Day 3 - Part 1

Our first stop at about 830 in the am was at The Skyliner Motel.  We had originally made plans to stay there, but after reading some reviews we decided against it and stayed at a Best Western.  However, knowing that it was an original from the heyday of Route 66, we stopped to get pictures.

The drive started off overcast and windy (PW was hoping for a tornado sighting), but she was disappointed as the weather cleared up shortly after.  You know how they say Oklahoma is windy? It is.  And there are a lot of flies.  But it’s beautiful, with small rolling hills and open skies.  Today was going to be a shorter drive than yesterday, so we frequently got off of the highway I-40 West and drove on Old Route 66.  At one point we were cruising along at about 60mph when all of the sudden there was a sign that said, “road ends” and the road just disappeared into grass.  Luckily there was a short dirt/gravel road that led right back onto the highway.  Oklahoma also provided the opportunity for us to see real live Texas Longhorn cattle and many tumbleweeds.  

We made an impulse stop at  “Cherokee Trading Post” where they had “authentic” Native American pottery (some of which had a “made in Indonesia” sticker),  and jewelry.  We purchased magnets, gas, earrings, and took pictures near a huge Tepee they had set up.  The store was on top of a hill and provided an incredible view. 

We continued on our way and found Texas.  This has been my favorite part of the trip so far.  Texas is breathtaking.  It’s so open and there are plateaus and creek beds and the sky..  I’ve been lucky enough to stand on top of some tall mountains in Vermont and look out for miles and miles. But there was something different about this perspective of visualizing miles of land.  It’s so peaceful..I, I can’t explain it. I just loved it.  Everywhere you looked was beautiful land and colors and sky.  It was difficult for me to drive because I would just get lost staring out into the plains.  At one point, I tore my mother from a nap as I drove over rumble strips.  We had past a cattle farm and there were so many cows!! I mean thousands and thousands of cattle.  It has to be loud there.  And smelly. 

Texas is gorgeous.  This picture hardly captures it.  I thought of what it would be like to just run out into a field and get lost in the horizon; reach the point where you can’t see anyone, and no one can see you.  But because it’s flat, it’s not as though you are lost in a cleft of a rock or mountain side. You’re right there on the same plain, but out of site..

Anyway, back to present time and places.. 

We stopped in this little town called Shamrock, TX.  It is one of the iconic towns of Route 66 and was a large inspiration for the movie Cars. The people there were sweet and told us all about how “the highway” changed Shamrock from what is was, to what it is now; run down and emptying.  We ate at a diner in an old motel and it was really good food.  Once stuffed we got back on Route 66 and continued westward. 

The U Drop Inn

Aspects of Route 66 definitely have a sad feel to them.  These were thriving and at their peak of success, but that was 50 or so years ago.  Since then, they've watched people, shops, and business leave as they fail due to little or no interest in stopping and seeing that area.  Despite this, there are people who strive to maintain the original feel and flavors of the time.

Thanks for reading, I know it’s a lot.. but if you’re interested, Part 2 of Day 3 is a-coming up shortly.