Amarillo to Oklahoma City
After a very nice breakfast at our extremely cheap motel, we took off for Oklahoma. The road across the panhandle of Texas is flat and straight as an arrow. It reminds me of the trip on I-5 through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (yawn!). One can get mesmerized by the straight lines dividing the lanes. However, there were a couple of interesting roadside sites: an old, abandoned water tower, leaning dangerously; and a cross of gigantic proportions. Nothing is petite in Texas. We could not stop to take photos - too bad.
At a rest area near McLean, Texas, we were wowed by the large size of the beautiful Art Deco architecture of the main building. That is my favorite style and this place is really wonderful. There are mosaics in the bathrooms (same in men's and women's) and I have taken a couple of pix - they are too big to fit in one frame! The interior looks almost like a train station from that time period (1930's and 1940's).
We made a short stop at the Devil's Rope and Route 66 Museum in McLean. It is not just about barbed wire ("devil's rope"), but about Texas ranching in general. It was bigger than expected, but no so large as to take hours to see all of the exhibits. I spent a few minutes speaking to a nice young man who is traveling to Oklahoma to chase tornados. I hope we don't have to worry about that! I must admit, though, I'd like to see one - from a safe distance of course. The fellow was happy to speak about his personal life, tragedies and triumphs. He was very interested when I told him about how I traveled on Route 66 as a child and teenager. The Route 66 section of this little museum is small, but enjoyable.
We next stopped at the Oklahoma Welcome Center, another very large rest area. It seems to be very new and it is beautiful. They have oak doors and window casings that are thick and heavy. The people at the counter, volunteers who give advice about traveling in Oklahoma, were absolutely delightful. Jag and I spoke to them at length about the best places to visit in Oklahoma City. They were very enthusiastic and the gentleman, in particular, had the wacky Oklahoma humor I so enjoy. I think the whole state is made up of men with the wit of Will Rogers, a native son. I took a photo of "Sam and Mira" with these two terrific people.
Shortly after leaving the Oklahoma Welcome Center, we crossed the famed Red River.
Funny sign just outside of the town of Clinton, OK: "Last gas for 200 miles (just kidding!)".
Our motel in OKC is very nice. It is only $50 per night and they include a hot breakfast buffet. The room is pretty. Despite being near the airport, the sound of the jets does not seem noticeable. The temperature outside is not too bad, but the humidity is appalling! I am not used to it at all. If it bothers me here, what will it be like when we get to the Deep South? Oy!
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