We arose to severe weather warnings of serious storms and tornado risks across Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle (I’ll explain where that is in a second). We opted to travel a teeny bit of Route 66 and then cover distance on the I-40.
We were doing ok, cloudy skies but no dodgy weather. I had read that there was a great Route 66 museum in Elk City on Route 66 so we headed there. The museum looked ok but was not geared to crutches – too many buildings and walkways between them so we looked in the main building and that was enough for my one leg and arms to cope with.
On then to find lunch in Elk City. Hmm, no chance, dump springs to mind. As we were checking out a possible coffee shop (crap) the owner advised us that the severe weather warning was active and due to hit at 3pm. It was about 1.30 so we hit the I-40 hard to try to get out of the way.
We diverted to McLean on old Route 66, to the fab Barbed Wire museum. Ah Billy you were wrong, it was not boring at all, lovely lady there and just a bit quirky, so right up our street.
By this time we noted the skies darkening and cloud swirling (see the picture). Setting off again we went right for the I-40 with no plans to stop.
Then the weather hit. Incredible dark skies, howling side winds and then large hailstones, immense gusts of wind, spray. Cars were stopping under bridges to shelter but there was no room for any more so us and others had to continue on. Fork lightening struck either side of the road, rain and wind lashed us while trucks carried on barrelling along.
We went carefully with other cars, saw at least two overturned huge trucks just two cars ahead of us and still the thunder and lightening crashed. I was on tornado watch (thank goodness nothing) as we slowly passed out from the blackness into lighter skies. Phew.
On then towards Amarillo and a touch of sunshine. Texas itself is flat, flat, flat. The upper part where Route 66 runs sits sandwiched between Oklahoma and New Mexico and is called the Texas Panhandle. It looks nothing like a panhandle but does reflect a much thinner slot of land like a handle holding onto Texas.
Texas is also dusty and full of cows. So, what to do in Texas?? Eat steak of course.
Back to the weather then….severe storm warnings are still in place for Oklahoma and stretching into the Texas panhandle. We are not worried. We are checked into a very posh hotel, modern build with great staff. So far the skies look wonderfully clear, it’s just windy but looking at the open land, my guess is that it is windy all the time here.
Another long drive tomorrow to a place called Sherlock Holmes’ arch enemy. Elementary my dears!