My original trip plan was to spend the day in Amarillo… drive from Weatherford, TX to Amarillo and spend the night. As I was starting off my journey, I realized that Amarillo was a 5 hour drive northwest, whereas there were parts of the road that were much closer (Honestly, OKC would have been closer by far).
When I got to Peaster to get a drink, I pulled out the maps, and re-routed myself to Shamrock, TX to start my journey.
After driving through Joplin (Texas), past Wizard Wells, and through Iowa Park (not to mention Jacksboro and Wichita Falls), I arrived in Shamrock around 2PM. I stopped off at the Conoco tower when I hit town. Great Brisket Chili Dog (no beans!) for a late lunch. Before leaving town, I snapped a few photos, and picked up a few souvenirs.
After Shamrock, I drove on to McLean, to see the Devil’s Rope museum – an ode to barbed wire. Turns out, I was following a corvette club (middle aged and older folks) – many of them wearing the official corvette owner uniform… white new balance shoes, white socks pulled up mid-shin, khaki shorts with a belt, and a t-shirt tucked in. no photos – I was being nice to them.
I continued towards Amarillo. Unfortunately, I got there at 5PM… and everything on 6th was closed, except the restaurants. well… I figured I’d hit that up tomorrow. I could still see Cadillac Ranch after getting some gas.
Cadillac ranch was cool for what it was – I didn’t bother spending $7 on spray paint (They sell it there), just because whatever I painted today would be gone by tomorrow. After a few photos, I went and checked into my hotel, and then wandered off to find dinner.
Before trying to go to the Big Texan, I HAD to go to Buc-ee’s, since it’s… SORTOF… on Route 66.
Unfortunately, the Big Texan had a ONE HOUR wait when I got there. Nope. Had some folks tell me it was an overrated tourist trap. Instead, I went to Coyote Bluff Cafe for a Lone Star and a chili cheese burger – It was GREAT. When I walked up, there were two larger groups (5+ people) waiting for tables. It’s not a huge place. I walked in… and it was my lucky day! There was a single table for two, so I had immediate seating.
As I was sitting eating dinner, I happened to look at the radar – and a storm was blowing in from the west. I finished dinner, and went past the hotel to grab my tripod – I HAD to try and get lightning photos over the Caddies! I tried until the dust front came blowing in – since the caddies are a bit off the road, I didn’t want to get caught running across a dark, potentially muddy field. that was my cue to get back to the car… though I didn’t give up on photos – I grabbed a few more from the highway before the rain blew in!
