48 Hours in Texas and I want MORE MORE MORE!

Well, folks.   I'm saddened by the fact it has taken me almost 30 years to get to Texas. Man-oh-man, I like the way they grow 'em out here!  There are some handsome cowboys running around these parts!   I can get used to the scenery, indeed!

We had a pretty heavy day today as far as traveling goes.  Though we drove for what seemed like forever, we never left the great state of Texas.   Here is our route for Day 3: 

Day 3: Paris, TX to Amarillo, TX
Map courtesy of maps.google.com

While on the road, I spent hours looking out across open land. At times, it seemed the horizon was thousands of miles away. We saw lots of cows, quite a few oil wells, and a windmill farm.   I tried to take a picture of the windmills off on the horizon, but the photo just doesn't do the sight justice.  I know some people think windmills are eyesores, but I was absolutely fascinated by the smooth, rhythmic movement of the blades slicing through the hot Texas air.  

Above:  Windmills off in the distance in rural Texas

Throughout the day, I took some pictures to mark our journey.  Most of them were taken at rest stops along the way:

Clockwise from Upper Left:  (1) Picnic area with oil well monuments (2) A statue of Texas, of course!  (3) Pepper enjoying her Texan perch  (4) Nice walkway to see the the countryside. Notice the caution sign: Watch for Rattlesnakes!  (5) Rest stop somewhere between Wichita Falls and Amarillo, TX (very nicely decorated, I must say)

Clockwise from Upper Left:  (1) Countryside on US 82 in Texas  (2) A train running alongside us between Quanah and Childress, TX  (3) Picnic area on US 82 in Texas  (4) More beautiful open fields in the state of Texas

Our arrival in Amarillo was marked by our journey out to the fabulous Cadillac Ranch:

Above: Various shots of Cadillac Ranch!  Is it art?  OR  Is it junk?  Those cans (in the bottom right photo) are half-empty spray paint cans...

We also took the advice of The New York Times travel guide and fell for the biggest tourist trap in town, The Big Texan.  We ARE, as my father pointed out, tourists after all! 

  Top Row:  Exterior shots of The Big Texan Restaurant and Inn.  Notice the limousine with the longhorns on the hood (if you give them 4 hours notice, they'll pick you up and carry you to the restaurant  FOR FREE, y'all!) 

Bottom Row:  Beer (yum), Beefsteak Tomato Salad, baked potato and a 10 oz. Prime Rib.  Can you say stuffed? 

My parents and I  had a tough time finishing our meals, but none of us struggled like John from SomeplaceorAnother, TX.  John, you see, foolishly tried to conquer the 72 oz. steak challenge!

Upper Left:  John's introduction to the entire restaurant  
Upper Right: THE Challenger digs in! 

Bottom:  The entire restaurant watching as the match begins... 

Unfortunately, things did not end well for our contestant. He definitely went home $72.00 lighter in the pockets, but don't worry!  He's not alone. Of the ~60,000 folks who have tried it in the past, only 8,500 have succeeded.  Pretty tough odds! 

Alright, that's all for tonight.  We'll be leaving Texas tomorrow, but I have a feeling I'll be back sometime soon (wink wink).