Day 10-11 Big Texan RV Ranch, Amarillo, TX

Amarillo, TX April 14-April 16

Days 10-11

April 14-April 16

We left Weatherford around 8:15am and drove across the panhandle of Texas under chilly temps and gray skies. We got the best gas mileage of the trip so far, since the pan handle is as flat as your living room floor, with views for miles and miles of wind turbines, barbed wire fencing and cows. We arrived at the Big Texan Ranch RV Park around 11:15am. We had a couple attractions on our bucket list that we wanted to see before leaving, but weren’t sure we could enjoy them given the weather forecast was for rain and temps in the 40s.

On the front desk’s suggestion, we headed over the The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery for lunch and to plan out our adventures. We had no idea what we were about to experience. The restaurant is a World Famous Saloon that was built along the iconic Route 66 over 60 years ago. It is home to the legendary ‘Free’ 72oz steak challenge. All you have to do is eat a salad, a baked potato, shrimp cocktail, roll and butter, and of course, a 72oz steak, all in one hour. We arrived in time to see one guy try and fail, leaving 24oz on his plate and having to pay the full price of $72 for his attempt.

After that fun-filled experience, we decided to head over to the Cadillac Ranch while we still had good weather. This was one of the most bizarre attractions we’ve come across. 10 Cadillacs buried in the ground, nose down, covered in over 4 decades of graffiti and spray paint. I was really looking forward to doing some night photography at this location, but the weather didn’t cooperate. After taking a look at the rain forecast for tomorrow, we realized we should take a drive over to Palo Duro Canyon.

By the time we arrived at the 2nd largest Canyon in the United States, it was about 3pm, we knew we couldn’t get much time in, so we decide to drive as much of it as we could and stop along the parking areas to take in the views. By the time we got near the bottom, we pulled over at one of the trailheads and decided to take a short 3 mile MTB ride on the GSL trail to see the iconic Lighthouse rock formation. What an incredible experience to be able to ride through the red rock trails while taking in the spectacular landscape that has been in the making for millions of years. As with the Grand Canyon, I couldn’t help myself from stopping at every turn to snap another picture. I had only wished I had more than my cell phone with me.

We had really hoped the following day’s forecast had changed so we could explore more of the Canyon by bike, but it hadn’t. And that was OK, because I was given a much greater gift. As many of you know I was adopted and just recently found my birth family. On route to Amarillo, my cousin Kevin, whom I’ve never met on my mother’s side of the family, reached out and surprised us with a visit. He and his husband, Kev, drove 7 hours from Austin just to meet me. Although Kevin said he was making the trip to meet Rich! I felt beyond blessed. We had a wonderful visit as we enjoyed Kevin’s 14 hour smoked brisket, homemade potato salad (yep, not me) and Harvest Red from Texas. They also gifted us with 2 12 packs of Texas beer. Tucker even got to meet his new cousins Raider and Bella. They were all so cute together. We are sure hoping this is the first of many more visits with the boys. We absolutely adored them.

Tomorrow we are off the Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM. Sure hope the weather improves!

Destination-Big Texan RV Ranch, Amarillo, TX

This is how we 'Get our Kicks on Route 66!'

The Raspberry Wheat Ale was pretty tasty.

It doesn't get anymore Texan than this! The guy to the left up on the stage is attempting the 72oz Steak Challenge.

This restaurant is the home of the 'Free' 72 oz steak since 1960. Here are the rules and the first 15 winners of the free steak dinner.

58 years later, there are almost 10,000 'Free 72 oz Steak Dinner' winners!

The World record holder for the fastest time is a 120 lb house wife, 'Memorial Day Molly' who finished the whole dinner in 4 minutes and 58 seconds. This guy didn't even come close. He walked away with 24 oz of steak still left and had to pay $72.00 for the dinner.