July 3 Hillbillys and more deadends

July 3, 2004 

We left Clinton, OK bound for Amarillo and the Cadillac Ranch. We also wanted to see Debbie, the Maid of Honor in our wedding 20 years ago. We haven’t seen each other in 15 years.  Amarillo is also the very first paper I ever worked. I was the first woman photographer they had ever seen.  I didn’t last long in Amarillo.  Although it was filled with the nicest folks you could ever meet.  It was just a whole lot different than what I grew up with.  Most of you have heard the stories so I won’t bore you here.  Before arriving in Amarillo however, we stopped off in Erick, OK.  Where we met “The Mediocre Music Makers” Harley and Annabelle.  If you ever find yourself in Erick be sure to stop by for an attitude adjusting, mind bending, musical treat.  You can’t avoid Annabelle’s blue eyes, or Harley personality.  Harley says she stopped for a “break from the highway 20 years ago and never left.”  .If your lucky their friend Jim Hicks will be there and share with you his “thirsty stones” and Indian artifacts collection. They can be found in the historic “City Meat Market”, where the drinks are on the house and the antiques and entertainment will keep you talking for miles and days later

Well, after escaping Erick we turned down old route 66, towards Alanreed, only to see that the road turned into a bumpy gravel pothole infested ranch road.  After the second cattle guard crossing at Trew Ranch we chickened out and turned around. After much discussion we decided if we were ever going to make the Grand Canyon we would have to make a quick visit with Debbie in Amarillo and keep heading west.

We stopped to get cold water and ice cream bars, having a hard time finding real ice cream cones.  We met a junior champion bull rider.  Matthew Keyes says he doesn?t like horses, prefers to ride bulls.  He also says one day we will see him on the rodeo circuit.  His folks were very nice, made me remember all the kind people I met in Amarillo during my short stay, 25 years ago.  We also took some time out to sign the VW Bug ranch.  A tourist rip off, of the Cadillac ranch, but still fun. We will catch the Cadillac ranch on our way back home.  It was a short hello at the Amarillo Globe News where Debbie works now and a warning that we were heading west towards a thunderstorm.  Introductions were made to Ella whom Debbie never met and a few stories told of my time at the Globe-News and we took her warning and headed west.  We made a short stop in Vega, Texas to look at the boot bush and dot?s mini route 66 Museum. We drove through Adrian, Texas the Midway point on route 66, and again we were chased out of town by a dog this one was named Peanut.

We hit some rain and the most beautiful sunset you could imagine the kind that makes you realize why New Mexico is the ?land of enchantment?.

We pulled into Tucumcari just as the sun was setting.  What luck ?The Blue Swallow? had a room.  This just might be the most stunning neon motel on the Route 66 stretch so far.  The rooms have been wonderfully restored and if your not driving a 22.5-foot long Cadillac you have a private carport to park in. This is a must see if you ever arrive at sunset. It was also the perfect backdrop for Hannah to entertain all of us in the vintage circus outfit.  We have all laughed alot on this journey.  We all loved Tucumcari.  After a nice dinner at Del?s and downloading the days photos we all went to bed early.

July 2, 2004

We stayed in Claremore, OK at the Will Rogers Inn.  It was an interesting Hotel, But the room was clean and the pool refreshing. The girls spent some time swimming at the pool with the Enid, Oklahoma baseball team.  Then on the road early to the J.M. Davis gun collection Museum.  (if you like guns I recommend stopping.) Then up the hill to the Will Rogers Memorial, this one was really interesting.  Then on the road again, through Tulsa, Catoosa, OK City, Yukon.  

We met Paul W. Brown and his wife Geraldine.  It was her birthday!  He told stories and sent us to Hugo’s for a hearty home cooked breakfast.  (Did you know in Oklahoma, an order of Eggs Benedict, means eggs with Velveeta? I do now!) 

We stopped in Catoosa at The Blue Whale.   To bad you can’t swim there anymore.   We are still doing ok with out air conditioning but it is getting hotter.  Hannah drove for over two hours today while Rick rested in the back. Then on to The Cherokee gift shop in Weatherford, OK.  Where cowboys still ride in on horseback to “git a drink of tea.”  It was dark so not photos of the cowboys. Spent the night in Clinton, OK.  We plan to be at the Cadillac Ranch today!! 

July 1, 2004

July 1, 2004

Back on to Old 66.  We left Springfield, Mo. late this morning after the rain stopped.  First stop was a quaint little town called Halltown.  Chatted with Mike and Jerry they own a gift and antique shop on the old road.  The girls found purses, while Rick chatted with the boys; we were chased out of town by a mangy mutt. Farther down the road we found some of the original cement road, in what was Spencer, Missouri. We stopped in Carthage, Mo. to walk through some antique shops. While in the town we used the public bathrooms in the county courthouse, but not before taking a ride in the historic elevator still operated by a county employee.  While in Carthage we drove out to the Route 66 Drive in, the girls tried out the playground.  After a few spins it was off to Iggy’s diner for lunch.

Back on the Road. If we keep stopping at everything that catches our fancy we may never get home……..

An update in Clinton OK

July 2, 2004

This is just a collection of photos.  not the best connection here and we are trying ot get on the road will download all the cameras and attach better photos later.  We are in Clinton OK now.  The weather has cleared up Hannah has put in some serious miles so we are all doing well.  Sorry that caththis collection is not so organized.

 

Open road

Not sure when we will update again.  It is now thursday and it is raining so will talk to you all later.  Cheers!!

open road or dead end

June 30, 2004 Dead ends and open road.

We did a bunch of sight seeing and had a great a time.  The old road it tough to follow.  We have hit a bunchof dead-ends.  Often it runs right next to the main road.

Trail of tears

June 30, 2004    Trail of Tears an abandoned place.

Staying on the old Route 66 is tricky.  Have found several dead ends.  Somewhere, around Devil’s Elbow we found the strangest place.  It was an abandoned commune or tourist trap. We are not sure what exactly.  But we had to explore it.  This one deserves photos so please take a look.  Words cannot describe what we found.  This is a maze of walls build from cobblestone.  Ornate arches built the same way.  Water falls and fountains and cement figurines that are larger than life.   Boy it was intriguing.