Visiting The Cadillac Ranch, Looking Around, Enjoying Different Food and Getting Ready To Roll.

Our Location today is Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A. 

Even though last night’s low temperature dipped way too close to the freezing mark it seemed that the combined long drive we had yesterday, the cool air, the constant drone of the I-40 traffic and my past sleepless nights made for the both of us to sleep like a couple of rocks. The weird part was that having lost an hour by traveling into the Central Time Zone we were both awake shortly after 8:00 this morning. 

Cadillac Ranch as seen from the Frontage Road.

After eating our breakfast we spent a bit of time getting caught up on our morning reading before getting ready to go out for a bit this morning. Our destination was to see the Cadillac Ranch just west of our location. We actually drove near it yesterday but bringing our trailer with us was not what we wanted to do.  

Kathy had set the GPS to make certain we arrived with no problem but there was a problem. The part of I-40 where we needed to exit was under construction so we went one stop further. Even though I was driving on the Frontage Road where the Cadillac Ranch is located the GPS want us to get back on the highway and get off at the Exit Ramp it first told us to take. Needless-to-say it got turned OFF. 

Lucky for us, we had dressed in layers because the morning temperatures and wind were uncomfortably cold. There was a young family there wearing Beach Towels over their coats to keep warm. Walking through the gate into the Corn Field/Pasture was easy but the ground was noticeably damp from recent rains. We had a chance to look over this creation and get a number of photos but we didn’t try to Spray Paint our mark because of the blowing Wind as many others unsuccessfully did. 

The fence and gate are also coated with paint.

Here is an Edited version from On-line what is said about the Cadillac Ranch. 

The horizontal coloured lines are painted Barbed Wire.

Cadillac Ranch is not a ranch but a public art installation and sculpture in Amarillo, Texas, USA. It was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Doug Michels who were architects and Hudson Marquez  who was an art student at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. The group claims to have been given a list of eccentric millionaires in 1972 in San Francisco, identifying Stanley Marsh 3 of Amarillo amongst those who might be able to fund their project. 

It consists of what were (when originally installed during 1974) either older running used or junk Cadillac automobiles. Most notably was the birth and death of the defining feature of mid twentieth century the Cadillac’s Tailfins from 1949 to 1963. They are half-buried nose-first in the ground, at an angle corresponding to that of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. 

Cadillac Ranch was originally located in a wheat field, but in 1997, the installation was quietly moved by a local contractor to a location two miles (three kilometers) to the west, to a cow pasture along Interstate 40, in order to place it farther from the limits of the growing city. Both sites belonged to the local millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 who was well known in the city for his longtime patronage of artistic endeavors including the Cadillac Ranch; As of 2013, Stanley Marsh 3 did not own the Cadillac Ranch. Its ownership appears to have been transferred to a family trust some time before his June 2014 death. 

Yard Art.

Cadillac Ranch is visible from the highway, and though located on private land, visiting it (by driving along a frontage road and entering the pasture by walking through an unlocked gate) is encouraged. In addition, writing graffiti on or otherwise spray-painting the vehicles is now encouraged, and the vehicles, which have long since lost their original colors, are wildly decorated.

What did upset Kathy and I a bit were the number of Spray Cans, Lids and Plastic Bags that littered the Sculpture and surrounding Field even though there were Two Waste Bins themselves covered in Graffiti up by the Frontage Road for their disposal. We fear that if the littering continues, the ability to visit this site and add to the Graffiti may be taken away in the future. Other than being cold we enjoyed our visit. 

It drove away minutes later.

Instead of driving straight back to the Amarillo Ranch RV Park we saw a few other things we just decided to stop and see. At one of the traffic lights on the same Frontage Road was the Cadillac RV Park. They have on display three very well preserved Cadillacs parked on special cement pads to imitate the Cadillac Ranch Sculpture. 

Cadillac RV Park as we drove by.

Everywhere you go around here you see people wearing Western Clothing so when we saw Cavender’s Boot City we thought that we’d just check it out. Being tired of driving it felt good to just walk around. They had anything you wanted in the clothing line from the Inexpensive to the Budget Breaker. It didn’t matter whether you were looking at Hats, Boots or Belts they had them to suit your budget. 

Kathy in front of Cavender's Boot City.

By that time we realized it was past 12:30 so we thought we’d grab a quick bite out. We stopped at Fuddruckers for lunch. It was our first time there so we joined the steady line of patrons ordering our meals, then filling our own drinks and waiting at our table for the Electronic Pager to notify us our meal was ready for pick up. It all tasted great and it cost less then a big restaurant and we won’t hesitate to go back 

Kathy with a horse of a different colour in front of Fuddruckers.

Back Home we each had our own chores to take care of. Kathy had more research to do on the Computer while I headed to the Park Laundromat. 

It was past 6:30 when we stopped for supper tonight. Keeping it light Kathy served Soup and Salad along with Blueberry covered Yogurt with a dollop of Cool Whip for flavouring. 

Healthier Supper

While Kathy cleaned the dishes I went outside to prep the truck for towing in the morning as well as getting a few things ready with the trailer so we won’t be leaving so late in the morning. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy! 

It’s about time.

Krackers 

You Might Be a Redneck If 

You're asked, "Will that be a combo meal?" and you answer, "Duh!"