Thinking Big in Dallas

By Sandra Scott

Everyone knows that everything in Texas is bigger and better. John and I enjoyed experiencing bigger and better in Dallas. The largest hotel in Texas is the Dallas Sheraton. However, it doesn’t seem that big, mainly because it is vertical not spread out. Plus their state-of-the art Finder Boards placed in strategic locations in the hotel made it easy to see where we were, where we wanted to go, what was on the menu in the restaurant, if our flights were on time and many other things.

Our stay got a yummy chocolate start. The first evening we sat around the open fire on the hotel’s patio and noshed on s’mores. We have never been to a hotel that served s’mores or had an outdoor fireplace area where guests could relax in the evening around an open fire. The hotel likes to feature items that make people think of their childhood so they offer mac ‘n cheese and hot dogs along with their more gourmet fare.

S’mores! It bought back memories of my Girl Scout days and the times John and I took our children camping. Everyone loves s’mores and knows how to make them. First it is necessary to roast the marshmallow. Some like to do it fast and catch it on fire, blow out the flame, and find the inside soft and gooey. Others are patient, like John, slowly browning their marshmallows until it is a picture of perfection. Then the marshmallow is placed on a half of a Hershey’s chocolate bar, which is on top of one half of a graham cracker. The other half of the chocolate bar goes on top of the marshmallow, then other half of the graham cracker on top of it all. Squeeze slightly and enjoy… and enjoy we did. Actually the hotel staff made the s’mores for us… now that’s service.

The next day we spent exploring another Texas “big.” Dallas is a vibrant city with the world’s largest urban art area – we didn’t know that. The Dallas Arts District covers 19 square blocks. With a map of the Public Art Walk we downloaded from the Sheraton’s E-link Center we ambled along the 3.3-mile walk. The walk starts right outside the hotel with a dramatic sculpture of people emerging from a gate symbolizing their triumph over cancer.

“Genesis - The Gift of Life,” by the Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias at the entrance of the Dallas Art Museum, is a great introduction to the museum. The galleries display artifacts spanning more than 3000 years. My favorite was The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection with replicas of four rooms of Villa La Pausa, their French Riviera home. It was the setting for their donated artwork. I can’t imagine a lifestyle where I would have works of Toulouse-Lautrec and Claude Monet in my living room.

After a busy day we returned to the Sheraton and what to our wondering eyes did we see but two amazing chocolate treats. In our room were two big apples covered with chocolate, caramel, and marshmallows. Now that is thinking big!

Visit www.sheratondallashotel.com and www.thedallasartsdistrict.org.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos by J. J. Scott.

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