I must confess that Amarillo wasn’t at all what I excepted. I was hoping for the cowboy town that I’d romanticized but instead got a smallish city that feels like its trying to be big. And not doing a very good job at that. But we were soon back on the Road and back to a simpler way. The Texas Panhandle isn’t more than a hundred or so mlles across and most of it looks like this.
There were only two real towns before we hit the Oklahoma border. The first was McLean, TX. It’s a windswept could-be movie set. The big attraction is a barbed wire museum which was
The rest of it kinda looked like this.
Next came Shamrock, where, according to the locals we talked to, “nuthin’ happens here ‘cept fer St Patrick’s Day.” OK book my ticket. But they do have a very nicely restored old fill in’ station downtown.
You’ve already seen our ride for this trip, but not everyone travels the same way, of course. How would you like to spend a week traveling like this?
Our last stop in the Panhandle was to examine another public art installation. Not to be outdone by Cadillac Ranch, I give you Bug Ranch.
And then, like someone flipped a switch, came OH-KLAHOMA and poof it was green!
The first Oklahoma town is Texola, So named because over the years Texas and Oklahoma have claimed the land under the town. It should probably be Texoka, but what do I know! As we meandered down old 66 we stumbled on barrel races,
put the top down,
And made it as far as the RT 66 Museum in Elk City an hour after it closed. So that was our stop for the night.
Thanks for riding along, keep those comments coming (have YOU commented to say HI! yet?) and we’ll see you tomorrow!
gone'splorin 
I hope Museum is a lot to see Nice writing about places as you pass Thanks dad
I came a little late into the Route 66 blog and realized that I was reading it backwards so scrolled down to the bottom to start at the beginning of your trip and suddenly I was in Cuba, another world for sure. Now, I am up to date with your 66 travels and enjoying your journey very much, you are not only a wonderful photographer but you are a very witty writer. I do feel like I am on the drive with you so keep the stories coming!
What a time, enjoy! Carol
Michael – Looks like a lot of fun – convertible no less – average temp is??
Mostly in the 80’s and VERY sunny, Phil. Very comfortable!!
What are barrel races? Do tell!
UGH! OKLAHOMA. Ken and I were stationed in Altus, OKLA. Can you imagine my shock as we drove in.. Leaving Cambridge MA and landed there for the summer!!!! It was quite an experience. Amarillo was stepping out on the town for us in those days. Speaks to what Altus was like for us. Your pictures bring back memories!!!!!!
Looks awesome. Really enjoing following along. Thanks for the great pictures.
Thrilled to have you in OKC last night. Looking forward to following the rest of your trip!
So nice to meet you and your friends!
Michael, Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Reminds me of a ride I took from Phoenix AZ to MA. Got stuck in Miami OK for a week, with a blown head.