Day 13 – Okalhoma to Amarillo

Pony Bridge

Getting a sense of perspective. The 39 trusses of the pony bridge recede into the distance as it crosses the South Canadian River.
Getting a sense of perspective. The 39 trusses of the pony bridge recede into the distance as it crosses the South Canadian River.

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Lucille’s Gas Station

Lucille's Gas Station. A classic and historic upper-story, out-thrust porch style station - one of only two left on Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66. Built in 1929, it was run for 60 years from 1941 by Lucille Hamons, after whom it is named.
Lucille’s Gas Station. A classic and historic upper-story, out-thrust porch style station – one of only two left on Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66. Built in 1929, it was run for 60 years from 1941 by Lucille Hamons, after whom it is named.

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Harleys at Lucille’s

We pulled up at Lucille's Gas Station to be greeted by this impressive trio. If I had to pick a favourite Harley, it would have to the Electra Glide, but I am a tourer sort of guy so that's not surprising.
We pulled up at Lucille’s Gas Station to be greeted by this impressive trio. If I had to pick a favourite Harley, it would have to the Electra Glide, but I am a tourer sort of guy so that’s not surprising.

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Goldwing at Lucille’s

The most competent tourer known to man and the epitome of reliability (the bike, that is, not the rider).
The most competent tourer known to man and the epitome of reliability (the bike, that is, not the rider).

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Route 66 sign at Lucille’s

With I40 on one side and Route 66 on the other, this was a silly place to put a sign that gets lots of visitors mindlessly ambling across Route 66 to get to it (yep, that incudes us!)
With I40 on one side and Route 66 on the other, this was a silly place to put a sign that gets lots of visitors mindlessly ambling across Route 66 to get to it (yep, that incudes us!)

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Texas State Line

The state line between Oklahoma and Texas. Texas is the second largest state in America which we could easily imagine - we were travelling across just it's panhandle and even that felt huge!
The state line between Oklahoma and Texas. Texas is the second largest state in America which we could easily believe – we were travelling across just it’s panhandle and even that felt huge!

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Storm

Angry looking grey clouds to the north looked to be dumping rain on whoever was below. Luckily we missed it, but the blustery wind soon came along and made up for that.
Angry looking grey clouds to the north looked to be dumping rain on whoever was below. Luckily we missed it, but the blustery wind soon came along and made up for that.

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Mel’s Diner

Classic diner food on the eastern edge of the Texas Panhandle. Burger and chips and a glass of soda: perfect road trip food, although a little filling for lunch!
Classic diner food on the eastern edge of the Texas Panhandle. Burger and chips and a glass of soda: perfect road trip food, although a little filling for lunch!

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Castaway Crossroads

The location of the final scene of the film Castaway. The feeling of remoteness was overpowering. The fields stretched for miles with no other living soul to be seen. No sign of Tom either.

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Wind Farm

Something to break the monotony of the ride across flaaaat, lonnnng plains – a wind farm. Yes, it did get that monotonous.

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Holiday Inn Amarillo

Holiday Inn
For some reason our room in the Holiday Inn did not have any curtains, which made it a little tricky getting to sleep with a car park floodlight trained on the window.

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Silent Lightning

Coming out of the cinema we were treated to this celestial light show which was played out in total silence, giving it an eerie feeling

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Heavy Rainfall

Soon after the lighting came the rain. And boy did it rain! The surface of the car park got submerged almost immediately. I’m glad we didn’t have to ride in weather like this during our trip.

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