Texas Fast Facts Texas comes from the word "teysha" meaning "hello friend" in the language of the Caddo Indian tribes. Capital: Austin Largest City: Houston Land Area: 267,339 km² Population: 20.85mill   Biker road rules No helmet law   Overnight Stops Amarillo Weather Forecast Amarillo, Texas

The Lone Star State.
A single star was part of the Long Expedition (1819), Austin Colony (1821) and several flags of the early Republic of Texas. Some say that the star represented the wish of many Texans to achieve statehood in the United States. Others say it originally represented Texas as the lone state of Mexico which was attempting to uphold its rights under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

Sunset in Groom

Staying on Route 66, we pass through the small towns of Texola and Shamrock. We take a break in McLean and visit the restored Phillips 66 gas station. Now in Texas the landscape changes from being green and fertile to flat and barren – and a lot of big Texas sky. Further down the road we come across Groom, a town that is known for its leaning water tower and that boosts being host to one of the world’s largest crosses. We continue our journey towards Amarillo.

Groom Water Tower	Groom Cross

At the end of the day’s ride we hang our helmets at the Big Texan Steakhouse & Motel in Amarillo and rendezvous around the pool that is shaped like the state of Texas. There is a large Harley-Davidson dealer in town if anyone is looking for more gear (head out on I-40 west and take exit 66). Amarillo is definitely the place to make those cowboy purchases – boots, belts, Stetsons, etc.

Pool shaped like the state of Texas	72oz Steak

We all meet for dinner 8pm at the Big Texan Steakhouse, and elect someone to attempt the 72oz steak dinner. If you manage to eat the whole dinner within an hour, the meal is on the house. If you fail, however, your bill is close to $60.

Next morning you may purchase breakfast; at the same place we had dinner. We are packed up and ready to go at 10am.

Our first port of call is the Cadillac Ranch. Here, Guy Marsh 3, has planted 10 Cadillac’s from the fifty’s and sixty’s with their front ends in the ground. They are placed at the same angle as the pyramids in Egypt – hundreds of people stop every day to ogle this extraordinary spectacle – including us. Rumor has it that Guy visits every once in a while and has a good chuckle when he sees all the tourists discussing and contemplating his “work of art”. Ever so often, the cars are spray painted white, ready to be decorated with new graffiti.

Cadillac Ranch

Back on the trail headed west, we arrive in Adrian, and are now at the halfway point of our journey on Route 66. Fran and JoAnn welcome us to the Midpoint Café, we are served lunch and lovely apple pie (remember to ask for ice cream with the pie!). The café also houses one of the best Route 66 souvenir shops. By the way, on our ride to Adrian we passed through Wildorado, which is a collection point for cattle, you’ll know it by its smell…

The midpoint between Los Angeles and Chicago

We make a stop in the boarder town, now ghost town, of Glenrio. Here you can stand with one boot in Texas and the other in New Mexico and at the same time you are straddling two time zones.