Day #5 Leaving Amarilo

The day we are finally out of Texas.  Not that we don't love Texas, we have family from Texas and Aidan is a Texan by birthright.  It is just that we feel like we were in Texas forever.  We even left Texas once, but then came back.  Seriously.  I felt like it was groundhog day.  Aidan would ask me where we were every hour or so and I had to look over and tell him that we were still in TX. I'm sure you can imagine the look on my face by day #2, hour # 5 billion.

The weather has been much calmer.  Almost strange to drive the car without struggle today, but definitely more than welcome. Especially with the car top, the wind howls on a normal drive - with heavy wind, it screams.  Not going to lie though, any excuse to bump the music louder is welcome. No road trip would be complete without some good music. Funny enough, Aidan and I have a few of the same songs on our playlists - not sure what that says about me - or him.  Of course, Alyssa and Kailynn are happy in the other car listening to Disney music.  Disney is most definitely not on my (nor Aidan's) playlist.


Stop #1:  Ozymandias on the Plains - Amarillo, TX - Another oddity right off the interstate. Not quite what I was expecting, and not quite brave enough to hop the fence for a better look.

On the plaque:
"I met a traveler from an antique land 
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone 
Stand in the desert… 
And on the pedestal, these words appear: 
‘My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, 
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"

Stop #2:  2nd Amendment Cowboy - Amarillo, TX - This stop was not planned, but in true Stacy fashion, a U-turn was in order and we stopped to get a look.  If this isn't Texas, I don't know what is. 

Stop #3:  Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo, TX - While the pictures don't show it, it was a bit crowded here, even though it was still early.  I think if the weather was nicer, I would have preferred Slug Bug Ranch over this one as we were the only visitors.  As luck would have it, there was some extra spray paint and we got to place our own marks on the Cadillacs.

Stop #4:  Midpoint Cafe, Adrian TX - Halfway done with Route 66 (if we started at the beginning) and our last stop in TX.

Stop #5:  Kix on 66 - Tucumcari, NM - Not going to lie, this restaurant was all about Addie.  :)  I planned nearly every stop of this trip before we left and searched for dog-friendly restaurants and stop-points. The only places that were not required to be dog-friendly were those when we could kennel her and/or keep her at the hotel.  At Kix, Addie had her own doggie menu and dog bowls.  The human food wasn't too bad either!

Stop #6:  Tee Pee Curios in Tucumcari, NM - Of course, we had to stop at this iconic Route 66 stop for souvenirs.

Stop #7:  Apache Motel - Tucumcari, NM - Sad reminder of how popular Route 66 once was and how dilapidated it has now become.  Hotels and Motels everywhere that are closed and in ruins.  It seems as if there are more ghosts and memories hanging around than there are live, paying guests.  Those that are open and running, appear run-down with the vacancy sign glowing brightly.

Stop #8:  Blue Swallow Motel - Tucumcari, NM

Stop #9:  Blue Hole of Santa Rosa - Back in Santa Rosa, just not home.  We're in Santa Rosa, NM.  Kailynn was the only brave one to enjoy the cold waters of the Blue Hole. The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice.

Aside from the Blue Hole, there really isn't much in Santa Rosa, NM.  To give you an idea, Walmart is everywhere, but not here.  The closest Walmart is 45 minutes away and having lost my camera cable, I was not a happy camper.  Not a lot of food selection either, but the diner hit the spot. We're probably going to be tired of burgers by the time we get to CA.

I guess it's a good thing that I didn't plan on going swimming...

Getting ready to settle in for the night.  Tomorrow is a big driving day for the Murphy caravan.  Only a couple stops, but they should be fun ones.