destination: a day in denton

My look: white lace skirt (also comes in navy and fits true to size) first seen here / V-neck t-shirt / metallic flats (sold out; similar here and here) / neutral bag / sunglasses / all weather bangle bracelets

Did you know that I graduated from the University of North Texas? Yep, and it was back in the day when it was called North Texas State University. It’s been a while since I visited my stomping grounds in Denton, Texas but I gladly obliged with actor Sarah Adams invited me to spend the day with her.

Denton was my college town. I transferred there after attending Tyler Junior College to be an Apache Belle. If you read this blog post about my recent visit to Tyler, Texas to check out The Grove, you already know that. Sarah orchestrated a magnificent day that included meeting at West Oak Coffee Bar for delicious coffee and banana – peanut butter toast. We then had a private tour of the Denton County Courthouse-On-The-Square Museum which included climbing to the top of the building and climbing out on to the balcony to enjoy a 360 degree view of Denton and the surrounding areas. Did you know that John B. Denton is buried on the lawn of the Denton Courthouse?

We strolled through the town square and perused several shops including Vintage Blue, La Di Da, Palm Tree and Recycled Books, which is housed in the old Denton Opera House (built in 1899). Later Sarah and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Barley and Board which is partially owned by actor and Denton resident, Jason Lee (My Name is Earl). If you want to check out the work of local artisans, be sure to pop in to DIME. Then, it was time to leave the beautiful Denton town square area and head to campus.

Sarah arranged a private tour of UNT’s Apogee Stadium with associate athletic director of marketing, Jamie Adams. This football stadium is only five years old and absolutely beautiful. I will say that one of the things lacking from UNT when I was a student was a great football stadium. Coincidentally, Mean Joe Green was on campus that day. He is perhaps UNT’s most famous alumni and football player. From there, I left Sarah and Jamie and drove through campus reminiscing about my time as a student. It’s grown a lot but in many ways, it’s exactly the same. Especially when I went back to the apartment that my roommate, Sharla D. and I lived in. The Oaks – apartment #907. I even saw the pool that we enjoyed many afternoons (after class and All My Children, of course). Everything is there as if time stood still.

If you have a chance, spend a day in Denton. A short drive up I-35 north and you are there. You won’t regret it.  xoxo – Tanya

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Photo credit: Will Milne Check out his site: We Denton Do It