In the 1980s, Dallas was not just the name of an American city, it was also the name of one of the most popular shows on TV. At the end of each season, there was a cliff hanger scene, which would not only be the topic of discussion over the water cooler the following day after the weekly show aired, but it made the Dallas skyline one of the most distinctive and recognised worldwide.
We take an Uber into Reunion Tower for two reasons: to view Dallas from the top of the tower and to eat at Crown Block, the once revolving restaurant, which has the reputation for very fine dining.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are very late and our timed dinner slot had almost come and gone when we arrive. We quickly make some changes to our reservations to take advantage of the quickening light.
Completed in 1978, Reunion Tower is like a giant Chup-a-Chup. A ball on a stick. It takes us a minute or so to travel by lift to the observation deck. The back wall of the lift is glass, providing us the opportunity to view Dallas as we rise. It is like taking a series of snapshots of the same scene but showing a different perspective.
It's a beautiful day. Clear blue skies provide the ability to see as far as the eye can see, and more so. Because the terrain is so flat, there is nothing to obstruct the panorama. Once outside on the observation deck, it is possible to view the various landmarks that make Dallas so famous. The Book Depository, the sixth-floor window from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot President John F Kennedy is in plain view, as is the cross on the road that indicates the spot where JFK was killed. Moving across, the iconic green glass buildings, the Renaissance Tower, the Bank of America tower and more appear to be very familiar, and they are to those of us who slavishly watched Dallas three decades ago.
I slowly walk the full circumference of the observation deck. In the opposite direction bridges, and spaghetti freeways successfully provide a means for commuters to travel to their suburban homes. Here, extensive road infrastructure means that traffic flows. For a Victorian, it is easy to see that there are solutions to traffic congestion and that arrogant governments could fix the problems if only they would open the options to people who can genuinely contribute.
As the sun lowers, I notice that there is no twilight, no sunset. The sun reflects off the corner of the Bank of America building and works its way down the building getting brighter as it slides down.
I want to watch the lights come up as the day darkens. We wait until the moment, the cusp between day and evening and take one more circuit before leaving the tower.
Almost.
We haven't yet left the building. We go down to the first floor before checking into the Crown Block restaurant. Taking a different lift to the restaurant floor just below the observation deck, I we notice darkness has fallen and the full-height windows provide a magnificent view of Dallas. Unfortunately, we don't get a view of the skyscrapers, but the stadium and sports precinct.
The Crown Block is an excellent restaurant. Since I've only just arrived from Australia, a couple of appetisers is enough to ward off the hunger pains. This is a perfect end to the day and as we return to the first floor, we head to the hotel to get a cab back to our hotel, which is out near the Love Fields airport.
We have an early start tomorrow and another exciting day ahead of us.
Title quote: Dallas advertising slogan
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