drivetofive

Odometer:  482,842 miles

Trip Mileage:  1765 miles

It was another long day at the helm of the Legend as Kevin and I traversed the a few more states and captured some pieces of history in photograph.  Thankfully Kevin’s a walking/talking visitor map for most of the roads that we traveled today, so we were able to enjoy some of the sights that in my past travels I’ve just breezed past.  It’s hot and humid in Missouri and I’m exhausted but grateful for another day of safe travels.

First order of business this morning was visiting an original “Stuckey’s” gas station & C-store in Tucumcari, New Mexico.  Stuckey’s had its heyday in the 1960’s and has since dwindled to fewer than 30 still-operating original locations from 300 or so.  It’s a typical tourist trap complete with toys and souvenirs for travelers who are lured in by the (seemingly hundreds) of billboards practically begging for motorists to stop and take a look.  Kevin got some pecans and we were on our way.

I had a tough time getting a dial tone out of the pay phone on the side of the building!

The following picture illustrates a New Mexico landmark:  prior to each city on the interstate there are blue signs indicating just how many “modern” service stations each one has.

Leaving New Mexico.

We spent a lot of time today traversing parts of old 66.

Welcome to Texas.  Drive Friendly – The Texas Way!  I drove friendly.

In Adrian, Texas we made a pit stop at the Midpoint Cafe.  This location is exactly halfway on the old Route 66 highway.

Amarillo, Texas:  The Big Texan Steakhouse lures its clients in by advertising a FREE 72 ounce steak.  The only catch is that it must be eaten within an hour.  There are even LED-display timers in the banquet room for those who dare attempt such a feat.  I instead opted for the beef brisket.

Another Amarillo landmark is Cadillac Ranch.  This lineup of 10 Cadillacs buried nose-first into a field is located just west of town and passers-by are invited go “decorate” the cars with spray paint as they see fit.  Kevin captured this picture as we flew past on Interstate 40.

Oklahoma City, here we come!

“Tallest Cross in the Western Hemisphere” — as seen from I-40 in Groom, Texas.

Welcome to Oklahoma!

Come on Okies, take a stand!  Let’s clean up this littered land!  Cool signs at a building off old Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma.

This is a home in Erick with a yard littered with old signs.  I’d love a collection like that!

Here’s the public restroom (see sign!) at a supermarket in Erick.  Oh my!

Here’s a small town in Texas that looked just like a scene out of Radiator Springs in the movie Cars.  This is the “U-Drop-Inn” & Tower Station in Shamrock.  The 1936 art deco architecture has been preserved.  What an awesome piece of history!

Price on this pump is $0.38 a gallon.  Yes please!

After dropping off Kevin at the Oklahoma City “OKC” Will Rogers World Airport.

Met up with a good friend Grant at the Freddy’s Frosty Freeze after my airport run.

Couldn’t resist:  Phillips 66 Local Legends!

Tonight’s late-night arrival into Missouri and the town of Joplin.  Joplin is the site of some very recent (and devastating) tornado activity but in passing by on I-44 things looked to be looking pretty good in rebuild stage.

Zero car issues to speak of.  I did get a little bugged to pay $8 in tolls on the Turner Turnpike (I-44) in Oklahoma between OKC and Tulsa.  For gas I paid $3.78 today in Albuquerque, $3.79 in Amarillo, and $4.17 in Oklahoma City for Premium.

Onward ever onward!   Today’s roadtrip theme song in honor of my metalhead friend Matt is “Motorbreath” by Metallica.

This entry was posted on July 20, 2011 at 5:45 am and is filed under Legend, NALM, Road Trip. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.