Today was supposed to be a smooth and short drive to Amarillo but what is the fun in that?!? I made a last minute change because one can only stand on the corner so many times and for so long (especially now that we are back to Texas heat!)
I decided to add 20 minutes to the ride by trying a crazy highway route (Interstates are for the boring people of the world, right? Maybe sane people too)
First, dream sequence to last night, we are on book number 4 of summer reading and after starting this one the human bear decided to sleep like a mummy last night. Demonstrations were included and it was noted that inside that case the eyes are closed b/c it's just a dead body wrapped in some kind of paper:
We were literally all packed up and in the car when I thought, why are we doing this same route again with nothing to see and I just switched it up b/c I'm the boss and I can do that. I cancelled our hotel in Amarillo (don't worry hubs, I called before and made sure there wasn't a charge), added an 'attractions on this route' search on the GPS and just rolled towards Abilene. I've never been to Abilene but I've heard it in a lot of country songs so why wouldn't this be great?!
There were lots of wins today, first, I am not always the brightest and JUST realized that the Sirius radio settings were only Jason's preset stations (THERE ARE SO MANY MORE OPTIONS OUT THERE PEOPLE!) After every spot we stopped in Navajo Nation was rocking out their country music, I was inspired and it led me to The Garth Brooks station, Who knew that was a thing? That joy got me all the way to Abilene, it's seriously Garth Brooks songs (the best country songs you don't know you miss until you hear them) and his favorites which who would have thought include: Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Aerosmith...I could go on for days but I won't because I know I already lost most of y'all.
Adventure Stop #37: The Grave of Billy the Kid: Old Fort Sumner Cemetery: Fort Sumner, NM
This just came up out of nowhere and I thought why not? What could go wrong down this five mile road into a deserted cemetery? Although it didn't end well there for Billy the Kid, we survived just fine:)
We learned that his birth name was Henry McCarty and he also went by William H. Bonney. Other things we learned were the words: outlaw, murderer and cattle rustler.
Too bad that museum was closed so there wasn't a gift shop brawl between myself and the human bear or a hunt for quarters and a shiny penny for the penny press machine:( Shucks
Making connections to the Navajo People...you know I love a good educational connection!
I noticed the human bear was acting a bit odd in there and when walking back to the car she said, "I didn't know we were going to a cemetery, I thought we were going to a museum!" Whoopsie, I thought GRAVE of Billy the Kid gave it away, but I guess it didn't (noted for next time).
We don't know these people but we were the only ones for miles. I offered to take their picture and they asked the human and stuffed bear if they wanted to be in it...of course, they said yes! I hope they don't mind me posting their pictures on the internet. This will keep me laughing for awhile.
Adventure Stop #38: The Lunch Box: Clovis, NM
We were starving and I like to avoid ALL fast food unless it's the end of the world (we've only eaten Subway once and Panda Express once: you know you're impressed by that!) So, the tiniest place ever called The Lunch Box in a place called Clovis, NM was where it was going to be no matter what.
The sign did not have me feeling very hopeful; however, it was a great spot!
I have already told you that this was a very Decoteau day (my maiden name for any new friends completely confused why I keep saying that weird word throughout this blog), anywho so glad I took a picture of this sign while leaving Clovis which is where we ate. I know you just can't wait to find out why and it's also just a pretty picture.
Adventure Stop #39: Buddy Holly Center: Lubbock, TX
We listened to "That'll Be the Day" on the way in and the human bear said it didn't' sound like Rock N' Roll but, "sounds REALLY country" which she said with a twang. I believe the most excitement I saw from her was when we read his mom's name was Ella and while swinging from the rim of his glasses sculpture.
Yes, I'm sure you read every word of that sign and you read it correctly, it says he worked with his producers in CLOVIS, NM where we ate right before this stop at The Lunch Box! Sometimes you make decisions and there are little hints along the way that you are right where you are supposed to be on this planet (at least that is what I choose to believe).
I liked his style! Great glasses:)
Real convo: The human bear accidentally said Buddy Holiday to which I responded I think you are thinking of Billie Holiday, she then says, "Do you know Billie Holiday's birthday?" Completely ignoring the fact that I was helping her correct the name of the person we were currently learning about BUDDY HOLLY (who by the way is supposed to be spelled Holley but b/c of a typo became famous off of Holly and kept it that way). Back to the human bear, I'm then lost on a spiral of wondering why the heck she feels she knows Billie Holiday's birthday (or why it's important in this moment) and she says it's b/c it's on April 7th like Daddy's. Fact check: she was right and never acknowledged when she misspoke. She will rule the world one day, or a courtroom, or politics...I gave up! Always winning with the misdirection and I am tired and weak at this point in our journey.
There was an entire wall of artists and entertainers that contributed to Lubbock so they each had a plaque on the wall. I just thought some of you reading might like this one.
Getting our learn on a little more! If I want to be really obnoxious with the connections, we DID eat at "Peggy Sue's Diner" on the way into Vegas and had a great convo about that experience at Basil's house b/c they stopped at the same interesting location named after a Buddy Holly song. haha
Cool art on the side of a pawn shop.
Adventure Stop #40: The Cactus Theater: Lubbock, TX
We were not rolling through at the right time to catch a show but we did get to see The Cactus Theater. It was Lubbock's first suburban movie theater in 1938 and after being put out of business it was remodeled in 1993 for live performances. This was a cool little spot with a lot of character.
There aren't many places you have to stop in the middle of a highway but I did have to here at a four-way stop and I looked to the left and Garth Brooks was just staring me in the face...again, right time: right place.
We are all snuggled in and trying to sleep now even though this rapid time change in the last two days isn't doing us any favors. When we got in, I had a text message from Jason with an Alan Jackson meme referencing a song I jammed out to today on the Garth station...aaaaahhhh such a peaceful day of happy coincidences as I go to sleep. See some of you soon!