Stephen H. Long Trail 1819 — 1820

Day 30: September 22nd, 2008 Tucumcari — Amarillo

Map Tucumcari to Amarillo

Just before seven in the morning I wake up. It’s no wonder that I am not able to make it earlier when it is always so late when I am able to go to bed. I put my stuff into the car and check out. Then I drive over to Denny’s just two blocks further down the road. Unfortunately, the service is now not as good as yesterday evening. Now I really have to watch out to get some more coffee. But against my expectation the food is really good!

Around half past nine I pay and drive two blocks further to the next gas station. Exceptionally, here is the gas station near the Interstate also not more expensive than the one in town. There I even have WiFi and can take a quick look at my emails before I drive on.

First I take the busy Highway 54 out of Tucumcari.

Highway 54, NM

Highway 54, NM

Highway 54, Canadian River, Logan, NM

Highway 54, Canadian River, Logan, NM

Highway 54, NM

Then I drive again over the Canadian River and through Logan, just like yesterday. But this time I stay on Highway 54.

Highway 54/Bell St, Nara Visa, NM

Highway 54, State Line NM and TX

Highway 54, State Line NM and TX

Highway 54, TX

FM767, TX

Only a few miles past Nara Visa I cross the state line to Texas. Then I turn onto the smaller FM767.

FM767, TX

FM767, TX

FM767, TX

FM767, TX

FM767, TX

In this area it is almost impossible to follow the course of the Canadian River. Therefore I drive kind of a zigzag route around the river.

FM767, TX

FM767, TX

At Channing I reach the bigger Highway 385.

Highway 385, Historical Marker Old Tascosa, TX

Highway 385, Canadian River, TX

RM1061/Tascosa Rd, TX

RM1061/Tascosa Rd, TX

RM1061/Tascosa Rd, TX

Highway 385 takes me over the Canadian River and on RM1061 in direction of Amarillo. Old Tascosa is only represented by an historical marker, where I stop to take a picture.

Despite the change of time zones I already check in just past 2pm at the Motel 6 in Amarillo. But I am already allowed to check in and receive a room on third floor — and here they even have an elevator!

I quickly put my suitcase into the room before I continue my journey into the city to reach the American Quarter Horse Museum. This is directly next to the Interstate and I almost miss the exit. However, I accidentally do not park in front of the museum but the office building. There are no signs or directions to the museum though!

American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Statue American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Entrance American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Entrance Area, American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Entrance Area, American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Entrance Area, American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

History American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

History American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

Statue American Quarter Horse Museum, Amarillo, TX

I take a couple of pictures from the outside before I enter the museum around 3pm. To my surprise the entrance fee is $6 instead of $4! That is pretty much. Indeed, everything looks really nice and classy and you really learn a lot about Quarter Horses and their whole history. But $6 is a bit too much for what you get in return!

The remaining two hours are not enough to really see and read everything. You could even spend the whole time in the history area. There I am able to work up to the 80s. Then the music “Happy Trail” starts and an announcement asks you to slowly leave the museum.

I take brief look at the gift shop. Then I take again some pictures from the outside. Finally I leave the museum area and drive on I–40 in western direction.

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

Somewhere around here must be the Cadillac Ranch, where a rancher put 10 Cadillacs into the ground as memorial or whatever. After a little bit of searching I find the place and take a couple of pictures and videos. The Cadillacs are all covered with graffiti, which is also intended here! Just for fun I try to turn one wheel and realize that even the differential is still working!

88 S10 Blazer, Cadillac Ranch, TX

Cadillac Ranch, TX

I take a couple of pictures before I drive back to my motel. There I first check the video taping of today. When searching for the Cadillac Ranch I also saw an Outback Steakhouse. This is my place for dinner tonight.

After dinner, I quickly drive over to Wal–Mart to get a new Jeans. But unfortunately they don’t have a 501. Around ten I am back at my motel room and start writing my diary first. Then I hurry up to get into my bed that I am eventually able to get up tomorrow earlier.

The next day is in preparation…