Cross Country from New York to Arizona – Oklahoma to New Mexico

 We departed Elk City Oklahoma and started our trek west. We will try and make it further today, but there are no guarantees! We headed into Sayre on Route 66 and found the neon cactus at the Western Motel and the mural on the Route 66 Bar.

Erick Oklahoma is home to more than just Route 66. Roger Miller, famous for ‘King of the Road,’ … I know now you are singing trailer for sale or rent … and you won’t be able to get it out of your head. Oh how we digress … Roger Miller was a native of Erick. There is even a Roger Miller Museum here. It was too early to be open, otherwise we would have stopped for sure! Shep Wooley is also a native of Erick, he was infamous for ‘Purple People Eater’ song. 

There is a unique shop in Erick, Sand Hills Curiosity Shop. 

There was some different metal artwork along Route 66 into Erick.

 After Erick is the tiny town of Texola, I am not even sure if we can call it a town anymore. I found a run-down building of better days. 

Just before you go into Texas, is a Will Rogers Marker and a Route 66 painted on the road. 

We were finally able to get the real picture I have been hoping for … I wanted a picture of us on the road, with the Route 66 on the roadway. There was a cheaters version of this picture in the parking lot of the National Route 66 museum.

We moved into Texas on Route 66 with only a small Texas State sign. Much of Route 66 is on a north or south frontage road to Interstate 40. There is about only 150 miles of drive-able Route 66 in Texas.

Shamrock is the first town in Texas, automatically we thought of our very Irish friends, Bob & Marie. The Blarney Inn picture, is just for you two! 

Shamrock is known for the restored U-Drop Inn and Conoco towers. I have to admit the building and there towers are an awesome sight! 

However, we discovered many murals in this town too. 

Shamrock is home to the tallest water tower in Texas at over 170 feet!

In McLean, gas stations literally drove the local economy back in the day. In 1929, Phillips Petroleum chose McLean as the location for its first Texas station.  The building’s quaint Tudor Revival design complete with shutters and an exterior brick chimney reflected the trend of building gas stations that looked like cottages. McLean was also the last town to be bypassed by Interstate 40. After McLean the landscape becomes more arid.

We traveled on I-40 for a bit today and stopped at the WB rest area and learned about the wind power that is abound in Texas. 

We captured some awesome views of the prairies too. The wind turbine farms are everywhere and more were getting built!

In Groom, there are two unusual sights! There is the “leaning water tower of Groom.” One might think that it is falling over, but it was actually built that way, to attract attention to their town! Also, on the other side of the town is a BIG cross, 190 feet tall! It is 90 feet taller than the big cross we saw the other day in Oklahoma!

In Conway, there is a satire to the Cadillac Ranch … it is the Bug Ranch …. Have you ever seen a VW buried in the dirt? We have! West of Conway, the speed limit on Route 66 jumps to 70 MPH … I cannot imagine going 70 MHP on any portion of Route 66 that we have been on! With I-40 out of sight to the north, this section gives you quite an isolated old-time Route 66 feel. Never mind the new wind turbines that line the road!

You can see the Big Texan, from the “Home of the Free 72 oz Steak dinner.” He was not always along I-40, he only moved there from Amarillo Blvd when Route 66 was bypassed.

The one attraction I wanted to see for sure was Cadillac Ranch. You cross onto the property via a very narrow gate and you walk out to the Cadillacs. I have to admit, I was disappointed … yes, you read that right! Not in the art work that the Cadillac Ranch represents, that is amazing … it is the inconsiderate people that visit the ranch. It is littered with empty spray cans … I watched adults and kids, paint on the Cadillacs and drop or try and hide the can. If you carried it in with you, you should be able to carry it out! There are all kinds of signs encouraging you to pick up your trash and other peoples trash … I saw a few people do it … but I saw more add more trash to the area!

The next town we hit was Wildorado, where we saw millions, okay maybe only thousands of cows … yes, thousands! There was a very distinct odor in the air before and after this farm! I would advise you to roll up your windows and plug your nose!

The last 18 miles have to be on I-40, as Route 66 is a dirt option only at the last miles west bound in Texas. We crossed into New Mexico and decided we could make it to Tucumcari for the night. The landscape has defiantly changed as we move further west!

We are spending the night at Tucumcari New Mexico. It is a desert KOA, but has easy access. The couple that owns it are working hard to make it a great place! Our rate for a 30 Amp pull through site with some shade was $34.00 with our KOA Value Card. Good thing we got here early, as it has been steadily filling up. They have a café here that makes breakfast and dinner, they will even deliver to your site! We walked up to the café to have dinner. Charlie had Chicken Fried Steak, real mashed potatoes, green beans and a biscuit. I went for the cheeseburger and fries, both entrees were delicious!