Halfway There

The sights along “66” range from the beautiful to the bizarre and there were a few iconic spots I didn’t to miss. I had my heart set on seeing that silly blue whale and I even spent a few hours in the parking lot there, catching up on work. I worked in the parking lot of the Slug Bug ranch too, waiting for the rain to let up so I could see Cadillac Ranch in the sunshine. I think I lucked out when it came to the weather. There was a full night of rain in Amarillo, which highlighted the need to recalk the big window over the dinette, but mostly I had sunny days.

It only took 3 days to get from my freebie overnight spot West of Springfield, MO to the Midway point on the edge of Adrian, TX, just east of the New Mexico border. Honestly though, I was getting a little bored with the same old landmarks and attractions. Murals and signs were around every corner and it’s hard to tell the old authentic neon from the reproductions. There are more and more ‘stops’ being added every day in preparation for the 100th anniversary of “the mother road” which occurs in 2026. Road construction was in abundance as well, likely for the same reason.

Before I left Ontario, I had tried to order one of the guidebooks I’d seen recommended in several Facebook groups. Written by Jerry McClanahan, Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers is in its 5th edition since 2005. Jerry has a shop and gallery in Chandler, OK, less than 12 miles from the Ozark Trail Obelisk, which I discovered while stopped there for a photo and to make myself a cup of tea. I figured I’d take a chance and see if the shop was still open, it wasn’t 6pm yet, but the lights were all off. Shoot! But, ever the optimist, I checked his website and it clearly stated that one should call or even knock on the door of the house next door since he was likely around. Sure enough, Jerry answered on the 2nd ring and would be “right over”.

He signed my copy of his book and showed me around his gallery. He does commissions, and will paint your car in front of an iconic landmark on request. He had a recent work on his easel depicting one of the newer “born again” muscle cars, a Dodge Challenger maybe, in front of cream and green gas station. He pointed out all the scalloped details along the roof and commented that if he never painted that building again, “it would be too soon”. Imagine my surprise, when I pulled off the Interstate near Shamrock, TX the following day, looking for a grocery store, and found myself face to face with that very Conoco station.