We'd read in our EZ66 Guide that people have said that Texas is flat ... when we first crossed into Texas, we didn't know what they were talking about. Once we were west of Groom, it became very evident. What a flat wasteland! (Sorry Texans!) Across the border we did typical Route 66 tourism - photos of old service stations, photos of the leaning tower of Groom, geocached at Rest Area, etc. With all due respect to our religious friends/family, we did visit the Giant Cross outside of Groom (190'!) but only to complete a virtual cache. It did amaze us, however, that this mecca was built out in the middle of nowhere. Lots of windmills in Texas also - Caitlin the driver beat me again today by spotting more windmills than I. Though we couldn't count the hundreds of wind turbines that are a part of a wind farm between Bushland and Wildorado - seriously, hundreds!!!
Amarillo is the largest city along the Route in Texas (pop. 190,695) and with our limited time there we accomplished the following: Giant Alert! photos of the Big Texan; lunch at Smokey Joe's in the San Jacinto neighborhood on SW 6th - very cool, hip area; and of course the Cadillac Ranch. At first I was appalled that people graffited the cars, but on closer inspection we realized that it is not only accepted, it's encouraged. So we joined in. 
Around 3:30 pm we jumped on the interstate and encountered a severe thunderstorm which required our pulling off for about a half hour to wait it out. Our destination for the night was Tucumcari NM, and it rained the entire way. As we drove into Tucumcari, the storm broke and we pulled in to the Route 66 famed Blue Swallow Motel. Many, many motels along the Route in Tucumcari, as well as old signs (and no motels), but this one appealed to us. Our hosts are Nancy and Kevin from Michigan and we're in Room 10. Next door to Gavin from Brisbane, Australia who's on business in the states but sightseeing on a rented Harley. After cruising around town to see Tucumcari's murals and buy supplies, back at the motel we sat outside chatting with our new friend, Gavin, over a beverage or two and discover that a couple from Huntley IL (Carl and Mary) are also staying at the motel. Such a small world!
Caitlin, Gavin, and I take the shuttle down to the Pow Wow Restaurant for a delicious Mexican meal and cocktails and close the place down. Great conversation, great company, great evening. Thanks, Gavin, we're thrilled that our paths met.
Happy Trails, S
Hey! i googled mother-daughter motherroad and you guys wre 6th on the list. Pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteWOW ! All the way to NM already! It seems like you just left town! I enjoy the long and "short" stories. The pics are great. We enjoyed Daddy-O's company on Sunday. Hope you had a good Mom's Day. Marlene says she's enjoying the "trip" and has recommended your blog to several friends, one of whom has travelled the 66 route and is also enjoying the blog.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying too! Good to see you guys back on with updates. HOT enough where you guys are at now? Hope you had a GREAT Mother's day Suzie. Guess it couldn't get better than this.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Trails,
Paula
Amarillo has a number of natural attractions near the city. South of Amarillo is the Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the United States' second largest canyon system, after the Grand Canyon. Palo Duro has a distinct hoodoo that resembles a lighthouse. Another natural landmark near the city is the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. It is a site where prehistoric inhabitants obtained flint to make tools and weapons.
ReplyDeleteI like to imagine that the winner of the windmill game is crowned "Quixote" for the day.
ReplyDeleteAlso I can't not picture Gavin as Steve Irwin on a motorcycle.