New Year’s Eve at The French Room

Somehow I never saw Texas in my future when I met James in small town Kentucky.
I knew Texas by reputation only: the frontier home of romantic cowboys, pickup trucks, chili cook-offs, and oil derricks. In our first three years of marriage, Dallas was our third move. We’d launched our careers in New Orleans, then on to Washington, DC. But when new opportunities presented themselves, we jumped at relocating to the Lone Star State.

We embraced all that Texas had to offer. From barbecue to bull riding – we tried it all. As they said in the day, we were D.I.N.K.S. Dual Income, No Kids. We’d just bought our first house in a close-to-downtown, fringe neighborhood. We reassured ourselves of our savvy purchase (read: all we could afford) by saying, “It’s Got Potential!” Our street was filled with old-timers and transplants of all persuasions. It wasn’t unusual to come home and find the neighbor’s chickens in our back yard, or the local painter lounging on our front porch with a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. Sociologists referred to us as “Young Urban Pioneers.”

In Dallas we embraced all things Texas – Especially cowboy hats and big hair!

One thing they know how to do in Texas is celebrate, and we loved it. That’s how we found ourselves on New Year’s Eve (aka Terri’s birthday) in downtown Dallas having drinks with James’ Geophysicist buddies – always a lively bunch of young Texas Oil Hunters. And my favorite member of the gang was a more seasoned scientist, 30 years my senior, who could hold his own in any crowd – Eckley Snow.

Eckley was a charming guy – all the women loved him, and the guys wanted to tell stories half as good as his. Imagine West Texas swagger meets continental suave. Physically he was a cross between Winston Churchill and Santa Claus – without the girth or beard. There always seemed to be a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a smirk that said, “You’ll never know!” And he loved his Mama.

On the surface Eckley was a humble, self-deprecating fellow, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. He was a man of the world: Pearl Harbor survivor and Purple Heart recipient who went on to become a geophysicist. He worked all over the globe – when travel was hard work. Journeying to Bangladesh, India, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, he searched for oil.

Back at the bar, we finished our drinks and everyone was heading off to their own New Year’s Eve plans. Eckley took us aside and said, “How would you like to join me for dinner at The French Room? My Treat. It is your birthday.” I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know what The French Room was, but as a life-long Francophile I knew I was in!

The Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas

It turned out that The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel, built in 1912, was (and still is) one of the fanciest, most expensive restaurants in Dallas – way above our pay grade.

As we entered we were gobsmacked by the old-world elegance of the place. Soaring ceilings, gilded furniture, lovely table settings, and scintillating aromas. Throughout the meal the amazing chef and attentive staff created an evening to remember. I was just in my 20s and experienced a lot of lifetime “firsts:”

  • First time eating French Food (although I had dreamed of it ever since taking 9th Grade French Lessons.)
  • First time a waiter had ever draped a starched white napkin across my lap.
  • First time I saw sole filleted with a spoon.
  • First time I ever tasted a vegetable terrine. Who knew you could do something so elegant with the simple green bean.
Elegant interior of The French Room
Murano glass chandelier in The French Room

I have no memory of what anyone else ate, but my meal was sublime. Sole meunière avec terrine de haricots verts, followed by mousse au chocolat. At the stroke of midnight, we welcomed the new year with champagne.

The whole experience was like a scene from Babette’s Feast. The phrase Gypsies in the Palace comes to mind.

* * * * * 

One of our longtime followers recently contacted James, and after some polite conversation, gently asked, “Is Terri still with us?” We haven’t stopped laughing about that one. So in answer to the question, Yes! We are both very much alive and well – laughing and loving life more than ever.

Just like all of you, our year has been complicated – filled with celebratory highs and sorrowful lows. And every year when December 31st rolls around we always have a fabulous time. But I have never had a birthday as memorable as that New Year’s Eve at The French Room.

In this season of gratitude … Thank You, Eckley for an enduring life memory.

And a big Thank You to each and every one of you out there for your enduring support and encouragement.

Wishing All of You a Very Happy New Year,

Terri & James

Photo Credits: 2. Dfwcre8tive

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Author: gallivance.net

We're Terri and James Vance - high school sweethearts who went on to international careers and became world nomads. Today, 65 countries later, we're still traveling ... and still in love. Check out Our Story for more of the backstory at gallivance.net.

39 thoughts

    1. Thanks so much, Anita. As you’ve pointed out in your blog, it’s been a challenging year on many fronts, and I’m hoping that the new year will bring greater peace to the world. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. All the best, Terri

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much. Terri….Greater peace to the world in 2026 would be a wonderful thing to see and experience! Have a very Happy New Year, as well as a very Happy Birthday!!

    1. Aww, many thanks, Jo. In Texas they believe “Go big or go home” and they definitely follow their own advice. We are the better for having spent some time there when we were young. Wishing you and yours a fantastic New Year. ~Terri

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    1. Many thanks, Brenda. As you know from living in various places, you always make great memories. I’m sure that the stories you and Larry could tell would keep us entertained endlessly. James and I wish you a very joyful and Happy New Year. ~T & J

      Reply

  8. Happy New Year to you both and Happy Birthday to Terri. I just finished reading TEXAS by James Michner. What a fascinating history that state has. Wow! Take care and happy travels. Mona

    Reply

    1. Hi Mona, it’s wonderful to hear from you! I hope that 2025 treated you well. I read the Michner book years ago (probably when we moved to Dallas) and thought it was fascinating – as are so many of his books.

      Thanks for stopping by. James and I wish you all the very best in 2026. ~Terri

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  9. Happy Birthday, Terri! What an amazing birthday you had that first birthday in Texas. I am sure you had many more wonderful ones since. There is something so special having our birthdays on New Year’s Eve. Take care! As always much love and blessings to you and James in the new year!
    Nancy K 😊❤️🥳

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  10. And Happy Birthday, Nancy – my twin sister of different mothers! Wouldn’t it be fascinating to compare their birth stories. And you’re right about the New Year’s Eve birthday – my parents always claimed I was a great (and welcome) tax deduction! I’ve always thought of it as a guaranteed party. Wishing you and Johnny a fabulous New Year filled with family, fun, and travel. Much Love ❤ Terri

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  11. I just spent Christmas in Texas at Peggy’s brother’s house in Georgetown, Terri. And for Christmas dinner he fed a delicious Texas treat, brisket! So your story was right on. And how nice of Eckley to treat you to dinner on that night, ever so long ago. We to have reached that age when we wonder if someone is still living. So many have passed on. Thankfully, and I mean it, we are still kicking along and having adventures. The very best in 2026 to you and James. –Curt

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  12. Well Curt, you just can’t beat a good ol’ Texas brisket, can you? And those who perfect the technique are to be admired. Sounds like you had a lovely holiday.

    I was just catching up with your 2025 travels – what a year you two have had! And your plans for next year sound amazing. And knowing you two, you’ll be “still kicking along and having adventures” for a very long time. Wishing you and Peggy a very Happy New Year. Can’t wait to see what you’re up to next. ~Terri

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  13. Happy birthday, Terri!!!! And, Happy New Year to you both. May 2026 be full of positive experiences and more firsts in travel and in life. This was an elegant write up of an exquisite experience. French food is good! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Happy New Year, Liesbet! And thanks for the kind words and birthday wishes. Welcome back to the US – until your next adventure begins. I have so loved following your journey throughout South America over the past years. And now you’re back in very chilly weather. I know you probably have all kinds of plans up your sleeves and I can’t wait to hear them. Wishing you, Mark, and Maya a fantastic New Year filled with adventure. ~Terri

      Reply

  14. Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Terri! I hope your celebration was a fun day all day long, even if it didn’t end at the palatial French Room this time round courtesy of Eckley. I had to smile at the photo of you both with the big hat and the big hair in your early Texas days! Wishing you both new adventures in new corners of the world in 2026.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Annie! I had a great day – even without a trip to The French Room. As James says, “Chez Vance is even better!” That photo is a real blast from the past – big hair and all. I stumbled across it when I was looking for a photo of Eckley.

      Wishing you and Steven a very Happy New Year. Are there travel plans in your future? ~Terri

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      1. Yes, Terri, we’re off next Wednesday for a few nights in Houston before a two-week Caribbean cruise that starts and ends in Galveston. Then, in late March, we’re off on an almost three-month trip to Fiji, NZ’s South Island, Western Australia, a few days in East Timor and Bali, then ending the trip in Taiwan, a country we’ve been trying to visit repeatedly since 2020! What about you and James – any new ventures/adventures in the offing?

      2. Annie, your plans sound fabulous! Truly a dream trip. Can’t wait to hear all about it. We don’t have any plans firmed up yet – we’re at that dreaming stage where everything seems both possible and impossible. Enjoy your Caribbean cruise!

  15. What an awesome way to celebrate your birthday and the end of a year! I love the picture of the two of you in Texas and the more recent photo where you both look very much alive! All the best for 2026!!

    Reply

    1. Happy New Year, Darlene! Looking back at old photos is always a hoot. We both marvel over our big hair – at least we weren’t the only ones, then. 🙂 Wishing you the very best in 2026. So is Amanda in Thailand your next book? ~Terri

      Reply

      1. We all had big hair back then!! Yes, Amanda will be in Thailand next. I just started the first chapter. Here’s to more adventures for all of us.

  16. Happy belated birthday, Terri! I really enjoyed this Texas story having lived there twice myself, in the ’80s and again from 2017-24. Like you, I’m glad I got to experience that larger-than-life state for a little while. The Adolphus brought back great memories of my oil and gas banking days, but I don’t think I ever registered that there was a fancy French restaurant there; I was probably too young to have noticed! What a treat you had.

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    1. Thanks so much. It’s wonderful to hear from you, Lexie! I knew that you had lived in Texas, but didn’t know you had done it twice – just like us. Our sojourns were in the 70s and 80s. You’re so right about it being a larger-than-life state. I’m guessing that you’re finding North Carolina to be a change of pace and I hope that it’s treating you well. Wishing you all the very best in the New Year! ~Terri

      Reply

  17. Happy belated birthday, Terri! What a great memory you had for your birthday at the French Room! (And what a grand place it looks!) Speaking of being a Francophile, I remember learning the name “haricot vert” when I was learning French back in 2005. But that name sticks and I still refer to the vegetable with its French name, even when having it at a Cantonese restaurant! Happy New Year and I wish you a year filled with joy and happiness!

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    1. Many thanks , Bama. And Happy New Year to you, too! Like you I’m fascinated by the words we borrow from other languages – I’ve always loved that the French adopted “le weekend” since we have borrowed so many great words from them. The French Room was my first real-life experience with the French language since studying it when I was 15. I was thrilled.

      And I just saw that published and article on Uxmal. Can’t wait to read it. Wishing you all the very best that 2026 has to offer. ~Terri

      Reply

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