Things Mom and I learned on our 1,864 mile road trip...

1. There are a lot of cows in Oklahoma and Texas.  A lot.

2. They grow their bugs big out West.

3. Apparently, Nashville has missed the boat on donuts.  We passed MANY donut shops between St. Louis and Albuquerque.  In several instances, we passed 3-4 in as many miles.

4. Want a foam cooler at Wal-Mart?  Don't look in the cooler aisle, silly.  Look up front by the registers, next to Customer Service!  That's where everyone keeps their coolers!

5. Driving a full size sedan for 10 days has further solidified my decision to drive a sports car.

6. Just because you see a billboard (or two or three) for Stuckey's, doesn't mean it's actually open.  As Mom points out, that is considered a form of torture.

7. Drying your hair with a hotel hair dryer is like drying your hair with a paper fan.

8. All hotels/motels must have an agreement to put plugs in the most awkward places possible. 

9. Our trip out West was priceless, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat! :)

Our last day of our big adventure...

Today is our last day of our trip!

We are sad it's over, but we are both ready to be at home!

Today, we were up early to head North to Santa Fe.  Our first stop was the Loretto Chapel, home of the "Miraculous Staircase".

Legend is that after the chapel was built in the 1870's, there was no way to access the choir loft.  Carpenters were called in, but they concluded that the only way to access the loft was via ladder because a staircase would take up precious space in the small chapel.  The nuns prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.  On the 9th day of prayer, a carpenter arrived looking for work.  What he built is considered an engineering miracle.  The staircase has no center support, and has two 360 degree turns.  the carpenter left town without payment, and the nuns were unable to locate him.  It is believed that the carpenter was St. Joseph himself, answering the nuns prayers.  

The chapel itself is gorgeous.

After the Loretto Chapel, Mom and I spent time wondering around Santa Fe's Old Town, a quaint shopping area in the historic downtown area.  We got some beautiful things!!

Our last stop before heading back to ABQ was the giant Dinosaur Family, just off I-25.

Notice the T-Rex, busting out of the wall of the building!

We head home tomorrow morning.  Mom and I have had a wonderful time on our trip.  We would do this again in a heartbeat.  Heck, we just may do that!

Greetings from Albuquerque, New Mexico!

We made it to Albuquerque in one piece!  And neither one of us has killed the other (yet)!

We left Tucumcari this morning and headed West.  There wasn't a lot to see on the way to ABQ...just lots of open land and a few cows here and there.  There were a few ghost towns of 66, but we really were not able to access many of them since there isn't a lot of the actual Route 66 between Tucumcari to ABQ left.  What was left is dirt road or rough frontage roads.

Mom was excited to see a billboard for a Stucky's, but we realized it was closed after pulling off the interstate.  Mom was overtaken by grief and left her mark on the empty building declaring the unjustness of a closed Stucky's.

Hopefully there were no security cameras.

There wasn't much until we actually got into ABQ.  By the time we got in, we were starving, so we stopped at the Frontier Restaurant, at the recommendation of a friend.  I had the enchiladas, and they were wonderful.

Next, we went to check into our hotel, and unload the somewhat obscene amount of souvenirs that were overtaking the backseat of the car.  

After checking in and taking a short nap, we headed into the mountains, to the Sandia Tramway.  We rode the tram up to the peak, at over 10,300 feet above sea level!

The views from the top were absolutely beautiful!

Tomorrow, we head up North to Santa Fe. We are excited to see more of New Mexico!

Stay tuned!

Changing Landscape

Over the past three days I have really enjoyed the beautiful countryside we have seen.

Driving from Oklahoma City west,  we saw endless rolling prairie (and lots of cattle).
As we crossed the Texas panhandle,  the terrain changes to beautiful grasslands (and more cattle).  So
flat, you could see for miles. When we stopped for gas, the brisk winds and crystal blue skies were wonderful, and I understood why ranchers and farmers love the out of doors.

Today as we crossed into New Mexico the terrain quickly changed  to rolling,
scrubby hills with beautiful mesas in the distance.  Rachel and I joked that we could
envision Indians up on the mesas planning their attack!  So rugged and yet so beautiful.

Also over the past three days we have realized there is a required wardrobe
necessary to live in this region...boots, jeans and a cowboy hat.  Now I'm not talking
about the kind you see in Nashville.  You know, the ones you see on lower broad
that just scream "I'm a tourist!!"  I'm talking about boots and cowboy hats that are a
way of life...and that are as acceptable in the board room as they are on the ranch.
I tried on hats several times, but then I think there would be a loud scream..."I'm
a tourist!!"

Greetings from Tucumcari, New Mexico!

We have wi-fi again!

So we have a lot of catching up to do!

Tuesday

On Tuesday, Mom and I headed west from Elk City, Oklahoma.  On the way, we stopped at the Groom Cross, a massive cross on the side of the road.  It was a stunning sight to see!

Our next stop was the Brittian Water Tower, a.k.a the Leaning Water Tower, just down the road from
the Cross.  It's no longer a functioning water tower, but it's a fun photo op!

 
Next was the (in)famous Slug Bug Ranch, a twist on Amarillo's Cadillac Ranch.  It was cute.

And yes, Mom and I left our mark!!

There was even an old (1920's or 30's) car on the property that has been taken over by graffiti as well.

Next, we headed South into Canyon, Texas to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  Since it's a state park, it hasn't been affected by the shutdown.  It was well worth the drive out there-it was gorgeous!

After spending time taking in the breathtaking views at Palo Duro, we headed back North to Amarillo, to our next pit stop, The Big Texan Motel.

As Mom called it, it was "adorably cheesy".  We had dinner at the on-site steak house, and I enjoyed a glass of their house brewed beer, Palo Duro Pale Ale.  The steak was wonderful-one of the best ones  have ever had.

Mom and I turned in to our Western themed room (complete with wood paneling and shutters instead of curtains).

Wednesday

Today was another fun filled day!

First, we visited the infamous Cadillac Ranch.

It was very cool.  There are layers upon layers of paint on the cars...on a few cars I think there is more paint than metal!

Next, we stopped at the adorable 1924 Magnolia Gas Station in Vega, Texas.

It's been fully restored, and its a great place to stop.

Next we stopped at the Midpoint Cafe, the geographical midpoint of Route 66, in Adrian, Texas.

We then began to head west into New Mexico.
Our first stop after crossing the border was TeePee Curious in Tucumcari. New Mexico.

Of course, it's shaped like a TeePee!!

Next, we cruised around Tucumcari, taking in the many beautiful neon signs, some working and some not.

We then checked into our motel, the Safari Motel, a Route 66 classic located right on Route 66.

Tomorrow, we head into Albuquerque, our final stop before heading home Saturday.

Stay tuned!!

Greetings from (wi-fi-less) Amarillo!

Hello from Texas!! 

Mom and I had a busy day today, driving from Elk City, Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas. We saw some awesome sights...but you'll have to wait until tomorrow because our hotel doesn't have wi-fi in all of its buildings. 

I know, I know, it's sad. But tomorrow you'll get DOUBLE the blog for the price of one!! :) 

Tomorrow we head into New Mexico, stopping in Tucumcari for the night. 

Stay tuned!! 

Greetings from Elk City, Oklahoma!

Our first stop this morning was Fort Reno, a fort that began as an army camp during the Indian Wars Era.  Not a lot of building are left, but what is left (like the officer's quarters and the chapel, below) are beautiful.

Our next stop was Lucille's Roadhouse, in Hydro, Oklahoma. Owned by Lucille Hammons and her husband, they served travelers along Route 66 during its heydey.  Lucille herself pumped gas for many years.

Our next stop was the newer, larger replica Lucille's Roadhouse, just down the road in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  Lunch was classic diner fare, and was great!

Next, we stopped at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.  They had some fantastic exhibits about the history of Route 66, along with some great memorabilia.

We came out to some beautiful retro cars in the parking lot and I couldn't resist taking a few shots.

The owners of these beauties had already driven Rt 66 all the way west, and were heading back east to Pennsylvania.

We swung by the Cotton Boll Motel, a Route 66 icon.  It's now a private home, but they've kept the sign.

Next, we headed into our next pitstop, Elk City, Oklahoma.

Tomorrow, we head into Texas!  We'll be stopping in Amarillo before heading into New Mexico on Wednesday.

Stay tuned!!