Leon Banowetz graciously treated the Team to a day at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and to see the current exhibit of Animal Inside Out. If you aren’t familiar with the exhibit, it’s an absolutely amazing (albeit somewhat freaky, slightly disturbing) collection of skinned animals that have been filled with clear plastic. It’s a rare opportunity to see what lies beneath all the hair and fur up close and personal. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a full-sized giraffe towering over you, in a sense, naked. The process used (Plastination) and the attention to detail are remarkable. It certainly had us awed, despite the inevitable jokes and goofing off that occurs when you get the group of us together off the clock.

While waiting for our turn to see Animal Inside Out, we had to opportunity to explore the rest of the museum (or most of it), which was a first for some of us. Admittedly, it was even more impressive than I expected and it really warranted an entire day to completely take in all of the displays and factoids. An absolute favorite for several of us was the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, where the sheer color, geometry and design of some of the various crystals as found in nature was breathtaking. And of course, riding the great big escalator in the glass tube was pretty cool, too. Something about science museums just brings out the kid in everyone — even if they’re kids with achy feet and backs.

After working up an appetite, we relocated to Savor, the gastropub at Klyde Warren Park, for drinks and appetizers where we enjoyed the view of downtown, deviled eggs and a few good laughs before calling it a night. All in all, it was a great outing. I am already looking forward to a return trip to the Perot Museum (this time in tennies), and I’d like to try the patio at Savor when the weather isn’t sub thirty. But it’s nice to live in a city that offers so many great options for a field trip, and to have co-workers that make taking a field trip so much fun.

– Kris Murphy, Senior Designer

If anyone had told me five years ago I’d be choosing to eat off the side of a truck, I would have retorted “A roach coach? Are you kidding?” Well, I’m having to eat my words. And they’ve been pretty tasty.

Unless you’ve been asleep for the last few years, you’ve probably noticed the food truck craze that has taken over Dallas. Not only are there food trucks, but food truck parks (plural), food truck sites, food truck blogs and food truck groupies. As diverse and interesting as the truck designs are all the types of food you can now find parked all around town at any given moment. No longer relegated to stale pre-packaged sandwiches, food trucks are now serving up gourmet tacos, slow-smoked barbeque,sliders, crab cakes and sushi — just to name a few — and the dessert category is no less impressive.

Somehow, just the mention of food trucks seems to make lunchtime more exciting: multiple choices in one location, trying new and trendy foods, something for everyone. And the stable of trucks lining the streets of Klyde Warren Park every day from 11am -4pm makes for a perfect field trip for a few of the Banowetz gang — and an opportunity to get out of the office and in on the craze.

The Butcher’s Son’s sliders did not disappoint (we ordered four kinds), with our favorite being some type of southern concoction consisting of buttermilk fried chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes. Although it wasn’t one I was originally interested in, I found myself wishing we’d ordered more of that particular variety. And more tater tots. DJ sprang for the sushi with a butterfly roll. I’m not that brave yet. Baby steps.

Surprisingly, no one seems to mind standing in line or eating out of paper baskets — or outside in the almost-100° heat. It’s all about the food. So, in a city with so many restaurant choices, you have to wonder: what makes food trucks so appealing? I don’t know if it’s the novelty of it, or that it feels more urban and cool, or if it’s because the food really is that good. I’ll have to do more research. All I know is that it’s two hours ‘til lunch and I’m already thinking “food trucks.”

Check out Roaming Hunger for more info on everything “food trucks.” You’ll find a list of Dallas vendors, a place to book a truck for an event and even a link to a mobile app with a real-time locator — so you can track down your favorite meal on wheels.

— Kris Murphy, Senior Designer