Two Days to Dallas – Day 2: Eagle, Colorado to Dallas

Heading south on US 24 towards the Sangre de Cristo range
Heading south on US 24 towards the Sangre de Cristo range

I began Day 2 of my trip from Idaho to Dallas with an early morning in Eagle, Colorado.  It would turn out to be a long day and I would actually end up stopping overnight in Wichita Falls, TX due to the length of the day.  Following is the route all the way to the Dallas area.


View Larger Map – Eagle, Colorado to Dallas, TX

After a late night into Eagle, I had no idea what I would see when I awoke.  I had an early start, at about 6:30 AM and when I walked out of the hotel, this is what I saw…

Morning view from Hotel in Eagle, Colorado
Morning view from Hotel in Eagle, Colorado

From Eagle I had to back track on I-25 heading east to Vail in order to get on US Route 24 heading south.  Along the way I made a quick stop at a viewpoint in Edwards, Colorado.

View of the Rocky Mountains south of Edwards, Colorado
View of the Rocky Mountains south of Edwards, Colorado

I made it to US 24 south and drove through the small mountain town of Minturn, Colorado….followed a motorcycle all the way through town.

Minturn, Colorado
Minturn, Colorado

US Route 24 actually gets its start (really is the terminus) of US 24, which is predominantly an E-W highway of 1,540 miles beginning in Clarkston, Michigan and progressing west through Toledo, Ohio then through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas and eventually into Colorado.

US 24 north of Redcliff, Colorado
US 24 north of Redcliff, Colorado

Near Redcliff, Colorado US 24 crosses over the Eagle River on the Green Bridge, a beautiful span.

Green Bridge, near Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge, near Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge near Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge near Redcliff, Colorado
A view of Green Bridge from below
A view of Green Bridge from below

I drive into Redcliff just to see what it was all about.  A nice quiet little town in a valley. A few artists and some hotels and restaurants. At 8,650 feet above sea level, Red Cliff boomed at the turn of the 20th century as a mining town with saloons, a bank, sawmills and even an opera house.  The town was mapped and patented in 1883 by the U.S. government.

Red Cliff, Colorado
Red Cliff, Colorado
Nice carved eagle in Redcliff, Colorado
Nice carved eagle in Redcliff, Colorado
Interesting metal fabrications in Redcliff, Colorado
Interesting metal fabrications in Redcliff, Colorado
Another metal piece in Redcliff, Colorado
Another metal piece in Redcliff, Colorado

US 24 follows the Eagle River for many miles.  When I was driving the rover was rough with all of the spring runoff.  Really a wonderful sight to see.

Eagle River along US 24 south of Redcliff, CO
Eagle River along US 24 south of Redcliff, CO

The drive through the White River National Forest is beautiful and truly, US 24 is one of Colorado’s great scenic routes.  Following are a few scenes from the drive.

US Route 24 heading south from Redcliff
US Route 24 heading south from Redcliff
Near Camp Hale, Colorado
Near Camp Hale, Colorado
Mountain Scene from Route 24 in Colorado
Mountain Scene from Route 24 in Colorado
Mountains reflect off of Bolts Lake as seen from US 24 S in Colorado
Mountains reflect off of Bolts Lake as seen from US 24 S in Colorado
Scenic Drive Sign - Top of the Rockies Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive Sign – Top of the Rockies Scenic Drive
US Route 24 approaching Tennessee Pass
US Route 24 approaching Tennessee Pass with a view of the Sawatch Range
Tennessee Pass, Continental Divide and 10th Mountain Division Memorial
Tennessee Pass, Continental Divide and 10th Mountain Division Memorial

Tennessee Pass is at an elevation 10,424 ft and was probably the highest point of any of my trips this year so far.  The pass traverses the continental divide north of Leadville in a gap between the northern end of the Sawatch Range to the west and the northern end of the Mosquito Range to the east. It connects the headwaters of the Arkansas River to the south with the upper valley of the Eagle River to the north.  The summit of the pass is the location of Ski Cooper, a ski area in the San Isabel National Forest. Most of the area is above the tree line, providing a panoramic view of the peaks of the Sawatch Range to visitors. The area was also formerly a World War II training ground for U S Army troops of the 10th Mountain Division from nearby Camp Hale. A memorial to the troops of the division is also located at the summit of the pass just a few yards from the sign pictured above.

The Sawatch Range - includes Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in the Rockies at 14,400 feet
The Sawatch Range – includes Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in the Rockies at 14,440 feet

The Sawatch Range includes eight of the 20 highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, including Mt. Elbert, 14,400 feet; Mt. Massive, 14,428 feet; Mt. Harvard, 14,421 feet; La Plata Peak, 14,368 feet and more.

Mt. Massive (14,421 feet) as seen heading south on US 24 towards Leadville.
Mt. Massive (14,421 feet) as seen heading south on US 24 towards Leadville.
Another view of the Sawatch Range in Central Colorado
Another view of the Sawatch Range in Central Colorado
Old barns in the shadow of the Sawatch Range as seen from US 24
Old barns in the shadow of the Sawatch Range as seen from US 24

After coming down into the valley I approached Leadville, Colorado. Situated at an elevation of 10,152 feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States (Alma, Colorado is the highest municipality). Leadville was a Silver Mining town and still houses a number of historic buildings.  I spent a while driving around this beautiful town.

Entering Leadville, Colorado
Entering Leadville, Colorado
Welcome to Leadville sign
Welcome to Leadville sign
Colorful homes and scenic mountains in Leadville, CO
Colorful homes and scenic mountains in Leadville, Colorado.
Downtown Leadville, Colorado
Downtown Leadville, Colorado
Famous Golden Burro Cafe in Leadville
Famous Golden Burro Cafe in Leadville (see their site here)
Mountains over Leadville, Colorado
Mountains over Leadville, Colorado
Old neon sign in Leadville, CO
Old neon sign in Leadville, CO
Main street in Leadville, Colorado
Main street in Leadville, Colorado
Large wall mural in Leadville, Colorado
Large wall mural in Leadville, Colorado
Old wall advertisement in Leadville, Colorado
Old wall advertisement in Leadville, Colorado

The Leadville Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. It includes 67 mines in the mining district east of the city up to the 12,000 foot level, and a defined portion of the village area, with specific exclusion of various buildings. Principal historic buildings in the district are: Tabor Grand Hotel, St. George’s Church, Annunciation Church, Tabor Opera House, City Hall, Healy House, Dexter Cabin, Engelbach House, and Tabor House, as well as mining structures and small homes.

Silver Dollar Saloon storefront - Leadville, Colorado
Silver Dollar Saloon storefront – Leadville, Colorado (website)
Unique architecture - colorful Victorian designs
Unique architecture – colorful Victorian designs
Annunciation Church, Leadville, CO
Annunciation Church, Leadville, CO
Victorian Design - Leadville, Colorado
Victorian Design – Leadville, Colorado
More color in Leadville
More color in Leadville
Another town shot of Leadville, Colorado
Another town shot of Leadville, Colorado
Colorful building facades in Leadville
Colorful building facades in Leadville

Heading south out of town I came across some unusual rocks with Boom Days written on them.  I took a few photos of them, but really had no idea what it was until I was researching for this post. Leadville Boom Days” is a Colorado Mountain Festival and historical celebration of the Old West, with gunslingers, burro races, contests of mining skill, and a street fair with over 100 food and craft booths. This annual event was selected by Colorado for documentation and preservation by the U.S. Library of Congress as a Local Legacy of national interest.  It appears that the rocks are part of the Mining Skills events.

Boom Days 2010 Rock - Leadville, CO
Boom Days 2010 Rock – Leadville, CO
More Boom Days Rocks
More Boom Days Rocks

Route 24 heads west and then south out of Leadville as it continues through the mountains, with the Sawatch Range on the west and the Mosquito Range to the east. The drive heads toward the source of the Arkansas River just south of Buena Vista, Colorado.

US 24 west out of Leadville, Colorado
US 24 west out of Leadville, Colorado
US 24 heading toward the Mosquito Mountain Range south of Leadville
US 24 heading toward the Mosquito Mountain Range south of Leadville
Arkansas River Headwaters near Buena Vista, Colorado
Arkansas River Headwaters near Buena Vista, Colorado

Buena Vista is a small town but seems to draw a ton of visitors due to the thrill seekers that want to raft the rough waters of the Arkansas River.

Historic Buena Vista, Colorado
Historic Buena Vista, Colorado
Buildings in Buena Vista
Buildings in Buena Vista
A Wall advertisement in Buena Vista
A Wall advertisement in Buena Vista
The Lariat bar and Grill in Buena Vista, CO
The Lariat Bar and Grill in Buena Vista, CO (website)
Old Saloon Sign in Buena Vista
Old Saloon Sign in Buena Vista
Punky's Cafe - love the name
Punky’s Diner – love the name (website)

But the main reason Buena Vista is busy, as noted above, appeared to me to be the river rafting…

Kayaks in Buena Vista
Kayaks in Buena Vista
Rafts in Buena Vista
Rafts in Buena Vista
People prep for a rafting trip
People prep for a rafting trip

There are many historic buildings in Buena Vista, but the courthouse was most scenic

Courthouse in Buena Vista, Colorado
Courthouse in Buena Vista, Colorado
Buena Vista Banner
Buena Vista Banner

And then there is the really unusual shop in the middle of town…a hoarder’s paradise.  Every so often I come across these types of places and have to get a couple of shots due to their unique quirky nature…

The Showplace of Be Amazed
The Showplace of Buena Vista – Be Amazed
Dandest Store in Town - Buena Vista, Colorado
Darndest Store in Town – Buena Vista, Colorado
No Junke - Good Stufff - Buena Vista, CO
No Junke – Just Good Stufff – Buena Vista, CO
Some of the Good Stufff
Some of the Good Stufff
We R Superb - We Are Unique
We R Superb – We Are Unique
More uniqueness
More uniqueness
Old Skull - Buena Vista, Colorado
Old Skull – Buena Vista, Colorado
Look at This - Goodies
Look at This, We Do Excitement – Goodies

Couldn’t resist this unique and offbeat shop….next it was south to Salida as US 24 turned into US 285 and then onto Colorado Hwy 291.

US 24 south from Buena Vista
US 285 south from Buena Vista

Where Buena Vista seemed like a party town – rafting and drinking – Salida, Colorado seemed more of a town focused on unique art shops and other touristy things.

Welcome to Salida, Colorado
Welcome to Salida, Colorado

According to the Salida website, the “charming downtown area, the largest historical downtown district in Colorado, is home to blocks of Victorian buildings with fantastic restaurants, inspiring galleries, tempting boutiques, outdoor sports stores, and an array of shops for kitchen, kids, books, knitters and quilters. It’s a great place to stock up or find a unique gift to take home.”  And, indeed, I saw some unique things in Salida, including a giant dragon!!

Downtown Salida, Colorado
Downtown Salida, Colorado
Laughing Ladies Cafe - Salida, Colorado - love the name and the sign
Laughing Ladies Cafe – Salida, Colorado – love the name and the sign (website)
Enjoy Salida wall mural - beautifully colorful
Enjoy Salida wall mural – beautifully colorful
Dragon head - Salida, Colorado
Dragon head – Salida, Colorado
Metal Horse and Elk - Salida, Colorado
Metal Horse and Elk – Salida, Colorado
Metal ostrich in front of a home on Salida, Colorado
Whimsical metal ostrich in front of a home on Salida, Colorado
Odd metal buffalo in Salida, Colorado
Odd metal buffalo in Salida, Colorado
Strange colored tree in Salida
Strange colored tree in Salida
Another shot of the Salida Dragon
Another shot of the Salida Dragon

And then, like so many towns, there are the old wall advertisements

Martin's Show Repair wall ad - Salida, Colorado
Martin’s Show Repair wall ad – Salida, Colorado
Enterprise bakery wall ad - Salida, Colorado
Enterprise bakery wall ad – Salida, Colorado

From Salida it was south on US Route 50 continuing along the Arkansas River.  Along the way I passed a nice buffalo statues and an elk, by a taxidermy place.

Buffalo south of Salida
Buffalo south of Salida
G.B. Taxidermy, Salida, Colorado
G.B. Taxidermy, Salida, Colorado
Heading south on US 24 towards the Sangre de Cristo range
Heading south on US 50 towards the Sangre de Cristo range

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains run north and south along the east side of the Rio Grande Rift in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. In 1719 the Spanish explorer Antonio Valverde y Cosio named the Sangre de Cristo (“Blood of Christ”) mountains after being impressed by the reddish hue of the snowy peaks at sunrise.  Blanca Peak is the highest of these mountains at 14,345 feet.

US 50 south near Cotopaxi, Colorado
US 50 south near Cotopaxi, Colorado

I followed US 50 all the way to Cotopaxi.  This particular weekend saw much of US 50 south of here closed due to major forest fires near Canon City and the Royal Gorge.  At Cotopaxi, I took a small county road (CO Cty Rd 1A) southeast across to CO Hwy 69.  I am glad I did too…it was a beautiful drive along the ridges of the Northern Sangres de Cristo range.  Wildflowers were in bloom everywhere and there were some spectacular mountain views.

Cotopaxi Store, Cotopaxi, Colorado
Cotopaxi Store, Cotopaxi, Colorado
Delicate purple wildflower seen on CO Cty Hwy 1A near Cotopaxi
Delicate purple wildflower seen on CO Cty Hwy 1A near Cotopaxi
Cute yellow wildflowers as seen on CO Cty Hwy 1A
Cute yellow wildflowers as seen on CO Cty Hwy 1A
Another yellow woldflower
Another yellow wildflower
Mountain scenes on CO Cty Hwy 1A SE of Cotopaxi, Colorado
Mountain scenes on CO Cty Hwy 1A SE of Cotopaxi, Colorado
Sange de Cristo Range near Cotopaxi as seen from CO Cty Hwy 1A
Sange de Cristo Range near Cotopaxi as seen from CO Cty Hwy 1A
Another mountain shot from Cty Hwy 1A
Another mountain shot from Cty Hwy 1A
Mountains as seen from near Maytag Ranch on CO Hwy 69
Mountains as seen from near Maytag Ranch on CO Hwy 69
More mountains as seen from CO Hwy 69
More mountains as seen from CO Hwy 69

From here it was on to Westcliffe, Colorado

CO Hwy 69 heading into Westcliffe, CO
CO Hwy 69 heading into Westcliffe, CO
Lady Unique Boutique - Westcliffe, Colorado - love the name
Lady Unique Boutique – Westcliffe, Colorado – love the name

Westcliffe, Colorado is a quaint little town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  The town has a population of a little over 500 and is at 7,888 feet.

Westcliffe Town Hall, Westcliffe, Colorado
Westcliffe Town Hall, Westcliffe, Colorado
Flowery Walls in Westcliffe, Colorado
Flowery Walls in Westcliffe, Colorado
A nice bronze in downtown Westcliffe
A nice bronze in downtown Westcliffe

Out of Westcliffe CO Hwy 69 heads south towards the Wet Mountains.

Wet Mountains in Southern Colorado
Wet Mountains in Southern Colorado
CO Hwy 69 south towards the Wet Mountains
CO Hwy 69 south towards the Wet Mountains

There are apparently buffalo ranches nearby, but I saw no buffalo.  This was the only sign of buffalo…

Buffalo are dangerous - seen on CO Hwy 69 north of Gardner, Colorado
Buffalo are dangerous – seen on CO Hwy 69 north of Gardner, Colorado
CO Hwy 69 approaching Gardner, Colorado
CO Hwy 69 approaching Gardner, Colorado

I entered the small town of Gardner, Colorado.  This is another historic little town.  It has a unique little food store known as the “H Food Store” short for Huajatollas Foods.

Huajatollas Foods - H Food Store - Gardner, Colorado
Huajatollas Foods – H Food Store – Gardner, Colorado
Colorful H Food Store in Gardner, Colorado
Colorful H Food Store in Gardner, Colorado
Old Liquor Store in Gardner, Colorado
Old Liquor Store in Gardner, Colorado

I continued southeast on Highway 69 and ran across this old building near Farisita.  Not sure it was a church or a school.  Could have been both.  The windows certainly hint that it was an old church.

An old school south of Gardner, Colorado on CO Hwy 69
An old school or church near Farisita, Colorado on CO Hwy 69 – old Mexican architecture

From Farisita the highway continued towards Walsenburg, but I chose to hop onto I-25 (The John F. Kennedy Memorial Freeway) and head south east towards Trinidad and Raton, New Mexico.  After all of the nice weather, I hit the freeway and some typical afternoon desert showers.

CO Hwy 69 between Farisita, CO and Walsenburg, CO
CO Hwy 69 between Farisita and Walsenburg, CO
Rain in the distance heading south on I-25 from Walsenburg
Rain in the distance heading south on I-25 from Walsenburg
Wet highway on I-25 between Walsenburg and Trinidad
Wet highway on I-25 between Walsenburg and Trinidad
I-25 East towards Trinidad, Colorado
I-25 East towards Trinidad, Colorado

On the approach to Trinidad, Colorado, the view of the buttes and the mesas was spectacular.  The rain had left a bit of a haze in the sky and the air was still quite warm.  As I drove through Trinidad, I saw things I would have liked to have stopped for.  Unfortunately, I chose to zip through.  I most certainly will plan a stop here if I am ever in the region again.

Historic Raton Pass on Colorado - New Mexico border
Historic Raton Pass on Colorado – New Mexico border

Continuing south took me over Raton Pass (7834 feet) which is on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado-New Mexico border. Raton Pass is a federally designated National Historic Landmark. Ratón is Spanish for “mouse.”

Welcome to New Mexico at Raton Pass
Welcome to New Mexico at Raton Pass

After entering New Mexico, the freeway snaked down from Raton Pass into the historic town of Raton. This area was along the Santa Fe Trail and eventually was a stop on the Santa Fe railroad, which was the catalyst to bringing this town into existence.

Raton sign on hill
Raton sign on hill
Main Street in Raton, New Mexico
Main Street in Raton, New Mexico
Raton Theatre - still used for showing movies
Raton Theatre – still used for showing movies

Many “Route 66” type of motel signs and neon can be found in Raton, though Raton was not on Route 66.

Crystal Cafe neon in Raton, NM
Crystal Cafe neon in Raton, NM
El Kapp Motel neon in Raton, New Mexico
El Kapp Motel neon in Raton, New Mexico
Texan Motel neon in Raton, New Mexico
Texan Motel neon in Raton, New Mexico
Old Santa Fe caboose, reminder that Raton was built on the railroad
Old Santa Fe caboose, reminder that Raton was built on the railroad

From Raton I headed east on US 64 towards Texas.  This was a nice highway and it went past the Capulin National Monument (a large volcano).

Free 72 OZ Steak sign in Raton (the place is in Amarillo, Texas!!)
Free 72 OZ Steak sign in Raton (the place is in Amarillo, Texas!!)
Unique Fence near entrance to US 64 east of Raton, NM
Unique Fence near entrance to US 64 east of Raton, NM
US Route 64 east heading to Texas
US Route 64 east heading to Texas
Another great view on US Route 64 heading east
Another great view on US Route 64 heading east.  You can see many features of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field.
Capulin Volcano - part of the Capulin National Monument
Capulin Volcano – part of the Capulin National Monument

I did not have time to stop at the Capulin Volcano National Monument, but I did get the nice shot above. If you look carefully you can see that there is a road that goes to the top…the road to the top of was first constructed in 1925 by Homer J. Farr.  This volcano is one of many in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. The Raton-Clayton volcanic field is best known to historians as the site of some of the best preserved segments of the Santa Fe trail. Famous landmarks on the trail such as Round Mound, Wagon Mound, and Rabbit Ears Mountains are all volcanic centers.

Capulin, New Mexico
Capulin, New Mexico
Wall Mural in Capulin, New Mexico
Wall Mural in Des Moines, New Mexico

Continuing east from Des Moines, NM towards Clayton the landscape turned into what I consider normal New Mexico landscape, flat with lots of tumbleweeds.

US Route 64 east between Des Moines, NM and Clayton, NM
US Route 64 east between Des Moines, NM and Clayton, NM

Upon entering Clayton, NM I was reminded of my visit to Salina, Colorado earlier in the day.  I think I saw this dragon before….

Dragon on a building in Clayton, NM
Dragon on a building in Clayton, NM
Another view of the dragon on a building in Clayton, New Mexico
Another view of the dragon on a building in Clayton, New Mexico
Welcome to Clayton, New Mexico
Welcome to Clayton, New Mexico

Clayton, New Mexico is practically on the border of Texas near the panhandle.  It is also just a few miles from the Oklahoma panhandle. It was really hot when I got here…but it was a dry heat (ha-ha).  Clayton has long been a major stop on the trails of the west. Coronado passed through here on his way to Kansas. The Goodnight-Loving Trail with its large cattle drives, used Clayton for a stop over and resting place for the many herds of cattle driven over the famous trail. In the latter days of the Santa Fe Trail, freight lines from the railroads in Kansas passed through here. Soon after the railroad reached Santa Fe, another railroad came to Clayton. The arrival of the railroad in 1887, probably signaled the birth of Clayton.

Clayton Dinosaur Trackway sign
Clayton Dinosaur Trackway sign

Nearby is Clayton Lake which is also known for its “Dinosaur Trackway” – a number of fossilized dinosaur tracks.  The town has some quirky dinosaur statues to celebrate this area.

Dinosaur Statue - Clayton, NM
Dinosaur Statue – Clayton, NM
A de-horned Dino in Clayton, New Mexico
A de-horned Dino in Clayton, New Mexico
Love the play on words - New Mexico's Dino Source - in Clayton, NM
Love the play on words – New Mexico’s Dino Source – in Clayton, NM

Then there is another large metal sculpture, also probably from the same folks in Salida, CO

Large Metal Horse in Clayton, New Mexico
Large Metal Horse in Clayton, New Mexico – at Wild Horse Grill

The horse above was apparently done by Albuquerque artist Bennie Duran who has a “Yard Art” shop called Desert Blooms.

Wall Mural art in Clayton, New Mexico
Wall Mural art in Clayton, New Mexico

From Clayton I continued east into Texas, first hitting the border town of Texline.

Sumoflam at Texas Border in Texline, Texas
Sumoflam at Texas Border in Texline, Texas
Welcome to Texas - Texline, Texas
Welcome to Texas – Texline, Texas
Texline, Texas
Texline, Texas
Main Street of Texline, Texas
Main Street of Texline, Texas

From Texline I continued into Dalhart, Texas.

Welcome to Dalhart, Texas
Welcome to Dalhart, Texas

From Dalhart I proceeded southeast on US 385 towards Channing, Texas and then would venture east on TX Hwy 354 towards Four Way, Texas.

US 385 south near Channing, Texas
US 385 south near Channing, Texas
Sign to Four Way, Texas
Sign to Four Way, Texas

Four Way, Texas, situated four miles north of Masterson, is named for its position on the spot where U.S. Highway 87 from Dumas to Masterson crosses the route from Channing to Lake Meredith and Stinnett.  According to one history I found, “after natural gas was discovered in the vicinity in the late 1920s, a man named Anthony and his wife opened a grocery store, filling station, and dance hall. Music for this popular roadhouse was furnished during the 1930s by “Little Ham” Hamilton’s band from Amarillo. Later, after the highway was paved, a family named Atchison opened a store and cafe on the east side of the road. The dance hall expanded into a cafe and tourist court. By the early 1970s only one store and service station remained. The community was still listed in 1990.”

Buffalo Mural in Four Way, Texas
Buffalo Mural in Four Way, Texas
Mural in Four Way, Texas
Mural in Four Way, Texas
US 87/287 South near Masterson, Texas
US 87/287 South near Masterson, Texas

Heading south on US 87/287 thru Masterson I was soon getting close to Amarillo, Texas.  I had not been in Amarillo since about 1968, when my family moved from Albuquerque to Dallas.  We stayed overnight in Amarillo.  My goal in Amarillo was to get to the famous “Cadillac Ranch” before dark and I was gonna do it!!

US 87/287 heading south into Amarillo, Texas
US 87/287 heading south into Amarillo, Texas

And I did make it!!  The famous Cadillac Ranch – one of the most famous Offbeat Roadside attractions in the U.S.

Cadillac Ranch as seen from Interstate 40 west of Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch as seen from Interstate 40 west of Amarillo, Texas

What more can be said about Cadillac Ranch other than it is an icon in roadside quirkiness matching the twine balls, giant fish statues and Hell, Michigan as must see places.  Indeed, while I was there I saw well over thirty people, all stopped on the I-40 side road and walking the walk, many to play the spray.

Sumoflam at Cadillac Ranch
Sumoflam at Cadillac Ranch

After the walk up the path to the 10 car set, I saw spray paint lids and cans strewn all over the field.  The real focus now appears two fold – spray the cars and get a photo.  I didn’t bring any spray paint (c’mon folks, I just drove nearly 12 hours from Eagle, Colorado!!).

A couple walks the path to the Cadillac Ranch
A couple walks the path to the Cadillac Ranch

So what is this place and why is it? According to Wikipedia, “Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation and sculpture created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm. It consists of what were (when originally installed during 1974) either older running used or junk Cadillacs, representing a number of evolutions of the car line (most notably the birth and death of the defining feature of mid twentieth century Cadillacs; the tailfins) from 1949 to 1963, half-buried nose-first in the ground, at an angle corresponding to that of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.”  Until 1997 it was located in a wheat field closer to Amarillo, but was moved to its current location in a pasture west of Amarillo. (Best to take I-40 exit 60 and then take the frontage road along the freeway heading east towards Amarillo.  Cadillac Ranch will be on the right.

Colorful Caddys of Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas
Colorful Caddys of Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas
Another view of the painted Cadillacs
Another view of the painted Cadillacs
Spray painted wheel at Cadillac Ranch
Spray painted wheel at Cadillac Ranch
One of the colorful Caddies at Cadillac Ranch
One of the colorful Caddies at Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch is visible from the I-40, and though it is located on private land, visiting it is tacitly encouraged. In addition, writing graffiti on or otherwise spray-painting the vehicles is now encouraged, and the vehicles, which have long since lost their original colors, are wildly decorated. The cars are periodically repainted various colors. The cars were briefly “restored” to their original colors by the motel chain Hampton Inn in a public relations-sponsored series of Route 66 landmark restoration projects. The new paint jobs and even the plaque commemorating the project lasted less than 24 hours without fresh graffiti.

Cadillac Ranch, Texas
Cadillac Ranch, Texas

There are some news reports nowadays going around that might endanger this roadside icon.  I have seen this done to other Roadside Attractions such as “The Spindle” (the cars on a spike in Berwyn, IL) and the Large Pile of Cans in North Dakota. See my post about these and other “lost roadside attractions.”  That would be a shame.

I had hoped to make it to a couple of other similar places nearby, including “Slug Bug Ranch” in Conway, Texas and “Combine City” in Canyon, Texas.  But alas, no time on this trip. Check out the links above courtesy of Roadside America.

Free 72 OZ Steak sign in Raton (the place is in Amarillo, Texas!!)
Free 72 OZ Steak sign in Raton (the place is in Amarillo, Texas!!)

Now, if you recall that sign (above) near Raton advertising Free 72 Oz Steaks….  I deided to swing by this tourist attraction. Typically you don’t see advertisements like this hundreds of miles away, but there are a few including Wall Drug (South Dakota), Little America (Wyoming), Ruby Falls (Tennessee), The “Thing” (Arizona) and a number of caves around the country. So, I had to make a visit…to the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Big Texan Steak Ranch
Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas

The Big Texan Steak Ranch became one of those Route 66 icons back the 1960. At that time, R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo on Route 66, the “Mother Road”. Its distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame. The towering neon sign of a long-legged cowboy that Bob erected next to the building became a major landmark on Route 66. From the beginning, the Big Texan welcomed weary travelers and migrating families whose roots spread all across America.

Iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch Sign
Iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch Sign

In the 1970s as freeways pushed Route 66 into the history annals, Lee bought land along the I-40 route and built a bigger and better Steak Ranch.  He even moved the iconic sign from the old location by helicopter.  Like any tourist attraction of this nature, there is glitz, whimsy and offbeat quirkiness.

Big Texan store front
Big Texan store front
Big Texan motel next to the Steak Ranch
Big Texan “Horse Hotel” next to the Steak Ranch
a giant green dragon in the parking lot of Big Texan
A giant green dragon with cowboy boots and spurs in the parking lot of Big Texan
Longhorn ornamented stretch limos
Longhorn ornamented stretch limos

Of course, the drawing card is the FREE 72 ounce steak dinner (and — in small print — “if eaten within an hour. Many have tried, many have failed”).  I had no time to even think about it and the place was packed (it is open 24 hours and also serves breakfast), and, honestly, there is no way I could do that.  Ultimately, you have to eat the following in an hour: Shrimp Cocktail, Baked Potato, Salad, with Roll, Butter, and of course the 72 oz. Steak. (see complete rules here).  If you fail — you lose and must pay for the meal (not sure how much).  They have a 38 page pdf file of their “Hall of Fame” including names from 1965. Apparently over 48,000 have tried and only 8000 have succeeded.   The Man vs. Food series actually filmed its first episode here and Adam Richman, the host, finished off the meal in less than an hour. (See the video here)

Giant Steer at the Big Texan
Giant Steer at the Big Texan

Oh well, I still had to move on.  By this time I realized I wouldn’t make it to the Dallas area, so I set my sights on making it to Wichita Falls, Texas for the night…another three hour drive from Amarillo.

US 287 heading south towards Childress, Texas
US 287 heading south towards Childress, Texas

I went southeast on US 287 towards Childress and through other small towns like Quanah and Vernon before making it to Wichita Falls.

Sunset near Quanah, Texas (as seen through my side view mirror)
Sunset near Quanah, Texas (as seen through my side view mirror)

After a nice (but short) night’s stay in Wichita Falls, it was back on the road. I had to make my first stop along the way in the small town of Jolly…needed to be Jolly first thing!! A post office began operations there in 1891 and was named for William H. Jolly, an area rancher and farmer. In 1895 Jolly had seventy-five residents, six businesses, two churches, and a school. From the mid-1920s through the mid-1960s it reported a population of sixty-three. Its post office ceased operations sometime after 1930.  There are about 200 residents now.

Jolly Travel Center, Jolly, Texas
Jolly Travel Center, Jolly, Texas
Jolly Scales, Jolly, Texas
Jolly Scales, Jolly, Texas
Jolly Sumoflam!
Jolly Sumoflam!

The drive into Dallas from Wichita Falls was quite nice most of the way as I stayed on US 287/81 all the way to Decatur.  The roadsides were carpeted in wildflowers of purple, red and yellow.

Flowers along US 287 near Henrietta, Texas
Flowers along US 287 near Henrietta, Texas
Wildflowers in Texas, taken near Bowie, Texas
Wildflowers in Texas, taken near Bowie, Texas
More Wildflowers
More Wildflowers
US 287 near Bowie, Texas
US 287 near Bowie, Texas

I soon approached the wonderful traffic congested, always under construction Dallas freeways…and this ends this long trip

Dallas Freeways
Dallas Freeways
Busy freeways in Dallas
Busy freeways in Dallas

And THIS is why I prefer the open roads along the Less Beaten Paths of America….

Traffic in Dallas
Traffic in Dallas

Some roadside assistance provided by friends at……