Amarillo always evokes a memory for me. First western trip with Cindy in 1976, we would camp one night and stay in a motel the next, usually. Our orange 1971 VW was packed! We arrived in Amarillo after dark, found a campground, set up and went somewhere to get a burger. Back at the campsite, very dark, climb into the sleeping bags in the orange nylon tent and then about 10 minutes later the tent shook, there was a horrible load roar and then spotlights bright as day lit up the tent. Turns out we were 200 yards from the end of the airport runway. Thankfully, only one more plane that night.
This trip was from Dallas, so we worked through a lot of traffic and developments for more than an hour, then things thinned out. As we went north the land flattened and the wind grew strong. Plus the added attraction of fires in the area provided a lot of smoke and haze. We stopped for a tour of the Goodnight Ranch. He was one of the first ranchers in the panhandle and accomplished a great deal and was well thought of by the people of the area as a kind and generous man. The Goodnight trail was one of the first cattle drives. His wife, Mary, also saved the southern Bison, by taking four or five young bison and bottle feeding them. Today’s herd is from her efforts.
We arrived in Amarillo and chose to eat dinner at the most touristy spot in the area, Big Texan. Jill did not try to eat the 72 ounce meal - good decision. The food here is decent. Steaks are excellent, sides a bit uneven - nothing bad and some really good, the rolls are nice too. Then off to our room and no planes overhead. Next day Santa h and the Vallas Caldera National Monumnet
The “Castle on the Plains” An 1880 home that was much grander than enyone expected in this area.
