Clinton's Route 66 Museum
We arrived in Clinton precisely at 5:30 pm, which is precisely one half hour after the museum closed. Much of the display is visible through the front windows but it is not nearly as satisfying as going inside. We did browse the outside exhibits including an old Valentine Diner that had been fully restored.
Valentine Diner
The diner was a visual treat that brought a flood of nostalgia, even for NOS who grew up in the McDonalds Age. Still there was disappointment for not having arrived sooner. Oh well, gotta save something for next trip. If there is one.
The plan was to get to Amarillo so that we could see the Cadillac Ranch by morning. Not hard to do since there is not much in the way of attractions once you hit western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. The setting sun was merciless and it seemed to hang on longer than warranted as we drove straight toward it. Looking for coffee we exited the interstate and drove through McLean, and found the town to be dying. No coffee, nothing open even at sundown. A sad sight indeed. We passed the leaning water tower in Groom and the Big Cross just as the last light faded.
There was a Business Loop 40 exit in eastern Amarillo that we decided to take as we figured there would be plenty of motels and eating places on a Business Loop. In most cities that is probably the case, but not in Amarillo. Lots of railroads, factories, warehouses, and then the seediest neighborhoods we had seen since L.A. No motels, at least none that don’t rent by the hour, and no suitable eating places. We saw a three-digit US highway sign so we took that street headed south and landed in just the right place for the night’s stay. This caused us to establish a new rule for travels. Never take the first exit into a town. After all that, though, there was blessed rest and a new day awaited.
