This day was chocked full of things to do, totally unexpected since I had only planned on seeing one thing while in Amarillo, Texas. Thus my inability to stay under ten photos in the gallery for the day. Before getting into that, I have to state my disappointment for not being able to cook anything today. There was a fire ban everywhere, and where there wasn’t I had no desire to cook as I was still full from my cold wrap and snacks I had earlier in the day.

Enough complaining, now onto the day. Since I had done so much extra driving the day before, I had time to take my time. I discovered service roads that run along the highway. The speed limit is a modest 55 MPH, something I was able to maintain. It also allowed me the ability to take photos of the sights I found worthy. I took many photos of windmills, mostly the new kind, but also the ones used many years ago. I missed the welcome center by a few miles by taking the service roads. When I discovered it, I decided to swallow my pride and backtrack. I am so glad I did.

The result of talking to the lovely women at the Amarillo Welcome Center yielded four things to do while there. First I went to the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum. This was a great stop. I don’t know if you remember my telling you early on in Arkansas I got lost for hours in Camper’s World. Well, I spent a good clip of time here too. They are very inspirational and have given me some good ideas on how to outfit mine. (I have a retro Go-Lite that needs a lot of help since a giant tree limb fell on it and damaged it a little more than cosmetically.)

After that I went to Palo Duro Canyon, a short 25 mile drive outside of Amarillo. It is quite a difference from the rest of the Texas Panhandle which is either flat or gently rolling hills. With 10% grades I took my time descending and climbing out of the canyon. I improved my gas mileage by 3 miles per gallon. I only took a short walk down to the little river that carved the canyon, then got back on my way.

I next decided to visit the Helium Time Columns Monument. This was just an interesting thing to check out. Check out the link to find out what it is all about. A very short jaunt and I was on to Cadillac Ranch. Some eccentric decided to bury 10 perfectly good Cadillacs and over time it had been spray painted. Now it is an ever changing art exhibit. The cattle don’t seem bothered by the commotion or the smell of spray paint.

So the day packed full of activities ended with me crossing into New Mexico and capturing their welcome sign that spanned the highway. I also crossed into the Mountain Standard Time Zone putting me two hours behind everyone at home!