One Gal, One Backpack, and an Open Mind: Missouri to final destination: New Mexico!

Wednesday morning I set out for the most exciting portion of the trip: Springfield, missouri through Oklahoma to Adrian, Texas (548 miles). Oklahoma was the start of a long drive along open plains. Although I am sure there are some interesting attractions, I chose to drive straight through Oklahoma (only stopped for gas!)

Add caption

A site to be seen for miles and miles and miles and miles...

Texas is a very cool state. It is quite a surprise to go from seeing green grass and turbines to red rock and canyons! My original destination was Adrian, texas. Upon my arrival I found a ghost town. The population is 166 and while my research told me there was one hotel, the hotel was closed. Outside the vacant hotel was an old car with torn rearview mirrors dangling agains the doors. A 'vacancy' sign appeared lit although as it turns out this was just the mid day sun peering through the broken sign. There was also one cafe "the Midway Cafe" which was also closed. Adrian marks the half way point along Route 66 1139 miles from Chicago and 1139 miles to Los Angeles.

Adrian, texas...half way to CA on Route 66!

An old truck and bicycle outside the Midpoint cafe

Fabulous 40 Motel= not so fabulous!

The car with torn mirrors outside the vacant motel

Given that my original plan of staying in Adrian had failed due to lack of motels, I kept driving (there were no stores to ask for directions!). I noticed as I was parkerd outside the motel (pictured above) that something was leaking from beneath my car...not surprising given the distance I had driven. I convinced myself this was only condensation from the air conditioner (but was not certain since I very rarely use the AC!). It must have been condensation...
My driving led me to another old Route 66 town, Vega Texas. Population less than 500 which meant that there was at least one hotel!! There were two restaurants here: the local saloon and Roosters cafe. I headed to the Saloon for dinner where I met a guy that was temporarily staying in town working on building wind turbines. Come to find out, the building of the turbines has been great for the economy of this small, agricultural town because of all the external people it has brought into town. The next morning I decided to head to Roosters cafe for breakfast before my last day of driving (a short one with only 244 miles to Albuquerque, NM). I went in, sat down at a booth by myself. There was a long table with 6 locals. They struck up a conversation with me as I probably looked a bit out of place in this quasi ghost town. We were talking from across the room and they invited me to sit at their table. I sat with them and I learned a lot about the town as well as the locals. As we were sitting 4 more locals showed up and also sat at the table, including the sheriff in his cowboy hat. The table banter was priceless. One guy in his mid 80's sat next to me and said "you know, according to the obituaries, I am over-due." The whole table just laughed as he kept a straight face. A man from across the table replied "well, I know more people in the cemetary than I do in town." Then, the topic moved from death to politics...a local sitting next to the sheriff said "why don't we change the topic of this conversation...I got a new gun yesterday." He pulls out an old revolver and explains why he carries a gun but keeps it unloaded. Everyone laughed yet again and the sheriff stated "that'll keep you safe Loyd."As the far end of the table discussed guns and agriculture and the fact that the jail is at full capacity with 10 inmates, the man across from me took out a photo from his wallet, it was his deceased wife. He explained how they met in Pueblo, CO and he brought her to Vega Texas where they owned a ranch. She dies last year and he has been going to the Roosters Cafe ever since. He set a trend, and all of the locals come and join him every morning for breakfast. I got invited back on my way back through to Maine...hopefully I can make it happen! Arrived in Albuquerque, NM on Thursday afternoon...total trip distance: 2,467 miles.