I cannot begin to describe how full we all were on leaving The Big Texan Ranch in Amarillo, after last night's steak orgy! However we had one of the most famous, and prestigious Route 66 icons to visit, The Cadillac Ranch.
There are about ten cars half buried nose first into the ground - it is free to enter and a guy at the entrance who sells knick-knacks made from Cadillac paint, and tins of spray-paint. Simple idea here - visitors have free rein to graffiti the buried cars. So we did!
However there is a sign outside the perimeter saying it is forbidden to graffiti anything beyond!!
The famous (and I mean famous in Route 66 circles) Magnolia Gas Station in Vega was next for a quick photo before getting on down the road to the Route 66 Mid Point - I felt slightly disappointed we were half way already - even more so when we realised all but the smallest of gift shops were closed. It was bloody hot... but obligatory photos taken and we were "on the road" again.
The town of Glenrio I think is typical of where the whole Route 66 vibe is going. It is an infamous ghost town - all that is left is a few scattered but vandalised buildings that offer a strange juxtaposition against today's modern commercialised lifestyle. It most definitely feels sad, but that is due to us Brits not being rich on space. I certainly felt the history here - but it is a depressing feeling about the wastage and lack of rekindled nostalgia.
On the route, there are a significant number of wind farms - something I never have really considered before is the maintenance and repair of such structures. Today we saw one of the colossal blades on the back of a lorry - he was not travelling slowly and took us an age to get past!
And then of course, we arrived at the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa - a mega deep natural pond that maintains its water temperature to within a couple of degrees all year round. There has been, sadly, a bit of a structural failure deep under water and the pond, or hole, is closed to the public. It is renowned as a Route 66 swimming spot, a great place to cool off after suffering the incessant Texan sun. Also, divers go deep... well they used to.
Here though, we encountered our first MAGA-Loon. He approached us as we were taking the photos, and started his diatribe about how Biden was stealing the water from here, how there was no structure failure, and effectively the US Government were allowing the poor to starve and die. He spoke of national revolt against the government, rising up and killing anyone who opposed them. He spoke of conspiracy against The Donald, and how only one candidate could restore the decent American dream.
His lack of critical thinking is not new - we have all seen it on the TV where people regale about Trump... but what surprised me was his highly articulate nature - he was obviously a highly intelligent man. It was most peculiar, and I was quite pleased to be getting away.
Albuquerque is home to the Breaking Bad filming locations - Twisters is better known as Los Pollos Hermanos (yes Lynn has the T-Shirt). Walter White's house is actually owned by someone living there and apparently and understandably gets mega frustrated at the visitors... hence the cones.
The office of Saul Goodman is in a standard US precinct, and A1A Car Wash, where the White's laundered all those millions of dollars has to be on the visit list, especially as the car was filthy!
Albuquerque is rather a cool place - it is massive, it is hot and dusty! But it is cool and I do recommend it for a visit if you ever get the chance. Last night's steak was still causing a meat hangover so it was a very light meal tonight - Ella had been banging on about the chain Chipotle so we did that - it was surprisingly pleasant - rather like subway but with burritos! However if you ever do Chipotle, when the lady says do you want hot, medium or low spice chilli sauce, ignore the bravado and go medium or low. I went hot (my thinking was - it is fast food, it can't be that hot)! Oh how wrong I was!
Back in the room, we were able to watch the sunset - which looked rather sweet across the city lights. All in all another fantastic day. I am not buying totally into the Route 66 thing - but the scenery, the people, the food and the experience is truly amazing.
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