A Very Cool Thursday

After specifically moving into the Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas to be near White Rock Lake, I FINALLY spent some time chillaxin’ by the lake last night.

Coworkers had suggested that we go to a local bar to celebrate our friend, Suvi’s birthday – but now that I am old and set-in-my-ways, bars just don’t seem to blow-my-hair-back the way they used to. Scrambling to suggest an alternative that would be worthy of the occasion, I remembered the Cool Thursday concert series that is hosted at the Dallas Arboretum. I had never been to one of the Cool Thursday concerts, but the picture on the website of casually dressed picnickers drinking wine in those acrylic wine glasses by the lake while listening to live music always seemed like a good way to spend a “school night”.

The tickets were $16, but parking at the arboretum was free. The concert started at 7:30; we drove into the lot at around 7:10 and were forced into the overflow parking area. Apparently the threat of thunderstorms does not deter the Cool Thursday crowd. The grassy area in front of the stage faces the lake and the setting sun (which was kinda intense until the sun fell back below the tree line – gotta remember to bring my sunglasses next time).

The main venue is a very large grassy area surrounded by giant oaks that are illuminated when darkness falls. The entire area was covered with blankets and folding chairs by the time we arrived so we found a nice spot towards the back and set up our own little picnic. Everyone had brought drinks and snacks – including a now-infamous hummus. There was birthday cake, cans of champagne (Michelle never goes anywhere without some Sofia in her purse), olives and all kinds of non-Paleo stuff (Thursday is my Crossfit-rest-day).

The forecasted thunderstorms never arrived, though their threat seemed to cool off the breeze a little that swept in from the lake. It was a very cool Thursday night, spent listening to music by the Eagles with good friends (who drove all the way out to Lake Highlands). Happy birthday, Suvi.