Underneath the Amarillo sky

Today was filled with lots of very small, almost ghost-like towns. We went through so many little towns that were probably thriving at one time but now, probably with the building of the interstates that took visitors our of the towns, they are almost abandoned. I have tons of pictures of motels which are in ruins. It's hard to believe that they were busy with customers at one time but I'm sure they were.

So much for waxing philosophical. Beautiful weather, albeit a little chilly this morning. This afternoon brought sun and the top down.


This is a famous Route 66 landmark. The Round Barn in Arcadia, OK. There is a Route 66 exhibit in the basement and the main part of the barn is rented out for dances and parties.

There are really cool murals painted on the sides of buildings everywhere. I love it.

This bridge is between Bridgeport and Hydro. It is called "The Pony Bridge" because it uses 38 "pony" trusses to cross the river.

This was a cool shop where we stopped. We don't usually stop at these places because they are usually just cheap trinkets but this place looked legit. David bought a really nice hat.

For miles and miles, there were signs about "The National Route 66 Museum", so we felt obligated to visit the "National" museum. It was pretty cheesy, I'll have to say. There were some really cool cars there but other than that, not great. At least it didn't cost a lot. :-)

This is what the road looks like most of the way through Texas. It was better in some places, worse in others. We were at times almost lulled to sleep by the "thump-de-thump-de-thump" of the road. David said he felt he was galloping.

There's one section of the road that I cannot show you because we opted to avoid it. Between McLean and Alanreed, OK is a section called Dirt 66. Yes, 8 miles of road with dirt, sand and gravel. After having travelled the 9-foot Hwy, we decided it was ok to hit the interstate.

The last town, if you can call it that, before you hit Texas is Texola. I just thought that was funny.

Not sure where this road was supposed to be going but travelling it must have been an adventure.

This sign was on the side of the road as we entered Shamrock, Tx. I was not sure if it was a warning or a celebration.

You gotta love a land that can give a tribute to Barbed Wire. This was in McLean, TX.

After we passed McLean, the terrain became considerably more arid and flat. "Spiky plants and prairie grass cover rolling hills cut by eroded gullies." I've never seen land like that.

A famous Route 66 landmark. I know it's for the tourist but I still took pictures.

This "Bug Ranch" is a take off on the "Cadillac Ranch" that we will see today. This thing was so small, we drove by it twice before we saw it. It's just on the side of the road in front of an old gas station. Funny though.

When in Amarillo, it is a requirement to eat at The Big Texan. They have a 72 oz. steak dinner that if you can eat the whole thing in 60 minutes, you get it free. If you can't do it, it costs $72.00. Beleive it or not people do it all the time. Someone did it this past Saturday. WOW! That's not a steak. That's a roast.

It's Albuqurque next. Have a great day. We plan to