Amarillo, Tx to Lubbock, Tx

It was Monday morning Amarillo, Labor Day, so we thought we would take a stroll along Route 66! This section in Amarillo is made up of weird antique shops, little cafes and a few old cars, not unlike the English "Lanes" in Brighton, but of course very American.

This is an example of the cars, and also the Mexican influence now becoming very strong in the selection of cuisine available.

Then it was "back on the road again!" To a wonderful place - about 20 miles south of Amarillo - The Palo Duro Canyon. For 20 miles we drive in the landscape we have now become accustomed to - flat, very flat and barren and then "POW", the sudden drop!

It was great, the vastness, solitude, the birds singing, and the fact that a road had been built down into and round the base of the Canyon. Camp sites, picnic sites and of course points of interest planned along the way.

This is a hot temperature meter, we were there, thankfully on a refreshingly cold day. It was placed on the top of the canyon so visitors would know what the temp would be at the bottom, its 10 degrees hotter there. This reads 92!

Just an example to show the vastness, the photographs don't always do this justice.

The guide in the shop explained that there was a cave towards the end of the route, we of course had to explore! A rocky climb, but shared with other visitors, young and old, all looking out for one another... The cave was not huge, but, provided a terrific view.

The infamous Texas Longhorn, he seemed quite friendly!

It was then onto Lubbock, where our Indian receptionist loved the fact that we were from the UK - as we understood that cricket was a game and not an insect! We struggled to find a place to eat and ended up in the lobby of the Holiday Inn for supper - very strange, but nice..