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| Somehow we got turned around while we were traveling from Santa Fe to Amarillo, Texas and ended up unable to get back on the highway. But luckily we saw the Highway 66 sign that we could get on and will take us right where we wanted to go. It was like an outer road just off the regular highway but was not a road designed for our kind of rig. With only two lanes and ditches on both sides there was no turning around. After about 25 minutes we turn a sharp right and are staring at this double tunnel under the highway. You can't really see it but on the right side of the front tunnel is a painted sign for Highway 66. Oh and our 5th wheel is listed at 13' 7", that gave us 3" to spare. There was no way we were going to start driving through those tunnels until I had walked to see what was around the corner and verify height and width. It was not as tight as it looked and after we made our left turn it was a short distance uphill to merge on another section of the remains of old Highway 66. A couple miles down the road and we arrive at our next campground. |
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| Our campground has an arrangement with the Big Texan Steak Ranch. The six passenger limo arrives at our site for door-to-door service. |
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| Big steaks and big brews. Lots of trophies on the walls and a couple good ol' boys singing "The Yellow Rose of Texas" at our request. |
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| The Big Texan Steak Ranch is the home of the FREE 72 ounce steak dinner (with all the fixings), if eaten within an hour. Besides the free dinner if you finish you get a t-shirt. Yeah! The raised stage has 3 guests and 3 open seats. Now imagine in your mind's eye the person who would want to eat 4.5 pounds of meat, salad, potato, roll with butter in under an hour. Let me describe the challenge record holder. Weighing in at 124 pounds and eating not one, not two but three 72 ounce steak dinners in 20 minutes flat and added 3 shrimp cocktails. And the winner is Molly Schuyler. Did I mention that she was pregnant at the time? |
Paol Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, Texas - 21 March 2019
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| Known locally as the "Grand Canyon of Texas" created by the Red River as the Colorado River ground out the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is the second largest canyon in the country. Many areas including the Visitor's Center, trails and camping areas were built by the Civilian conservation Corps more than 70 years ago. |
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| People have inhabited Palo Duro Canyon for about 12,000 years, including the Clovis and Folsom peoples hunting large herds of mammoth and giant bison. More recently, the Apache, Comanche and Kiowa used the plentiful resources. They left behind rock art and bedrock mortars, where they ground mesquite beans and roots for food. Once we found a cave, Tori was very interested in exploring on her own. While we were eating lunch two roadrunners were investigating the campgrounds for leftovers. |
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| This red soil is very easily eroded by rain or footprints. It literally crumbles under the slightest touch. Staying on the paths are imperative for slowing the natural deterioration. |
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| This tree is growing out of the center of this huge rock, splitting it open further and further as the tree grows. |
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| Taking the dogs off leash makes it easier for everyone to make the climb up to this cave. We wouldn't do that if there were others in the area or any wildlife. |
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| Tori off leash. She likes to go at her own pace but will stop climbing and wait for us to catch up. |
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| It doesn't go very far in but does have a hole in the roof where the rain comes in making a small pool that some visitors wade in during the summer months. Today it was dry so Tori didn't go for a swim. |
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| Public art installation by 4 artists of Ant Farm, Chip Lord, Doug Michels, Hudson Marquez and Stanley Marsh) created in 1974. Ten cadillacs buried nose-first and left out standing in a field. |
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| Over the years, other "artists" have added to the installation with layer after layer of spray paint. Sadly, the remnants of those paint cans are all over the ground. |
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| A lovely couple from Vancouver (originally Germany) who rented a truck drop-in camper and took their Freshman son's Spring Break on a road trip. She was kind enough to take our picture. The weather has turned chilly again with strong winds but some sunshine. Layers and winter coats were in order. |
Big Texans RV Park, Amarillo, Texas - Friday, 22 March 2019
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| A quite evening suddenly interrupted by blaring sirens and darkening skies. After seeing a dozen or so folks gathering near the emergency shelters we gathered our pups and decided safety first. Things were looking okay with just a little rain but the sirens kept going off. Suddenly, the hail started beating on the metal roof. That sent some of the furry friends into a panic. After four separate rounds of hail the skies began to lighten so we headed back home. In the morning, we got reports of a possible twister to the west and one to the east of Amarillo. Luck was with us again. |
El Reno West KOA, Geary, Oklahoma - Saturday, 23 March 2019
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| A brief stay outside of Oklahoma City. There was rain coming north of us. The building clouds made for a beautiful sunset. |
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| The double fence protect us from the short sighted and short tempered bison. Dakota and Bob better be careful of the alligators down by the pond. |
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| Home of the Kansas City Royals. Another drop in temperatures but the rain and snow had disappeared. Don't put the winter coats away yet. |
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| Batting practice by the visitors, Chicago White Sox. The expanded concourse allows total access views all the way around the field. The largest in-stadium solar array in the MLB which provides 36,000 kWh of renewable energy each year. The fountains (Water Spectacular) is the largest privately funded fountain in the world at 322 feet. |
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| Statues of several Hall of Fame inductees (George Brett) and the two World Series trophies (1985 and 2015). |
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| Left field view of the scoreboard (The Crown Vision) and a Royals themed carousel as part of the kids corner, with batting cages, base running, pitching mound, playground and mini golf. |
