Staying busy in Small Town USA

Going on two years now of living in small town USA has been a transition for the mega cities of Asia. Working for non-profits has taken up a fair amount of my time but wanting to stay busy I enrolled in Kilgore Tx, Citizens Police Academy. I hoped to make some friends, but got a highly engaging Thursday night activity over the last two months. Most small town police departments offer Citizens academy's and I highly recommend trying it out, the one in Kilgore TX has been wonderful. Last week we got to shoot police guns and ride along in the police training track.

Kilgore, Texas. Boomtown, USA

http://thiseclecticlife.com/2009/06/25/kilgore-texas-boomtown-usa/

A great write up on my current home by SHELLY KNEUPPER TUCKER on JUNE 25, 2009!

Kilgore oil museum

At $7 a person and no student discount we were skeptical to say the least. The museum at the entrance was sub par and the option to have a volunteer walk through the museum or use an antiquated MP3 device for the audio since the displays did not have text accompaniment furthered our skepticism. The intro video was poorly tracked and the main exhibit hall was poorly maintained, as can be seen in this photo.



The final room in the main exhibit hall did have some informative videos on Fracking, even if they left out what the "other" is and if they made facking seem like the critical component in human existence  It is an oil museum, I guess that to be expected, not a two sided tale but one of the great patriotic realization.  The room was also home to some fantastic belt buckles that I am dying to find for myself.




Than we glanced at some nondescript doors and noticed that the museum had another exhibit hall. Upon entry the Kilgore boom town of the 1930's came it live in an amazing interactive way awaiting our discovery

Talking electrical worker, welcoming you to town

newspaper man getting the latest story

The barber telling town tales

Roughneck poem true across boomtown time

El sombrero

El Sombrero is a highly popular name choice for Mexican restaurants. If you read my posts from Dickinson ND you will notice that El Sombrero mentioned frequently as the only eating location of reasonable enjoyment in the town.

Oil town number two, Kilgore Tx, also home to an El Sombrero. The El Sombrero in Kilgore is the most highly rated restaurant and is a mini chain, the owners have several in the region.

The rating is well warranted, fresh chips, festive decor, quality service, salsa with a kick, clean expansive menu. A quality going out option if you are in Kilgore.

Greenhouse Grill, Fayetteville AR

During our move to Texas we were all about culinary finds along the baker states . Arkansas, late at night, a long day of driving and hours more to go, we were pleasantly surprised to find the greenhouse grill. A culinary oasis in the land of wal mart. A bit of an upscale establishment, less hipster than expected, had wholesome feel good energizing food. Worth checking out if you happen to be within 30 miles of it at any point.

http://www.greenhousegrille.com/

Phone: (479) 444-8909  |  481 S. School Ave.  |  Fayetteville, AR. 72701

Gladewater history museum

http://www.gladewatermuseum.org/

111 West Pacific Street,

Gladewater TX

ONLY OPEN ON SATURDAYS

This museum has an incredible living history staff and is a must see if you are in east texas. I think the pictures speak for themselves

Bake Cupcake Longview TX

This weekend Ian and I visited Bake Cupcake in Longview TX. I felt we were much overdue in the cupcake craze and wanted to see what our new location has to offer.

The space itself: Cute, a bit too pink, not enough seating and slightly disorganized.

The Cupcake: I had a salted caramel and Ian had the bake. Both were fabulous  moist  soft, brilliantly flavored and well displayed. Next visit I am going to get the Key Lime (see photo below)

Some real cons: the service is disorganized and it takes a long time to buy your cupcake. We ordered milk and after we payed they realized they had ran out. They gave us both coffee to substitute and used a single cup coffee maker, however had no flavor selection.

Will we go back, most likely, would i recommend it as a great place in longview, not likely.

The Basics:

http://www.bake-cupcakes.com/

903-295-1212

Mon-Fri : 11:00-6:30pm Saturday : 12:00-4:30pm

1111 Evergreen St Longview, TX