Day 2, Little Rock to Amarillo and Route 66
Miles: | 628 |
Start Point: | Lonoke, AR |
Sun Rise: | 7:09 AM CDT |
Start Weather: | At 6:00 AM CDT the temperature was 70.9 ° with 86% humidity. The conditions were overcast with a wind speed of 1.4 MPH and wind gusts of 1.5 MPH. |
End Point: | Amarillo, TX |
Sun Set: | 7:22 PM CDT |
End Weather: | At 6:00 PM CDT the temperature was 82.5 ° with 22% humidity. The conditions were clear with a wind speed of 6.3 MPH and wind gusts of 9.3 MPH. |
Table of Contents
Today we visited some Route 66 sites I photographed earlier this year during my "40 to Phoenix" motorcycle ride. You can read more details about some of these places in that blog here.
Our favorite camping place, Walmart. There were 18 wheelers in this one. We have never seen that before.
We both like getting out early.
Neat video of transporting one of the blades for the windmills in the area.
Video
Transporting a single blade for a windmill.
This is the original Route 66 road near Oklahoma City, OK. Note the concrete, narrow lanes and the upturned edges of the road to control water runoff.
Original Route 66 roadbed
Original Route 66 roadbed
Laurie
Canute, OK, Route 66
Canute, OK, Route 66
Canute, OK, Route 66
Laurie doing a pole dance.
Bobby, Laurie
Bobby, Laurie
Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock TX
View a list of places like this or a map.theroute-66.com
nps.gov
The Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe is located along historic Route 66 in Shamrock and was built in 1936. With its Art Deco detailing and two towers, the building was designed and constructed to be three separate structures.
The first was the Tower Conoco Station, named for the dominating four-sided obelisk rising from the flat roof and topped by a metal tulip. The second was the U-Drop Inn Cafe, which got its name from a local schooolboy's winning entry in a naming contest.
The third structure was supposed to be a retail store that instead became an overflow seating area for the cafe.
A careful restoration was completed in 2003 recovering its 1940s charm. Disney - Pixar spotted the building and included it in their 2006 movie, Cars, styling the "House of Body Art", the business of the character Ramone after the Conoco gas station.
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Laurie
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Restored Magnolia gas station, Shamrock, TX
Restored Magnolia gas station, Shamrock, TX
1929 Gas Station, McLean TX
View a list of places like this or a map.nps.gov
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. The station operated for five decades before closing in 1977.
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Bobby
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
66 Super Service Station, Alanreed TX
View a list of places like this or a map.motortexas.com
This well preserved Historic Route 66 gas station is in Alanreed, Texas.
According to the historical plaque on the building, it was constructed in 1930 and owned by Bradley Kiser.
Unfortunately, there is very little additional information about Bradley Kiser or his super service station.
The building is currently owned and maintained by the Texas Route 66 Association. That should ensure its safety and preservation for years to come.
The architecture of this gas station seems to be very unique. It has a red Spanish tile roof but the building is constructed of a sand colored brick, probably a common local brick.
Another unusual aspect are the single columns supporting the two service area canopies.
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Ghost Town of Jericho TX
View a list of places like this or a map.theroute-66.com:
The creation of the National Highway System in 1926 with the Chicago to Los Angeles highway passing through Jericho brought some prosperity: travelers began passing through the town in growing numbers. Soon it had three stores a service station, garage and even a "tourist Court". Its local farmers shipped their grain out through the grain elevator.
Population peaked at around 100 in 1933, dwindling after that. It was a long downwards spiral: the post office closed in 1995, the tracks were abandoned and lifted in the mid 1980s, and the old buildings crumbled in disrepair. Now only crumbling walls and some concrete foundations mark the old town. The cemetery however is still in use.
Leaning Tower of Texas, Groom, TX
Elevation Changes During the Day
The day started at 425 feet and ended at 3,634 feet. The highest altitude was 3,634 feet and the lowest altitude was 250 feet.
Google Map Track Log
Wing World Article |
Topics
TagsConfederate Statues (32),Motorcycle (97),National Parks (9),Odd (1),Route 66 (33),Unemployment (6),Zombies (1)