in the world.”  This year it’s back, and bigger!

This is a “performance” haunted house, with dramatic music and skilled actors drawing the crowds into the sets.  The Boneyard features over 50 chilling scenes, along with food, music, and games in an all-indoor environment.  All net proceeds from The Boneyard go to support local Special Olympics Teams.

The Boneyard is located in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, at 3000 E. Pioneer Parkway in Arlington, Texas, just south of Six Flags Amusement Park on Highway 360.

And over in Fort Worth, is another Haunted House calling itself the largest in the world:  Cutting Edge. 

Cutting Edge is located in a 235,000 square foot warehouse built in the late 1920’s.  The haunted house features ghosts, phantoms, and all sorts of spooky ghouls.  There’s even a spooky Santa ghost!

Cutting Edge is located in Downtown Fort Worth at 1701 E. Lancaster Avenue (the Intersection of I-30 and Hwy 287).  Hours are 7 pm-10 pm during the week, open till midnight on Friday, Saturday and Halloween.  Admission is $23 (plus tax) for adults, $18.50 for children 10 and under.

Thanks for the info, Astroprof.  Let me know if you check either of them out for yourself.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe