Oh dear - the lack of scrapping is becoming a bit of a feature - it will get better - I promise. Life is just a bit full on at the moment and I can't quite get my head around scrapping.
I am also busy making two photo books of the pictures we took and that is taking forever!
However - i do have a left over page from last weekend to share
The pictures are from our trip to a gorgeous Farmers' Market in Woodstock Vermont which was a great place to visit. The leaves are done with stencils and inks
Today I am thankful for
- Nigel putting up the outside Christmas decorations. I am hoping he does the inside ones as a surprise Monday or Tuesday!! I am hoping he reads this!
Day 12 Dodge to Amarillo
26th October 2019
Start miles 4150
Start time 6.30
End miles 4533
End time 6.00
The one with The locals
Once again we were up very early in the morning and it seems silly not to leave whilst we have the chance. We had breakfast as soon as they opened and then headed out on our way to start the Route 66 part of our holiday, which we were so excited about. It was, of course, pitch black when we left and for miles and miles we watched flashing red lights ahead of us. We had no idea what they were, but they were across the road and constantly flashing. We felt sure that they must be the wind turbines that seemed to be everywhere and later research showed that to be the case, but it did keep two old people very happy for a good 20 minutes on the road. As the sun rose we were greeted to the most wonderful sunrise with the sky lit in vibrant orange and we stopped to take a picture of one of the many many windmills, but the old-fashioned sort, not the big industrial windfarm wind turbine type. I have always liked these old fashioned windmills and had wanted to take a picture with them for a long time and this shot just seemed perfect. At the time we took the photos we thought you have to take the opportunity to snap such an iconic windmill when you see it, because who knew when you might see another one. Little did we know it would be sooner than we thought!
With the daylight we were able to see remnants of the snow that it hit the previous day. It is unusual for the area to have snow so early in October, but then the Leahy’s were in town so what did you expect. The scenery we drive-through was beautiful, with lush green fields and the sun picking out the snow remnants along the roadside. We passed through into Oklahoma and were able to say “I guess I’m not in Kansas anymore”. We drove into a small town called Shattuck Oklahoma and I saw, ahead, several windmills. No, wait, there were more than several. We pulled off as we had discovered the Shattuck windmill museum. There was quite thick snow on the ground and no one around whilst we wandered through a veritable treasure trove of every type of Windmill imaginable. It was one of those unexpected yet very cute and memorable moments that you get on road trips. The grins spread across our faces as we wandered around taking pictures, smiling.
Our first stop on route 66 was Elk City in Oklahoma and we found it very easily. After some discussion about who was taking photographs the right way, we enjoyed walking round the museum grounds and it was our first experience of what we might expect as we traveled the Mother Road. I don’t think either of us had realised quite how much we had wanted to drive Route 66 until we started planning this trip in depth. When I began right researching the route there were so many places that were iconic and that we knew we had to stop and see. The mother road was so important in the development of the country and yet it was staggering that the instigation of Interstate 40, which still runs alongside Route 66 in many places, could destroy so many towns and so many livelihoods almost overnight. Thanks to the work of many enthusiasts, a lot of these iconic buildings were now being restored and the tourism that they brought to the area was regenerating some of these lost towns. We knew that this trip would show us so much that was tacky and kitsch and proper old Americana and we couldn’t wait.
Like all museums in America the Elk City museum grounds were spectacular and we enjoyed our wander before heading onto Interstate 40 which would be our companion for many days as we made the journey west. We had purchased the EZ guide which is apparently the most definitive guide to route 66 that you can get. It is for the real enthusiasts and enables you to know exactly when to get on and off different roads to drive as much of the original route 66 as possible. We were not that much of an enthusiast to stick rigidly to Route 66, rather picking it up where appropriate and using I40 to speed on a journey where appropriate. We did however enjoy driving the longest continuous stretch of Route 66, some 120+ miles, at the end of our trip. We stopped at Eric to see the Sandhills curiosity shop, marvelling at how similar it was to the shop in Cars and in cars land. After all the film cars was really about the mother road and how it became cut off.
I needed the bathroom whilst in Eric and there was a large supermarket general store on Route 66 just down from the curiosity shop and so we went in so that I could use the restroom.
Conversation in the self proclaimed red neck heartland of Texas
“Where you all from.?”
“From the UK”
“Oh I follow world politics some. You are in a big mess over there huh?l
“Yes we sure are ... we are quite sure what we will go home to, to be honest”
“Did you guys vote to stay or leave?”
“We voted to leave.”
“Good for you. It sounds like you guys need a revolution over there. I don’t have a dog in the fight but I’d sure be happy to air lift you some guns ta help!”
Nervous laughter and joy that the wife was out of the restroom.
These are the little moments that help to make road trips so memorable.
On next stop was Shamrock and we hit a McDonald’s for a quick lunch break before exploring the historic part of town. Unlike some of the towns abandoned on route 66, Shamrock is still a busy thriving community, but there is still plenty of evidence of the old original Route 66. Our first destination was the truly amazing Conoco tower and U Drop Inn (another one featured in Cars the movie). It was an absolutely stunning building and has been beautifully restored. We were out of season and so it was not open, but the exterior was stunning. We were also able to see other old buildings from Route 66 time and it was our first introduction to the murals that would be a feature throughout Route 66. We got a little lost and ended up seeing some of the smaller backroads in Shamrock but a sense of direction and having to satnav is helped no end.
From Shamrock we headed to McLean, which is certainly not a thriving town these days. It was actually very sad to see evidence of what happens when a town dies. We saw the restored gas station and the old cactus Motel. It was quite a sobering visit, not least because we drive the wrong way down a one-way street. They do, however, boast the Devil's Rope Museum - a museum dedicated solely to barbed wire in all of its glory. There are also lots of great mural throughout the town.
From McClean we headed to Groom, seeing a brief glimpse of the leaning tower of Groom… It’s amazing what people will make into attractions when needs day. A real reason for visiting Groom was to see the giant Cross. I had read about this on the Internet and about the stations of the cross around it and it was something I really wanted to see. I can’t really explain in writing what the visit was like, but it was totally not what we expected. Rather than seeing something somewhat tacky it was a beautiful and spiritual place. The whole place was impeccably clean and totally beautiful and there was such an air of peace and tranquillity despite the freeway in the distance. We spent some time in quiet contemplation and then, as we were about to leave we were approached by a gentleman who had been walking round as we had. He was only a young man and clearly had somewhat of a past behind him from what he said. We talked about the experience and he asked if he could pray with us which we were only too pleased to agree. Another one of those moments on a road trip that I will never forget.
Our final stop of the day was Amarillo… And yes we had had fun earlier in the day playing the song in the car and even videoing our journey towards this iconic town whilst singing along. We had decided that we would try and see the Cadillac Ranch today rather than leave it until tomorrow morning which meant we drove through and past Amarillo more times than we were perhaps comfortable with. The Cadillac Ranch is one of the iconic mad attractions of Route 66 and we had agonised about buying spray paint to add our own graffiti (it is encouraged) but had decided against it. It was just as well as the caddies were all surrounded by muddy water and there was no way that either of us would have wanted to paddle through it to add our mark. It made the cute photos though.
We took a brief drive through the historic district in Amarillo and the Big Texan which is another local icon. We stopped at the Big Texan for a restroom and both agreed that it was not our sort of restaurant, even if we could watch people trying to eat a 72 ounce steak and all the trimmings in under an hour. We took the obligatory photos and then opted for dinner at the Longhorn Steakhouse. We have never been to the Longhorn Steakhouse before and it was very nice and very similar both in range and price to the Outback Steakhouse.
The day was starting to end and so we found our hotel for the night. We are normally very very lucky with our choice of hotels but this one was to prove a big disappointment of the trip. On checking in we were asked what time we would be likely to leave in the morning. We said we were early birds and in all likelihood would be away by 630 and we were told that was fine because they had workmen working on the roof but they didn’t start till 10. We were given our room key and it was on the fourth floor. I noticed a large sign on the check-in desk on the staff side that said do not put guests on the fourth floor so I questioned a room allocation and was told it was absolutely fine, it was only in case we were leaving late and would be disturbed by the workmen. We were tired so accepted it. The corridor on the fourth floor wasn’t great, with ceiling tiles out, the roof void exposed, tarpaulins over a lot of the ceiling and buckets to collect water. Our room, however, was fine, being both clean and comfortable. We tend to go to sleep by 8 o’clock as we are up at 5:30 I’m so were a bit disappointed when the noise above us started at about seven. We called down to reception and asked if work was going on this evening and were told quite categorically no. Half an hour later front desk all this and apologised and said the workmen were just leaving. I guess it could’ve been so much worse but I was irritated that we had been put on the floor but was advised not to use.
I love the photos with your Route 66 jackets on while standing near the museum's sign. The logo on the jackets were so perfect!
It totally amazes me how much you and Nigel see in one day. I swear that would be a three-day trip for Steve and me! LOL!
The distance photo of the Conoco Tower makes the building look as though it was made with Legos. Pretty cool.
Sounds like you and Nigel were able to find steakhouses with ease in TX. I have been to the Longhorn Steakhouse in North Kansas City, MO, and felt their steaks were awesome. Of course, that visit was about 7 years ago.
Your Amarillo accommodations sounded very scary actually. Glad you were able to get some rest. I wonder if they were full up and HAD to put guests on the top floor? Seems so very odd.
Posted by: Barb in AK | January 02, 2020 at 02:37 PM