To Amarillo, Texas

A very early start this morning, leaving Denver before 8.30am. We had a long drive ahead of us because we wanted to get to Amarillo, Texas - distance some 423 miles (700+km). The first half was on I-25 (interstate) through Colorado and New Mexico. We found the scenery through Colorado very interesting and pretty with the mountains to our right. Still managing to see pronghorn in the fields, and warning signs for deer and bears - which we did not see.

We crossed the border into Texas and had to drive along a state highway which was only dual carriage way (1 in each direction) due to road works. The landform changed into flat plains - very different from Colorado - where we could see to the horizon, including the road, and not much to see except very dry land. There were 'ranches' along the way and lots of cattle!

We arrived in Amarillo thinking it was 5pm but we were back on central time in Texas so we had to put our clocks forward an hour, making it 6pm. Nightfall didn't happen until after 8!

Amarillo, originally named Oneida, is situated in the Llano Estacado region. The availability of the railroad and freight service provided by the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad contributed to the city's growth as a cattle marketing center in the late 19th century. Amarillo is the regional economic center for the Texas Panhandle and is economically important to Eastern New Mexico and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

The city was once the self-proclaimed "Helium Capital of the World" for having one of the country's most productive helium fields. The city is also known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas" (as the city takes its name from the Spanish word for yellow), and most recently "Rotor City, USA" for its V-22 Osprey hybrid aircraft assembly plant.

Amarillo operates one of the largest meat packing areas in the United States. Pantex, the only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility in the country, is also a major employer. The attractions Cadillac Ranch and Big Texan Steak Ranch were located adjacent to Interstate 40. U.S. Highway 66 also passed through the city.

Across the road from our hotel is a Mexican Restaurant, 'Acapulco' so we wandered on over there with an idea of having a bite to eat. Lesley had phoned us from Australia wishing me a Happy Birthday (because it's Saturday morning there) so we decided we should start celebrating my birthday because it's Friday night here!

You'll enjoy the photos below - that's a 'Regular' margarita I've ordered and David had to try the concoction he ordered. Several other patrons were drinking them and David had to ask the waiter what it was - of no name really and they've only been making them for the last month!

It's a stubby of beer upturned into a frozen margarita - and they come in different flavours depending on the beer chosen!

We liked our waiter who also obliged with our request to speak in spanish - I think he found us slightly amusing - and after two margaritas, we thought we were slightly amusing too! Let's hope we can keep the Birthday celebrations in 'top gear' for tomorrow!!!