Much of Route 66 in Texas has been built over by interstate highway 40 (I-40). Hubs and I managed to find a few sections of the original Mother Road, and chose to drive on them as much as possible, just to be able to say we did. It had a wonderful stepping back in time feel to it. My feature photo is of one such segment.
Yesterday was full of fun and interesting stops to check out many well-known attractions along the Texas section of Historic Route 66.
Our first sighting on Good Friday was The Groom CrossA small town with a big spiritThe Leaning Tower of Britten has an interesting history No matter where you look along 66, you’re time travelingMcLean, TX Museum was an amazing findHubs checking farming implements from days gone byAnother iconic Rte 66 stopThe Devils Rope Museum is massive inside Cute mock up of a 40’s DinerThis guy had a long trip Juxtaposition in Shamrock, TXShamrock, TX is the first Texas town along Rte 66 when coming from the EastThe iconic Conoco Tower Station and U Drop In CafeA tribute garden to Bill Mack, who was born in Shamrock Outside the U Drop In CafeLook who I found inside the cafe! Memories One must keep a watchful eye because the roadside history is continuous
Hubs and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of our last day (for now) celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. The anniversary lasts all year (the actual 100th birthday is in November), so we have plans for exploration of other sections later this year.
Along the way from San Angelo, TX to Amarillo, TX we saw some varied and beautiful scenery and enjoyed a couple of breaks from driving to check out attractions.
The weather has been more than cooperative with sunshine, warmth, and clear blue skies.
Breakfast and road snacks from our hotelNear Sterling City, TXRed Soil at Ackerly, TX. The white specks are debris from the cotton harvest
Our first stop was Lubbock, TX – birthplace of Buddy Holly.
After touring Clear Lake, Iowa on our way south this past fall, which I posted about here , we were interested in visiting Buddy Holly’s hometown.
Lubbock Texas has streets named after their favourite son.
There’s also the Buddy Holly Center which is a museum tribute to his life, and includes an art gallery inside an old attached train station.
Across the street, is The Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plazawhich includes the West Texas Walk of Fame – with inductees from the area named in plaques along a curved wall. Among the many inductees were Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard, Roy Orbison, and Dan Blocker.
We also toured the house of JI Allison, the first drummer for Buddy Holly’s band, The Crickets. In his bedroom was a piano and a drum kit and this is where “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue” were written.
I was in Rock n Roll heaven here.
Entrance to the Buddy Holly CenterMe with the famous glassesThis courtyard can be rented outInside the entrance Lots of reading involvedDoorway to the Art GalleryThree large sections for exhibitsOriginal doors to the old train station Hubs was most interested in the history of the train stationJI Allison’s gomeJI’s room in the homeBuddy and Maria Elena Holly PlazaFront of the old train station Dedication Plaque
From Lubbock, we made the 121 mile (194 km) drive to Amarillo, TX where we checked out our first stop on historic Route 66.
2026 is the hundredth anniversary of “The Mother Road”, so over the course of this year we plan to see as much of it as we can.
First stop: Cadillac Ranch
There’s spray paint everywhere Even on the pavement alongside the entrance Spray painted locks on the fenceThis truck pulls the souvenir trailerEvery souvenir you could want is in hereThe famous interactive art installation, created in 1974I took my turn at spray painting Hubs did some tagging tooThe Second Amendment Cowboy with a neon sign (one of many on Rte 66)A diner and gift shop behind the cowboy
For those of you wondering about fuel prices:
This is per US Gallon (3.75 liters) We saw it as low as $2.99 and as high as $3.99
Yesterday was a ten hour day, worth every enjoyable second.
Last Saturday, we took a little road trip to nearby towns to explore their main streets. We were also on the hunt for an infamous roadside tavern.
Many people we know here in south Texas had told us about the uniqueness of an establishment called “The Junkyard Bar”.
We’d passed the location several times over the years but had never spotted the bar.
This time, because we were paying attention, we spied the sign (feature photo)
There were no vehicles in the parking lot (except, of course, for the truck on the post) but we could see a young fellow cleaning inside so we asked if we could come in and take some photos. He told us that the bar didn’t officially open until 3pm but we were more than welcome to come in and take a look around, and he even offered us a beer.
We’d been told that this place is wall to wall people during opening hours, so our arrival time was perfect to explore and get some photos of things you’d never see if the place was packed.
I don’t know if you’d call it “atmosphere” but its decor (or lack of it) certainly lives up to its name.
I laughed at “No outside food or drink or drink”Stage is reminiscent of the old westI wonder how many actually payA tribute to a football teamThe BarThe tables have seen better daysIt makes one wonder Would hesitate to visit if it was rainingTiniest sink I’ve ever seenCorrugated metal stalls in the ladies bathroom Budweiser is famous for their adsThe fence on the hill behind hubs is a part of the border wallThe top of the original bar sign says EST 1957
Our bucket list hit yesterday was the town of Blue Earth, Minnesota – the home of Green Giant Vegetables.
We enjoyed visiting the giant statue of the Jolly Green Giant, as well as a visit to the museum on the same property, which told the history of this well known brandof canned and frozen vegetables.
That’s me standing between Jolly’s size 78 feet!Great info about the statueHubs and SproutLots of old processing equipment was on display in the museumGreen Giant Merch from the past was endless!I was surprised to see the Pillsbury doughboy there
Radically Retired 