The Ultimate Fate of the Starship Pegasus

Hardcore Trekkies know the unfortunate fate of the fictional Federation Starship Pegasus but unbeknownst to many, a real life Starship Pegasus also lays in ruins as a reminder to travelers of the subtle whims of fate and of how far the stars can be.

Much like Trek's "Great Bird of the Galaxy," this ship was also helmed by a true visionary: Andy Gee, a man who brought his unique vision in for a landing in Italy...Italy, TX.


"I had hoped it would inspire the next kid to grow up and create the warp drive that would take us to meet an alien civilization," said architect and entrepreneur Gee. His vision became a reality when the Starship Pegasus Restaurant opened for business in 2005. Unfortunately two years later the doors were closed and the ship was docked.


As it sits along I-35 in Italy (approximately 45 miles south of Dallas), unkempt weeds scrape the hull and the once lustrous facade fades like starlight at dawn. But this vision of the future shares Star Trek's optimism.


Starship Pegasus Associates Community Enterprises, or S.P.A.C.E, has used the building as a flea market/farmers market but the ultimate rescue for the Pegasus can come from Trek's biggest fan: you!


It's true, the Starship Pegasus is for sale and for the right amount of gold pressed latinum you can own it! You always wanted a novelty, sci-fi themed restaurant haven't you? Then make it so!

UPDATE:  Sadly, the Pegasus was ultimately torn down.

Tickets to Ride

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is in full swing right now, as it is every January, which brought back childhood memories of bundling up and showing Black Angus heifers in the cold weather, in between taking in all the events and exhibits that the Fair puts on every year.

So after digging through the old shoe box where the memories, souvenirs and keepsakes are stored, we found some old passes and tickets.  These are from 1988 (which, believe it or not, was almost 30 years ago):

Just a couple of mementos from a Texas institution...don't forget to save yours when you go this year.  Stay warm and enjoy the show folks!

Chicken & Somethin'

Dairy Queen didn't start in Texas and they certainly aren't exclusive to Texas but somehow over the years the fast food chain has really dug its heels into the Lone Star culture.  Imagery of Friday night noshing at the local small town DQ before heading out to the high school game flood the small screen during commercials every fall.

And now they've taken it to the next level by introducing an unusual menu item.  Sure, lots of fast food chains like Taco Bell and Pizza Hut get the headlines but stuffing something into something or taking an odd flavor and incorporating it into your favorite snack but DQ has taken it up a notch by going after Grandma's beat.

Chicken and Dumplings from the drive thru?  Sounds like something that could easily go horribly wrong.  Would you forgo the Hunger Buster for a warm bowl of old school comfort food?  We decided to find out and here's what we got:

So what's the verdict?  They're actually not too bad.  Certainly not in the same category as Grandma's home cooking but better than what you'd expect from a fast food chain.  Not that you would necessarily expect chicken and dumplings at a fast food chain though.

The creamy broth has enough flavor to be acceptable and make up for the obviously processed chicken.  But salt lovers may want to grab an extra packet or too.

The dumplings could have been a little firmer.  As it is, they are slightly mushy.  The dish is probably on the same level as what you might get at a Luby's or Golden Corral type restaurant.  So not great, but definitely a nice and convenient lunch during the 10 days per years of cold weather that we get here in Texas.

But for me personally, Dairy Queen will also be known as the best fast food tacos on the road.  Yeah, that's right.  Try some next time.