Tucumcari tonite...and then some!

Oh! Problem!

The holiday is kicking in. We all slept until Brendan's alarm went off to the dulcet tones of  'Amarillo'. Luckily he had set it for 06:30 central time so we did not get off to too late a start. Seamus said something. Did not quite catch it. Or if I did I was mistaken as it is unprintable in this Blog. Can I acknowledge how wonderful an experience it is not to be the first to rise in the morning and have to rouse others. Thanks Brendan.

Anyway we had a wonderful breakfast and then we were off  to a flying start. For a couple of miles.

Oh! Problem!

Some giant sporting shop ... can't remember the name ... was on our right and appeared to be open so we had to check all was ok.  In we went. Brendan said something about early start and then stop.  Did not quite catch it. Or if I did I was mistaken as it is unprintable in this Blog. We had to struggle to spend our reserves here. Mostly guns and ammo so no go there. Did discover that the life size plastic deer littering yards across the area are not left over huge Christmas decorations but practice targets. So we left it back. Ok, come on. We have spent enough time here. There is a ranch to get to.

Oh! No problem!

We found the Ranch. Again, not what you would expect from the advertising but great nonetheless. Literally out in the middle of a field are this collection of  buried Cadillacs. If Brendan was here now he would tell me what album cover they are on but they have gone to establish where the best establishment is. Having forgotten to bring spray paint with us we were fortunate to find a delicate shade of pink left in an abandoned can (thanks Sinead?) and left our messages.

OK. Onwards. No wait. STOP. Coffee break. In the Midway Cafe - yes, we are midway across the great US of A (well, at least the Chicago to LA bit) - we had top class pies and coffee all round. All credit to the Irish Bikers for Temple Street  Hospital, they have been great ambassadors for Ireland. As a result a warm welcome and a friendly chat with Fran awaited us when we arrived with me sporting the Ireland R66 2011 T Shirt D had given me. The bikers stop here each year on their charity run on Route 66.

Oh! Nearly forgot. Someone got married today or last night or sometime in the real world and Fran was bleary eyed from having stayed up all night to watch it. Must have been on the telly.

Oh! Problem!

Seamus and Brendan debated their next purchase. See video!

The day was heating up quickly. We were also using fuel quickly. We reckon that we get about 16.6 mpg from this vehicle. The budget has been adjusted to take account of higher than anticipated fuel costs. We still expect to deliver this project on time and on budget. So we stopped on this lovely sunny , not to say hot, day to refill with $70 of petrol. Turn off the engine, insert the card, remember the code numbers, start to fill. It takes a while, I'll concede that.  You do the best you can but some people can only find the slight snags in the arrangements.  Eh... see the video!

Then we were off again so quickly we passed ourselves out at Glenrio. We were now in New Mexico and had crossed in Mountain Time. So saving another hour.  Does Seamus yet realise that he was effectively up at 05:30? Anyway he finally got his map of the USA here along with lots of other useful information. No rattlesnakes.

Off again. A windy day. Not problem windy, but windy. Great to see the tumbleweed crossing the road, only it was too fast to catch on video.

We did venture some of the old, old route 66.
That you can see on the video!

Oh! Problem!

Does an earlier Blog explain about the cool box? If not remind me to tell you when we get home. Anyway we have carted a cool box all the way here - empty. So we called into K Mart to fill it up. Got lots of essential stuff. Lent is over so we got nutritious and top quality  sweets  food. Then we were told they don't sell ice. No problem - like I keep saying. We toured Tucumcari until we found a bag load. Sorted.

All that exercise left us hungry, or at least feeling we should eat. So we piled into Del's Diner and loaded up. Again place full of  (other) real cowboys. It was as they march out we realised we were short of essential gear. No spurs ... yet!! As I started the car Seamus mentioned that he had left my haversack on the back seat. I had left it in Del's. No Problem. Big thanks to Seamus.

Onto Santa Rosa tonite.  Visited classic car museum which was excellent. Went for a walk in the park - literally.Went to Joe's for a 'light' meal.


Oh! Problem! We give up. Can't keep up the pace. Could not finish the meal. Not one of us. Need to rethink the strategy.

Oh the lads are back. You need age ID to purchase. Oh the lads are gone again. Oh, they are back. Oh, you need a bottle opener. Oh, you don't need a bottle opener. Teeth seem to be the key.

If you are reading this do please feel free to leave some comment!

Goodnight.

This IS the way!

Where to start?

Given the email messages of concern we have been receiving it would be only fair to say that we have not been affected by the terrible weather that is causing such havoc in the uS. Today started bright, if early, and continued in perfect sunshine and light breeze all day.

Secondly, the clothes are all fine. And (thanks again for all the smart comments) we all fit them. Working through three full meals a day, including it seems at least one 8 oz steak at some meal while walking ...oh probably all of a mile each day, seems to be just the perfect balance. Anyway the No Panic theme for the holiday is holding solid.

We did not panic in the slightest when Jill, just to be mean and show that she is in charge, brought us to a complete dead end. I think that is a requirement for anyone who really does Route 66. You have to run out of road sometime. Besides Seamus also got to explore the red earth dirt tracks of Oklahoma up close. Can you see the trail of dust still?

Oh while we are on the good new I could finally stop taking the back tablets today. The lads don't know so again...not a word. My back gave up in the week before I left. Could only stand for short periods. Deirdre, bless her, was worried. We put our faith in plenty of tablets and some prayer. The combination eased the problem gradually: I regretted being so busy I could not get to my physio as I usually do when this problem strikes. No bother yesterday. No tablets this morning and no adverse reaction. Sorted.

Back to this morning. We were up and at it early. Did not even pause for breakfast but made tracks quickly ... ok, it was into a dead end withing a few miles but at least we were heading West!

We found Chucks in Elk City. We loved Chucks. Its a diner that does a great breakfast. More to the point every cowboy for miles around seems to gather there in their fancy hats and fancier boots. These were real working cowboys. We fitted in just fine. John's hat was a bit newer and less battered that all the others. Despite what may have initially been more decorative boots than Brendan's they could no longer quite match the class of Brendan's elegant footwear.   We enjoyed our meal and our virtual engagement in all the discussion of how best to succeed at the rodeo.

Oh, on a disappointing note: we seem to have somehow come through today without investing in any ancillary items. Don't know how that happened but there you go. Let there be no panic. Don't need any more money today!

We did the Route 66 museum in Elk City. Have to say it, and a lot of the other attractions were testament to the power of American advertising. However in each place the people was a treat and only delighted to help us. The U Drop Inn in Shamrock has been restored and reopened in recent years so we aimed for there for lunch. But is does not say opened for what. The Thursday quilting group were a little surprised when we did drop in. Nice quilts but , God bless them, they are not a patch on D's masterpieces. In time they will get the hang of  it. We gave them some tips and left. Running across Route 66 we got to Big Vernan's Steakhouse. One very hassled but pleasant waitress approached us before the one guy waiting ahead of us.  Boy did he have a fit of pique and stormed out. We enjoyed our meal.

On through Texas and we stopped first at the safety areas. Great structures which have guides to the local areas and incorporate facilities for tired motorists and have tornado shelters. Mind you the sign saying 'keep of f the grass for fear of rattlesnakes' took the edge off our feeling of security. However Seamus tested the grass and decreed that the sign was a 'recommendation'not an instruction. Seamus seems to regard some many  most  all signs that way!!



We also tried the Blessed Mary Restaurant for afternoon tea. Got along story of why this institution is another just about to bite the dust on Route 66. Charming man. A little to the right of Brenda (Power or Moran - take your pick) in his views but he blessed us before we went on our way. No coffee though.

We saw the second biggest cross in the Western world ... from a distance.

We also saw deer, prairie dogs, eagles, a skadger, no turtles (saw those the last few days any nearly ran over a big one) and of course no rattlesnakes.

We have found our way to Amarillo, albeit the girls are (we hope) waiting for us half a world away.

For now the priority, I am being informed, is to finish this Blog and go get some food before we starve.

Until tomorrow then.

hat a difference a day makes.

Miles today on Route 66       191
Miles to date on Route 66:     920


Tonight we are in Clinton ... but more about that later. I have to rush this bog because our clothes are in the washer and  ... well you know how it is.

The day started well with a hearty if not healthy breakfast in the Hard Rock cafe. We sampled the full range of the extensive buffet breakfast. Fresh fruit, grits, oatmeal, cereal, pecan pie, croissants, fruit crumble, coffees all round, french toast and maple syrup, water melon, pineapple. We thought it was enough to do us for the day. Hah! This is America.

We then headed out on our Route once more. Day like yesterday weather wise. Cloudy but not wet.The target was Oklahoma for lunchtime but when we were passing Chandler and we spotted an interpretative centre and decided to check it out. Once again it was run by enthusiastic volunteers and had a dozen or so short films about Route 66 and lots of memorabilia. A few miles further on we quenched Seamus's appetite to check out a pawn shop. It would be kind, and we are being kind this trip, to say it was full of memorabilia. It was full of junk memorabilia.

We also toured the round barn in Arcadia. A monument to the ingenuity of those who seek to preserve the past. Minute attention to detail to replace and restore the original. The roof is something else.

Onwards once more and we landed in a Radio Shack. Stopped Brendan getting ill from his music. No its great music. Really it is. No seriously. Its just that the connecting cord from the radio to the iPod is too short and he has to scrunch down to operate the playlists. Not any more. Our cable is long enough now to connect to from Dublin! We also have leads with American plugs for our other gear. Only problem now is that breakfast had run out. So we plugged Stockyard City into our GPS and Jill took us there post haste via the Interstate. At the Cattlemen's Cafe we had enough cow to kept us fed for the week ... or at least so it seemed as we staggered out. What is 'Cobbler' anyway?

Across the road we waddled to Langtons. They sell western gear. They used to have a fine stock of clothes and other gear. We now have most of it. All we need now is a few horses. We have a fine selection of hats. Send more money.

Onto route 66 once more. The day continued to  improve. So did the route. This was a fine section. Wonderful old road with pink concrete and unique kerbs. Fantastic bridges. American towns of varying sizes. This was what we signed up for as we cruised along listening to our music, joking about the purchases and the experiences of the day and enjoying the scenery and the rumple of the concrete strips beneath our wheels. Route 66 at it's best to date. A couple of wrong turns but only for a short distance before Jill had us sorted again. Eagles soaring above the woods. Magic.

All too soon we arrived in Clinton. Well actually a little too late for the Hampton Inn. Booked out. We are in the Ramada instead. Now that's an interesting place. Wonder how come its not booked out and the Hampton Inn is ????????  Think we have that figured. Will make the lads appreciate other places!! Mind you Seamus managed to toss a quarter so expertly in the 'bar' that he won a free drink. And that is after we ahd finished a giant Piazza. We are not going to starve on this trip.

So it was that at 11pm we were making our way to the laundry. That is an experiment in progress...just going to check how small our clothes are now and what interesting colour combinations. Will let you know tomorrow. If I have time I'll upload some video but its getting late....

Rock On!

Todays miles on Route 66: 200
Total miles on Route 66:     729

Tonight we are in the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa. Excellent accommodation.  We have chairs and indeed a table to spare and no need to use the beds to sit on. The (now) traditional rollaway bed has been delivered and we are have had a good meal and toured the casino.

We got off to an unusual start. After a buffet breakfast in the Best Western in Springfield we headed literally just around the corner to PFI Western Wear. A superstore of western wear. We worked our way through it over a couple of hours. Brendan has now worked out how to fully use the temporary credit cards you can buy in stores here. When they are all used up they just take them back. At least the work. And we have our gear. Boots, jeans, belts, shirts, hat. Not each of us has all but between us we have an outfit and a half. Tomorrow we will try again elsewhere. Send more money!

Oh yea, the road trip. We were back in the car with Seamus behind the wheel by mid morning. And the rain stayed away - excellent. He found the car to be an excellent one to drive too.   Our first target for the day was Power's Museum in Carthage. The Powers have decided (without telling us) to postpone their opening while they do a bit of refurbishment. Huh! Anyway it was lunchtime so we keyed in 'food' to the GPS and found the Sirloin Stockade. Really great team of people there and food that just hit the spot.

The rest of the day brought to life the lines on the map and the small towns we had noted over the years as we planned the route. We were quickly out of Missouri and into Kansas.

The Galena Museum was something else. Run by a lovely couple on a voluntary basis is is a eclectic collection of memorabilia ranging form soldiers uniforms though mining equipment and samples of minerals through to old Ford cars in the process of repair and even a horse drawn hearse.

We even got Seamus to do the loop around the Rainbow Bridge in order to capture this last of the Marsh Arch bridges on the route. It looks much better than the replacement a few yards away

All that took place in the 13 miles that Route 66 runs through Kansas. Then we were into Oklahoma. Back on the road we were chasing the clock to Claremore. We got there at 5:10 pm. The JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum closed at 5pm. Pity. A couple of miles on to the Will Rogers Memorial and Museum.

.
So be it. There will be no panic this trip. Onto Tulsa and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. As noted above our Suite is brilliant. Great day. See you tomorrow.

Brendan's 18,992nd day

Miles on Route 66 today:  232
Miles on route 66 to date: 530

Today then was Brendan's day. Fair enough ... it's his birthday. Happy birthday Brendan - good to be sharing the day with you. The postman was efficient. Cards arrived at about 04:00 and had Brendan laughing to himself as he opened them a few hours later. It was like post day in the Gaeltacht: more money arrived from home just in the nick of time. We have every confidence he will get rid of that by tomorrow. After all we are now installed next door to PFI: see side bar for details!

Anyway, Hertz said the car we wanted would be ready at 10:00. As it was only 08:45 we struck out in search of breakfast. That worked well and after bagels and coffee we then headed off to the Arch to see what the gateway was all about. That was fascinating: a very small train: like a capsule for 5 people each whizzes you to the top. Cecilia would not make it - its a very 'cozy' enclosed space. The view were stunning though. Hopefully we will get the video up soon.

Next back to the hotel to pick up the car. Not the one we ordered. But a GM Arcadia - after 232 miles in pouring rain let me tell you ... an excellent car! We could find no fault. Even has reversing camera in the rear view mirror! The iPod plugs in. The cooler box fits in the back. Everyone has separate seats. Has lots of cup holders - even makes up for the cheap ice box Seamus cheated me into buying ... I lost a bet on that.

Then on the Ted Drewers Frozen custard. I suspect the Spot tell a talk of a circular tour. Jill got cranky about there being competition in the car and would not talk to us until after we got to Drewer's. John had to sweet talk her into conversation but she's back in the gang now and chatting away every turn. Mind you poor spot in now literally stuck in a corner but seems to be ok with that. Drewers is a hatch service only and no seats: who would have thought. Plus it started to rain. No negative vibes on this trip though!

Next stop Route 66 State Park: closed as the Department of Transportation won't fund the bridge so they shut it down last year. Fortunately the Interpretative Centre is on this side so we had a pleasant tour around and the guide was very helpful and friendly. First stickers, pins and postcards bought.

On then to the Jesse James museum. Closed! Toy museum. Closed. Took photos though!

The rain came down heavier.

Then Walmart for our ice box. Lovely one for $20. Somehow , I still can't figure out how, we ended up with teh $10 dollar special. Just wait till we wnat a cool drink in the desert!

Then on to the Wagon Wheel Hotel for lunch.Fine rooms, lovely landlords. Stopped doing lunches at 19:30. No sorry, correct that - stopped doing lunches in 1930. So a bit late then. However the Hick BBQ next door looked after us in style. Great  - onwards.

The rain had formed a small lake around the car. Very  impressive.

Back in the car and motor on. Nice scenery en route. Like an Irish back road on a quiet day. The lightning lit it up wonderfully. The fountains of water from the major puddles cascaded across the road. The car shuddered but never flinched: intelligent four wheel drive system you know. Mind you we did slow down further for the rivers that flowed across the road at times: not concerned just naturally conservative!

Paused at the Munger Moss Motel and contemplated stopping for the day. 18:00 and a many miles yet to do. Took some photos but then pressed on. Got to Springfield just as the rain stopped. In Best Western next to PFI. Tomorrow PFI!

Easter Sunday 2011

Route 66 miles today  297

Route 66 miles todate 298

Not so much Easter Sunday as Seamus’ Sunday.  He was in charge today. We were up again at the crack of dawn and ready to explore Chicago on another fine , if cool, day.  Breakfast again in the Executive Rooms and then we hopped into a taxi at 08:30 to get to the Sky Deck. We had been there yesterday, queued for a block and a half only to be told that the queue form there was another two hours. We abandoned the visit.  Today though we were the second group in line. Great banter all round: especially when we noticed that the sign said opening hours September to April was 10:00. We hung on and sure enough there were signs of life at 08:50. We were up on the deck within a few minutes and it was worth the visit: standing out on a glass floor 117 floor s up above Chicago. Surreal and great sights.

After a bit of a stroll through Chicago we were back in the hotel and had a coffee: at which point Seamus produced a stack of large Snicker Doodles he had rescued earlier.  Then it was off to the train.  Our original booked seats you will recal had been cancelled along with the train due to track works continuing that Sunday on the route to St. Louis.  It was a bit of a c=scramble to get on and there appeared to be an extraordinary lack of space. Maybe a lot of people forced to use the train when the airport in St. Louis was closed due to tornado damage.  Anyway we could not find three seats together. Seamus just disappeared.

A wee while later he was back. ‘Ok lads, get the bags we are moving’ he announced. And so we did. To an empty carriage. Installed in great comfort we settled back for the run to St. Louis and hardly noticed that the train ran an hour late. We adjourned to the dining car for dinner. Brendan joined a group with whom he had a fine chat about the state of the nation and the personification of globalisation by Walmart.   Seamus and I were engaged by a couple forced to train it because their flight was cancelled. They are now planning a visit to Ireland.

We arrived at the Renaissance hotel and were told that the rollaway bed we had booked months ago ‘would not fit in the room’ and so we would have to make do.  We dumped our gear and hiked off to the Hard Rock café for an evening nightcap and to get extend our collection of pins. We rambled back by another route which seemed marginally less inviting that the route we had taken to get there. Back in the hotel while the lads powered up their iTouch/phones in the lobby I went to get my netbook to do this Blog. When I got back Seamus announced that there was  problem. Our new room would have no fridge! New room. Oh yes he had interviewed the manager Benjamin and agreed a bigger room and a roller bed at no extra charge. So we moved again. Another successful end to another great day. Thanks Seamus.   

On the Route Day 2

Miles on Route 66 today 01
Miles on Route 66 to date 01

At about 12:00 he strirred. A quiet comment confirmed that a second body was awake. Then from the dark confimes of the crib a third voice enquired as to what time it was anyway. A laugh all round started this first full day for all three of us in the US. The first important decision was where to have our first breakfast. We decided on the hotel's executive honour bar. That provided a buffet breakfast from 06:00 and did the trick to get us ready to venture forth into the windy city. The news kept repeating about St Louis: surprised Cecilia has not commented yet on this as it was on RTE too - don't tell her though! Brendan is clear about that  - say nothing until we are past there: with a bit of luck she does not realise it's on the route. That it's tomorrow's destination. Anyway from what we hear nobody died!

Anyway, we ventured forth into the city. Very cold and windy. None of the shops open. Not at that time: we may have been up at 12:00 Irish time but these folk think that's only 06:00 so we were early about our business. Got to the end of the Magnificent Mile, taking pitures of the start of Route 66 en route before the city started to waken. The we had a second, magnificient, breakfast at the Grand Lux cafe. That was something special - we can recommend it. When we came out the weather had chnaged and it was a lovely warm Spring morning. Then back to the hotel via Harley Davidson, The Art of Shaving; Apple (who can answer the quesion Air Book; iPad2 or iTouch) to collect Seamus' camera and take some serious photographs. The Bean is fantastic: when Seamus can get me the photos we'll add them here. Must check out the GoPro camera - backpacker here swears by it.

Eventually we ended up in the Weber Grill for a great steak dinner and then wound our way back via Borders (the book shop) to the hotel. A good day: we are ready to move on tomorrow.  We have the morning here and then get the train to St. Louis - most of it is still there we understand but say NOTHING to Cecilia!!.

And we're off!!

Welll Route 66 2011 got under way at last today. Years in planning and finally the kick off day ahs arrived. ot quite the commencemtn we had envisaged but a successall the same.


We started off from quite different locations on either side of the Atlantic.  If my calculations are right Seamus and Brendan got off the blocks first leaving Raheny for Dublin Airport at around 09:00 for their flight with Aer Ligus to Chicago O'Hare airport. After a spell in the Lounge they made there way successfully, and quickly, through the Preclearance procedures and were ready to board.

Meanwhile  John was leaving the Fairax Hotel in Washington DC at 06:50 local time to head for Regan airport and the scheduled 08:40 flight to Chicago O'Hare airport. A breakfast at Dunkin Donuts  marked a good start to the day. Poor weather in the US and strong winds around O'Hare meant his flight was delayed for about an hour but he was in Chicago in good time to get into town, book into the hotel, collect the rail tickets and get back out to ORD in time to greet the rest of the team as they emerged into Terminal Five and collected the three bags from the carousel. Cecilia had done sterling work in keepng everyone in touch with up to the minute reports on progress.

Having quickly settled into the Hilton we headed off up town to ... Hard Rock Cafe, Chicago. Now fourth in the series. Paris two weeks ago, Dublin last week, Washington on Thursday, Chicago on Friday. And we have only just begun. Our stroll back from the Cafe was interrupted by a massive thunderstorm so we bailed into a taxi to get back resasonably dry. That's it then. Day one done.

Total miles on route 66 today: 0
Total miles Route 66 to date: 0

A great start.

Of Mice and Men

It was ever thus. You spend years creating a master plan and it immediately starts to unravel on execution. So it is with Route 66 2011. I now have to go to a meeting in Washington DC on 21 April so that rules out the choreographed departure arrangements for we three on the 22nd. Instead I'll head for DC on 20th and my trip will start from there.

Meanwhile Brendan and Seamus will start from Dublin on 22 April. They will head for Chicago O'Hare (ORD) while I will arrive in Chicago Midway (MDW). I should be ahead of them and be able to prepare the way. John has done that since time immemorial!

Getting kicks already on this Route 66. Amtrax have also entered the fray and advised us that our intended train ride to St. Louis is off so they have re booked us on a later train. That limits our time in St. Louis but there you go - see how we are mellowing with time! Hertz assure us they are ready with the car we want, at the time we want, at the location we want!?

Brendan - in charge of the music for the trip - started to muse along the lines that Ah well the best laid plans of mice and men then realised ….. wait a minute, that’s a novel by John Steinbeck who also wrote the Grapes of Wrath which is all about a journey along the mother road to the promised land of California and the mother road is another name for route 66, so it’s all connected, it’s all good, the karmic wheel keeps on turnin’, proud Mary keeps on burnin’ , rollin’, rollin’

Next step is to meet up on Friday in HRC, Dublin. Let the trip begin!