Day 1 - Houston to Amarillo
We survived the first leg of our trip, and we actually made it to Amarillo and our first glimpse of Route 66.
Mile 0 - left the house at 8:10 a.m. The car was packed solid. They didn't put much packing room in the cars back in '67. The car is pointing in the correct direction ready to go.
Mile 9.3 - Had to fill up for gas already. $1.629 / gallon. Headed for the open highway.
Mile 191.5 - Stopped for gas in Waco, Texas ($1.559/gal); troubleshooted our malfunctioning voltage regulator/alternator; got directions for a nearby auto parts store (Pep Boys).
Mile 194.7 - Pep Boys was a dud. They didn't have a functioning alternator testor. Got directions for another auto parts store. Went to another auto parts store and picked up an alternator. Ate lunch and changed the alternator out in the auto parts store parking lot. We now have a functioning electrical charging system!
Dean takes over driving for the first time after this point. He almost rear-ends an SUV while leaving Waco and almost has his driving privileges revoked.
Mile 318 - While trying to avoid interstate driving (I-20), got briefly lost in Carbon, TX. We missed out turnoff, and we still don't quite know how it happened. Only lost about 3 minutes before we turned around and found our way again.
Mile 369.8 - Gassed up in Albany, TX at the only station in town. $1.559/gal. Travis reassumes driving.
Mile 435 - Stopped to help stranded motorists along remote and desolate West Texas highway.
Mile 473 - Big storms in Guthrie, TX. We discuss top position. Do we leave down and risk getting a little wet, or do we play it safe and put the top up? Travis vetoes Dean and puts the top up after first raindrop hits windshield. Torrential downpour with major wind follows. Good call Travis! We get wet anyway - the top seals leak like sieves. We survive the rainstorm and get involved in a dust storm. Dean still wants the top down!
Mile 533 - Stop in Childress, TX for gas. $1.649 (for 90 octane!). Dean resumes driving.
Mile 542 - We almost hit flying turkey while crossing the Red River.
Mile 589 - We reach Route 66, finally, in Shamrock, TX. We stopped at the famous Tower Station and U-Drop Inn.
We follow historic Route 66 out of Shamrock.
Mile 610 - Stop in McLean, TX and see the first Phillips 66 station in the Great State of Texas.
Mile 638 - Stop in Groom, TX and take pics of the famous Leaning Water Tower (it was dark, but Dean had to have some pics anyway).
At this point, it is dark and getting cold. Travis is tired, hungry, cold, and has had enough riding for one day and starts getting cranky. We jump back on I-40 and head to Amarillo.
Mile 677 - Arrive in Amarillo and eat dinner at the Big Texan Steakhouse. Dean decides not to try and eat the 72 ounce stake! Good decision! The gift shop counter saleswoman talks us out of staying on one of the Route 66 motels (not a good part of town), and we compromise and stay at the Big Texan Inn (conveniently located next to the Big Texan Steakhouse). We were told that it was an original business, but learn later that the motel was relocated. We're a little disappointed, but we're too tired to look for anything else, and Travis is still being cranky.
That's it for Day 1. Stay tuned for the rest of the adventure!