Getting our kicks on Route 66

After a leisurely morning sitting at the picnic table, drinking coffee and enjoying the pleasant 72-degree day, we packed up and left Witchita Falls, heading for New Mexico.

The drive across western Texas brought even more dramatic changes in the terrain. Very quickly the flat country-side became more dry and less green. We frequently saw these large windmills, often in huge windmill farms. We stopped at a rest stop and two things were alarming – first of all, there was a designated tornado shelter. The second warning was even scarier – warning signs about rattlesnakes. And not just one warning sign. They were posted about every 15 feet or so, all around the property, including one on either side of the walkway leading to the restrooms. Jim stayed in the car to finish a phone call, and after thinking it over for a minute, I returned to the car and was very grateful that our camper had a bathroom because there was no way I was venturing into that ladies room on my own, and Jim seemed reluctant to accompany me in there.

That took me a little while to recover my wits but soon we were enthralled with the dessert landscape. For miles,

there would be no sign of water, no shade, just an occasional small group of cattle or horses. And then, just as abruptly, a butte would rise up from the dessert and then just as quickly the land would once again be flat. I’ve really not seen anything quite like it.

As we began to approach old Route 66, we started seeing a few signs of civilization and one of the most interesting was the Cadillac Ranch-- Ant Farm. The Ant Farm was a group of 1970-era artists who were sponsored by an Amarillo billionaire who wanted to exhibit some art to shake up the mainstream. Their largest creation is the Cadillac Ranch – a series of Cadillacs buried nose down in the desert with their tail fins pointing into the sky. They range from 1940 to mid-1960’s. People bring spray paint cans and add their own touch of art to the creation.

We continued down Route 66 and into New Mexico (timezone change again – now it’s Mountain Time).

The little town of Tucumcari, NM was our destination and the KOA campground is our home for the evening. We ventured into town to the PowWow Restaurant and Lizard Lounge for dinner. The outside made us second-guess our decision but we decided to take a look inside anyway and we were so glad we did.

This town is well-known for murals painted in various locations, and the booth wall in the dining room had been painted with murals that made it appear that each booth was occupied. The friendly staff served Southwestern favorites such as the fajitas that I had, and a delicious ribeye for Jim. The fajitas were really terrific with all of the fixings that make them so popular – homemade guacamole and pico de gallo, red rice and refried beans and delicious handmade tortillas (although the waitress confessed they don’t make them there).

Wonderful dinner and now to bed – we’re exhausted. Between the heat and the time changes, we just need rest.

Wonderful dinner and now to bed – we’re exhausted. Between the heat and the time changes, we just need rest.