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11.14.2010
I'm lying in a Quality Inn hotel bed watching a Harry Potter marathon, digesting an amazing dinner of Texas BBQ and preparing for a good night's sleep after our second day on the road traveling to New Orleans.We've been driving 500 miles a day and should reach the city early enough tomorrow to still have time in the afternoon for unpacking and exploring our new town!We sure have been living the good life ever since we left Denver and the campus' prison food behind.After a month of that, you'll understand this entry's fascination with food.
Yesterday we stopped for the night in Amarillo, TX and had the most amazing buffalo burgers at a place called the Big Texan Steak Ranch.Perhaps you've heard of it?According to the framed Maxim magazine article on the wall, it's rated as one of the U.S.'s top 10 steakhouses.This is primarily due to their eat-this-72oz.-steak-plus-all-the-sides-within-an-hour dinner challenge.And yes, they have buckets set up next to their make shift table on a stage in case your delicate little stomach isn't Texas enough to handle the challenge!But get this, that's not even the best part.The best part is that they have free limo service to and from their restaurant!Wait, the actual best part is that the limo had longhorn cattle horns on the front!!And I got to flirt a little with the pony-tailed slow-talkin' cowboy driver!!!My team already thinks I'm weird for loving country music, and now they are highly entertained by my overall love for the country lifestyle.It kind of sealed the deal when I voiced how disappointed I was that we weren't able to stop long enough to go to the American Quarter Horse Museum or the World Championship Ranch Rodeo held every November in the Amarillo Civic Center.
AMARILLO - Fun Facts!
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" most recently "Rotor City, USA" for its V-22 Osprey hybrid aircraft assembly plant.
·The settlement originally was called Oneida; it would later change its name to Amarillo. Amarillo's name probably derives from yellow wildflowers that were plentiful during the spring and summer or the nearby Amarillo Lake and Amarillo Creek, named in turn for the yellow soil along their banks and shores (Amarillois the Spanish word for the coloryellow).
·Home to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the United States' second largest canyon system, after theGrand Canyon.
·The attractions Cadillac Ranch, a monument of painted Cadillac automobiles that were dug into the ground head first, and Big Texan Steak Ranch were located on the formerU.S. Highway 66, which passes through the city.
·Music artist and composerTerry Stafford("Amarillo by Morning") was born and raised here.I know!I was really upset when I found out George Strait didn't write it.Then again, he doesn't really play the guitar much either.But that voice, those Wranglers, what more does one need?
TYLER - Fun Facts!
·The city is named forPresident John Tylerin recognition of his support for Texas' admission to the United States.
·Arthur "Dooley" Wilson- actor and singermost well known for playing Sam in the movieCasablanca
·Tyler has been nicknamed the "Rose Capital of the world" because about 20% of commercial rose bushes produced in the U.S. are grown here and more than half of the rose bushes are packaged and shipped from the area. It has the nation's largest municipal rose garden and hosts theTexas Rose Festivaleach October, which draws more than 100,000 spectators.
·In 1985, the internationalAdopt-a-Highwaymovement originated in Tyler
·A GreatPlacesToRetire.comsurvey of retirement cities lists Tyler as one of America's top retirement cities
Just so you know, we'll be coming through Tyler and Amarillo on our way back to Denver a month from now after our project is over and we already have plans to eat at both Rudy's BBQ and the Big Texan Steakhouse.Oh my so much to look forward to!And let's not even get started dreaming about the seafood, the beignets, and the Creole and Cajun food.My next entry will be from NOLA, be prepared for at least a mention of the deliciousness that is to come!
- comments
Jay now i'm hungry....and there's not a decent barbecue place open around here right now...in fact there's not a barbecue place open around here at all....in fact there's not a barbecue place around here period....i'm transferring schools for my last semester
Jay miss you
June Julie, There are about a million great places to in N'Ohlins. NOLA is one, but there are some holes in the wall that have great po'boys, beignets, etc. I just wish I could remember the names of them. I loved the Catholic church in the square downtown, and Cafe du monde. Oh, and the pralines! I never liked them before visiting Nawlins, but I got used to them, and love them now! Oh, and the shrimp at Brennens, and the brunch and the bananas foster! You are right, so much food to look forward to! Hope your project goes well! Love you!