I zoomed through the Ozarks, westbound on 412. Stopping only in Yellville, AR, for a BBQ pork sandwich at Front Porch Restaurant, I reached Eureka Springs in the late afternoon. This popular Victorian town was fairly jammed with tourists, not at all unusual for a weekend. Many browsed the shops along the main downtown streets. Others relaxed on upstairs patios and decks, sipping drinks and listening to live music. I stopped in at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, which was fully booked for the night. I had expected this, and had planned to drive on, but was grateful for the opportunity to look around and take pictures. After some time wandering the streets and admiring the turn of the century architecture, I drove west to Tulsa, OK, for the night, continuing on the next morning across Oklahoma. In Weatherford, OK, I took a detour off I-40 to stop in at PBar Farms, a 100 acre farm that offers field trips, concerts and a cornstalk maze aptly named, "The Maize." It was far too early for their season, but visitors this coming fall will have a chance to walk through 300,000 cornstalks. According to PBar Farms' website, this maze offers 95 decision points and 3 1/2 miles of twisting pathways. Murder mysteries and hayrides are also offered. With plenty of daylight left, I blasted across the rest of Oklahoma and into Texas, stopping again along the Interstate in Groom, TX. This small town boasts the "Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere," which I took a look at under rain-threatening skies. Or, I should say, took a look "up at," as this illuminated white cross stands 190 feet tall (with a width of 100 feet). Online research indicates another cross, more recently built, in Illinois, which stands eight feet taller. Still, it's quite a sight from the road, not to mention from a nearby standing position. Designed and sculpted by Mickey Wells of Amarillo, the cross took eight months to construct and weighs 1250 tons. It is run by the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries, who take donations, but no official admission fee.
I spent the night in Amarillo, then headed west into New Mexico. I pulled off the road in Tucumcari, wanting to see one of Route 66's claims to fame, the Blue Swallow Motel. I had more mileage to cover, but was enchanted with this nostalgia-filled lodging. It might not be difficult to find a room with a queen bed along the way, but a queen bed and garage? This is what the Blue Swallow offers, for an extremely reasonable price of $29.95. Built in 1939, guests have a choice of 11 rooms, including a suite ($57.95) with two queen beds, a daybed, bath, and a darling small kitchen (fridge and microwave, plus table). Fairly new owners (since 1998) Dale and Hilde Bakke have done a great job restoring the property. Clean and economical, with a chance to get your history kicks, as well ;) I drove on from Tucumcari, and, as the sun started to lower in the horizon, took another impulsive turn. With a few days left before I needed to be back in Los Angeles, I decided to make the most of my last week on the road. I exited the Interstate and headed north.
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I knew I was in for a good dosage of mileage when I left Hardy, Arkansas. I had Oklahoma and Texas to cover before reaching the Southwest states. And I still had half of Arkansas to tackle, as well.
Moving on to Amarillo, I couldn't resist stopping at the