Texas: Story and Photos
Shortly after entering Texas we found ourselves in Shamrock,
home of the impressive art
deco U-Drop Inn/Tower gas station. Unfortunately the old building no
longer houses
buisneses, however there is a Texas historical building plaque.
While on our way to Amarillo, our goal for
the day, we noticed a very odd leaning
water tower in Groom. Named the "Leaning Tower of Texas," the landmark
was built on
purpose with one short leg to get tourists to stop.
While in Amarillo we stopped at the world
famous Big Texan steak house. You
may have heard of their 72 ounce steak dinner. If you finish it in
a hour, it's free. Joe and I
had planned to give it a shot, but we wussed out when we saw the size
of the steak.
Besides the giant slab of steer, you have to eat a bread roll, salad,
shrimp cocktail, and
baked potato. Neither of us were that hungry, so we ate much smaller
steak dinners that
were excellent.
That night we stayed in the adjoining Big
Texan Hotel. The hotel looks like an old
west town, and features a Texas shaped swimming pool and saloon doors
in the rooms
between the bathroom and bedroom.
On our way out of town we had to stop at the
Cadillac Ranch. Back in 1974 some
rich guy planted ten old Cadillacs in a field. The cars attract graffiti,
which is encouraged.
Unfortunately we forgot to bring spray paint.
Before leaving Texas we stopped in the state
line ghost town of Glenrio. The town
had an eerie feeling, with many run down buildings. There were old
cars and trucks left
scattered all over the road, and no one in sight. We rode our bikes
past the pole marking
the border with New Mexico down the paved 4 lane road which soon turned
into gravel.
Not wishing to ride further without pavement, we turned around back
to the Texas side
and jumped on the interstate towards Tucumcari, New Mexico.
The "U-Drop Inn" in Shamrock, TX
The first Phillips 66 station in Texas is now restored in Mc Lean,
TX
The "Leaning Tower of Texas" in Groom, TX
The Big Texan steak house in Amarillo. Finish a 72 ounce steak dinner
in an hour, and it's free.
The Cadillac Ranch west of Amarillo
Click
here to see the New Mexico Story and Photos
This page created and maintained by Mike
Frankovich