PART 2: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Joplin to Oklahoma to Texas « History, Attractions, Museums &Laquo; Travel « JESDA.COM

PART 2: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Joplin to Oklahoma to Texas

January 06, 2012 jesda No comments

I’m glad I overpacked. I intended to be away for a week but that turned into a month.

Deal with it, Newton.

Stopped at Wendy’s to eat.

Sighted on I-44

Tornado damage in Joplin MO. (See article)
When you drive through town at night there’s areas of total pitch black darkness. No street lights, no street signs, no cars, nothing. The F5 tornado on May 22, 2011 literally sucked the life out of massive sections of the town.

160 people died and 900 were injured. Most died in their homes.

St John’s Hospital was destroyed, but only six died. A new hospital is being built nearby. The area is fenced and has 24-hour security.

A cable box.

See this concrete slab? There used to be a building there.

Dinner for Newton.

Terry’s new Subaru STI

The ride was firm but perfectly tolerable. I could feel the organs in my chest being pushed back toward my spine as Terry nailed the hammer.

Specifications:
$37,000
305hp
All Wheel Drive
6-speed manual transmission
3380lbs
5-passenger wagon
2.5L Turbo Flat 4
19/23 mpg
13” disc brake rotors
Independent front struts, rear double wishbone with coil springs
18” wheels
0-60: 4.9 seconds
155mph top speed

Stayed the night at a Motel 6 in El Reno, Oklahoma.

It was nice.

But it was overpriced.

Not much to see in El Reno.

Not much to see on I-40 either.

The U Drop Inn, Shamrock TX. Built in 1936 on Route 66. One side is a cafe, the other is a service station. JC Berry’s architectural design was inspired by a nail in the dirt, executed with fine art deco details.

The U Drop Inn appeared in the movie Cars.

The gift shop was unfortunately closed by the time we arrived.

This leaning water tower was designed this way to lure visitors.

It was owned by Ralph Britten (his truck stop’s name, Britten USA, is printed on the side). The truck stop closed decades ago after a fire.

This is the sign outside the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. Obviously everyone ignores it.

This used to be closer to town but Amarillo’s ongoing development forced the ranch to relocate three miles west in 1997.

I had to pee so we headed down the street to a truck stop. I got Newton an indian blanket for $8.

It was created in 1974 by three guys who were part of an art group called Ant Farm. The burial angle corresponds to the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The model years range from 1949 to 1963.

Occasionally, the cars are painted a single color to commemorate certain events. The repaints last no more than a day before the [encouraged] graffiti returns.

Seat springs.

Tail fins.

Differential.

Spray cans and lids everywhere.

The wheels have been welded on to prevent theft since they’re an important part of the display.

Back on the road. Newton loves his new blanket but has a weird way of sleeping on it — leaning sideways.
Does this dog have no sense of gravity?

The rain cleared up!

Surprisingly, this gas station hot dog didn’t turn my farts into aerosolized death.

Bored?

Stunning sunset.

We arrived at a Motel 6 in Gallup NM. The town is kind of a dump but the people seemed friendly. The walls were so thin I could my neighbors coughing, so we tried to stay quiet and keep the volume down on the TV.