From Shamrock Inn,
Shamrock TX
To Santa Rosa State Park
Distance traveled:
272 Interstate miles
+
unknown miles for route 66 byways
I was up early and got
some more work done on photo editing. Then it was time to pack and
get on the road.
 |
| the leaning water tower |
The route 66 signs got
me to the various off the interstate sections of the old route still
drivable. Mostly they were exits, see the remnants of the historic
buildings or even just a “ghost” town and then return to the interstate.
 |
| ...and the pavement ends |
Often the road was
closed with a barricade, or sometimes it just faded into a dirt road making it
clear that this was not the optimum way to go.
In this manner I saw the towns of McLean, Groom where I saw the
leaning water tower (http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/roadside_oddities/britten_leaning_water_tower/),
Conway and Glenrio.
 |
| Antique shops on the Route 66 strip |
In Amarillo I stopped at
the tourist information centre (the first once I have seen since crossing into
Texas). I got a wonderful map for the city and the helpful
clerk showed me which exit to use to get to the historic section. Most
of the old historic buildings now house expensive antique stores, but there
were some whimsical signs and the one restaurant especially showed great
nostalgic appeal.
 |
| Miles and miles of barbed wire fencing |
The road west continued
through wide open plains and as I passed the “fenced in” ranches I reflected on
the story of “barbed wire” and how it changed the west. Imagine
driving herds of cattle across this open expanse of country from grazing lands
to market. I am hurtling along at 75 MPH on the
interstate. It must have been one amazing journey herding
those cattle along riding horse from morning till night. How far do
you think they traveled in a day? Here I am complaining when
at the end of the day I have only covered 250 miles. I imagine that
distance would have taken 10 or maybe even more days following the herd!
 |
| entering motel strip on route 66 in Tucumcari |
After a few more side
trips to see historic relics I arrived at Tucumcari. The road sign
leading up to the town made it clear that it was a “hotel” town. That
role has not changed from the days when route 66 was a road to the west.
Then as now, the town offers a place to sleep before traveling on.
 |
| diving into the blue waters of the "Blue Deep" |
Continuing on I arrived
in Santa Fe and followed the helpful signs to the “Blue Deep”. This
amazing natural deep pool is a local hangout / swimming / diving hole. I
enjoyed watching adults and children alike jumping into the clear blue
waters. It is apparently 80 feet deep and people go scuba diving
here!
 |
| a view of the dam that creates the lake at Santa Rosa Park |
From here I had only a
short drive to Santa Maria State Park. It is located on a lake created
once again by the dam across the river. This camp ground offered
little in the way to shade as the desert vegetation tends to be short and scrawny.
And yet there was an amazing variety of wild flowers and
various cacti.
Also an abundance of
flying bugs of all sizes made for a challenging evening. I think the
bugs bug me way more than the heat of the region. The heat is offset
by the constant breezes, the bugs are just annoying. Even a liberal
application of bug spray did not deter the most persistent of the beasts. Finally
to get some relief I ended up getting inside my screened in cozy sleeping pad
with my book and read and enjoyed the sunset sheltered from the annoying flying
nuisances. The moon was a glowing display in the deeping
shades of the night sky hues and as darkness fell there was a bright glow
making me keenly aware that the full moon is now only days away.
It was with whisper of
the breeze and the glow of the moon that were my final waking sensations before
sleep took over.
Renate Dundys
Marrello
2014 – 08 – 06
Picture
link:
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