May 21st ~ TEXAS
The Cactus were in bloom
Back on Route 66, at least for a while today. Much of the old highway runs beside Highway 40, but sometimes it goes off on its own for a ways. We managed to get onto another section that turned into a dirt road today which kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
Along Route 66
I had been advised to purchase a Route 66 guide before we left.
I should have listened…
The hardest part of the day though was the WIND. Tim was white knuckling it for part of the way. Even as small as our RV is, we were getting pushed and shoved all over the place whenever a cross wind would hit us – which was far too often.
“Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation and sculpture in Amarillo, Texas, USA. It was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm.
The installation half-buried ten Cadillacs (1949-1963) nose-first in the ground. Installed in 1974, the cars were either older running, used or junk cars — together spanning the successive generations of the car line — and the defining evolution of their tail fins.” ~ Wikipedia
Tim and Joanne at Cadillac Ranch
Our first stop was at this famous and rather iconic landmark. You must park along the side of the road, enter through a cattle gate, and walk about 100 yards to get to the cars.
Entering through the cattle gate
Standing on end, the remains are garish and literally covered in spray paint graffiti. It seems to be the thing to do ~ bring your own spray paint, leave your mark and then add your empty can to the trash pile.
We saw numerous cans sunk in the dirt along the row.
There are large trash bins back along the road and people have been encouraged to PLEASE pack out your empty cans and put them into the dumpsters.
And nothing says TEXAS like a longhorn!
Longhorn
Palo Duro Canyon
“The Grand Canyon of Texas – The second largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle.” ~ Texas.gov/state parks
This was to be our destination for one night. We were in luck and managed to snag the very last RV camping spot within the park.
Our place for the night at Hackberry campsite
Teased as the second Grand Canyon, this is in reality the second largest canyon in the USA. Not as long, or deep as the Grand Canyon, but it is actually two miles wider and offers up some beautiful scenery of its own as well as many miles of hiking trails.
Map of Palo Duro Canyon State Park
List of hiking trails
The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) was responsible for building this park.
History of how CCC came about
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful to be in for the night and off the roads. Down inside the canyon we are partially shielded from the worst of the wind. I also got a kick out of seeing Cadillac Ranch. One can only wonder, “what was the man thinking” when he created this. And would he be surprised today, knowing what attention it draws from thousands of people each year.
A Note From Abroad 
Hey Tim and Joanne, this is Tip from TipandJaminWonderland. Loved this post. You are in our neck of the woods (sorta). We are now in the DFW area. Isn’t West Texas a hoot? I think Cadillac Ranch is the world’s most visited unmarked roadside attraction. So bizarre and with a bizarre history. We also loved Palo Duro Canyon. At one time they offered a cowboy breakfast where you would ride a horse drawn wagon out to the edge of the canyon and the company would provide eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, pancakes,etc. All the staff were decked out in western wear. While you’re out there, you may want to look south to Ft Davis and visit the McDonnel Observatory. They have an interesting nighttime celestial show where they show the cosmos. I saw some other posts that I had missed on your ledger so I’m going to check some of them out. Safe Travels. Tip
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Hey – thanks Tip. That cowboy breakfast sounds yummy. Wish we would have had time to go further south, but on a bit of a schedule to get to central Illinois in time for our nieces wedding.
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I have always really enjoyed west Texas. It is such a rugged yet strangely beautiful landscape. I like the photo of the abandoned gas station. Do you plan to follow route 66 through Oklahoma? There is a route 66 museum in Clinton that is worth a visit.
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Jeff, I think “rugged” sums up the landscape well. We will be on and off Route 66. Not sure if our time will allow for a stop in Clinton, but I have made a note of the museum there. Appreciate your input 👍
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I love this area of Texas, I went to college here. Great pictures!
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Thanks Laci. Hope this rekindled some good memories.
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Yes it did!
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Greetings –
A couple of Route 66 comments: I traveled part of it in Connecticut last week. If you are looking for ice cream stands, I think this is the place to be – I must have seen at least four between Willamantic and Middletown. Also, I read this week that there’s a cycling route that uses much of the old 66 to get more people on bicycles to do adventure cycling. I think it’s part of the US Bicycle Route System. It doesn’t look like you are carrying bikes, but maybe some of those following your blog would like the information.
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Thanks for the information. Ice cream stands are always a hit. Wondering if this is a different Route 66 you are referring to though as the Mother Road stops in Chicago??? And you are right, we are not carrying bicycles.
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Thanks for sharing!
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This blog earned a Bean Pat as blog pick of the day. Check it out at https://patbean.net
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Pat, we sincerely appreciate the honor of being your blog pick of the day. ❤️
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