Day 3, 12/27 - Oklahoma City, OK to Gallup, NM

Day 3, 12/27 - OK, TX, & NM

After another fine breakfast, Super 8’s Superstarter, we were on the road at 8:20 am (Central time). Once again behind schedule, this time due to a faulty motel alarm clock. Jolene had to once again use her superpowers to warm up the radar detector suction cups.
About 75 minutes early in the ride were passed listening to the new David Sedaris CD, which further cemented Jolene’s love of the little gay man. If you have not yet picked up one of his books, your life is not complete. Jolene recommends starting with “Me Talk Pretty One Day”.
After entering Texas, it is evident that we have barely scraped the beauty of this part of the country. On either side, we see farms, wandering herds of cattle, and wide open blue skies. There are windmills on the horizon as far as the eye can see. All was well, until we needed gas. That was when we found McLean, TX. We followed signs for a gas station and a portion of Historical Route 66 only to find ourselves trapped in the circle of death. Rick took one look around and decided this was not the place for us, but we couldn’t leave! It seemed that there was no way out. After circling the dead as a doornail town about six times, we decided that we had to get gas HERE or we were going to run out of gas HERE. Miraculously, they had heard of and even accepted credit cards. We finally escaped and found out way back to the real I-40 (as opposed to the Historical Route 66 version of I-40. After this McLean debacle, we found a very lovely rest area a few miles down the road. Along with the clean bathroom and some historical information on The Lone Star State, this stop also offered breathtaking views of some Texan canyons. Jolene was hoping to see some exciting Route 66 roadside attractions, so we took the offshoot of this historical road to Groom, TX. Unfortunately, there was nothing exciting there. Thankfully, not long after that boring little trek, Rick saw a lonely tumbleweed roll across the highway.
Now, when you see signs for a town for hundreds of miles, you start to look forward to actually reaching that town. The first part of the day’s drive, that town was Amarillo, TX. Interestingly enough, we were reminded of our honeymoon as Amarillo, TX was reminiscent of the poorest parts of the Dominican Republic. Rick swore he could taste the El Presidente. Every other storefront was either a Chinese or Mexican restaurant. Rick made the very uncouth observation that it is “lots of little brown people living in squalor.”
A few miles outside of Amarillo, Jolene gets her wish. Rick noticed some cars sticking out of the ground on the eastbound side of the highway. Duh! It’s Cadillac Ranch. Jolene has been hoping to see this but because of poor planing, did not know where it was. Being the loving husband that he is, Rick turned around and went back. What an experience!!! For those unfamiliar with the famous roadside attraction, it is ten Cadillacs half-buried nose down in a field. They have been “decorated’ with graffiti over the years, ever changing with those stopping to visit. The “ranch” was complete with a herd of cattle far off in the distance and many a cow pie right in our path. There were empty spray paint cans and lids strewn all around. To our pleasant surprise, there were also full spray paint cans along with some cans of regular paint and paint brushes! We both released out inner graffiti artist and tagged a few cars. Jolene still has the red tipped index finger to prove it.
Jolene got a little choked up upon her first viewing of the beautiful New Mexico landscape... buttes, plateaus, & cacti... oh, my.
Stopped for lunch in Tucumcari, NM. Thought we'd check out a Sonic, but witnessed what had to be a hidden camera show prank. Dood was ordering his food and the girl kept repeating it back incorrectly. The guy was baffled and kept saying, "No. I never said that." She told him to repeat it & he did & she would still come back with some off the wall order. It was great for us to view, but must have been frustrating for him. We quietly backed out of our parking spot and made our way to that New Mexico institution Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Rick saw a dead coyote, which Jolene missed. She then trumped him by seeing a live coyote just chilling on some railroad tracks.
While listening to Car Talk on CD (Thanks, Anne!) Rick became distracted with the following thoughts: "What would you do if you broke down out here with no cell phone? You'd be dead." & "I was just thinking I haven't been here in 21 years." Aaaannnnnndddd back to Car Talk. Highly recommended, by the way. Jolene was having trouble breathing due to laughter more than once. "Brick it!"
We may have seen some antelope, but Rick wasn't sure there were antelope in the United States until Jolene sang "Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play..." Point made.
Jolene tricked by signage for 'Painted Horses' which ended up being a tourist trap, tchotchke shop. 'Painted Horses' weren't living beasts, but painted porcelain horses. Collectors items. Great. Ended up getting post cards, a magnet, and using a dirty bathroom. Also, great.
Arrived in Gallup, NM at roughly 7pm Mountain Time. Drove up and down historic Rt. 66 looking for a hotel that fit our needs. Ended up staying at an old school, historic Rt. 66 motel called El Rancho. Our stay started off on a creepy note as we were given Room 5. We made our way out to the Versa (Which is doing great, by the way. Best toy car ever! She's getting a wash in Vegas.), when Rick noticed a man shadily looking out of what he thought was Room 5. Jolene assured him that he must have seen him looking out of Room 4 or Room 6. Rick wasn't so sure. In a very manly manner he told Jolene to stay in the car & he made his way off across the parking lot to see what was up. Sure enough, he turned the key & pushed the door open as far as it would go with the chain engaged. Man on bed slowly turned to look at him, to which Rick said "Sorry, brother" & closed the door. Back to the lobby to get a new room as ours was occupado. Room 6 suited our needs except that it didn't include Wi-Fi or free breakfast. Shower water pressure & temperature rocked, though.
Rick was unable to check his Fantasy Football Championship Game score due to the lack of internet access until minutes ago. Woo-Hoo!! Hainesport Heathens up 99-77 with his wide receiver yet to go against Willy's Big Wonkas. Victory appears to be in hand. Hip, hip, hooray!!
Now we are off in the 7 degree weather to cross Arizona and make our way to Vegas. Luxor tonight! Cousins John & Sarah will be arriving in town tonight, as well. More good times ahead.
No time for pics or videos this morning. Check back for them later.
On the road again.