Become a Texan in Amarillo

I really enjoyed visiting Amarillo. Texas is a whole 'nother country. The people are so friendly, the food is great and the land is beautiful.

La Quinta Inn--great hotel for it's price. I loved swimming in the pool in the evening.

Big Texan Steakhouse--Want to be a real Texan? Try the big 72 oz. steak. If you eat it all you don't have to pay.

Cadillac Ranch--12 cadillacs upended in the middle of a field. Can anyone say tourist trap?

Palo Duro Canyon--Great scenery, nice park, but avoid it at all costs in the hot weather.

Quick Tips:

The first thing you'll notice once you enter Texas is the common use of 'ya'll'. Don't fret. It means 'you all' or just plain 'you'. Try to fit in with the locals by using it too.

Best Way To Get Around:

Car. I don't know if Amarillo offers any public transportation or not. The heat is unbearable so walking or biking might not be an option during the summer.

The Laquinta Inn was a great place to stay. We had a travel coupon for the other location and they took it at this one with no problems. Outdoor pool in the back, coffee maker in the room and continental breakfast. My only complaint is that the price was a little high for Amarillo.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a real doozy. The 2 story restaurant is decorated in true Texas style--deer heads on the walls, wood paneling and leather booths.

The Steak Ranch's slogan is "Home of the FREE 72oz Steak Dinner". Participants, or should I say "victims", have only one hour to eat a 72oz steak, salad, roll, shrimp cocktail and baked potato. It looks easier than it really is. The night I visited, a 20-something guy tried the challenge, but didn't succeed. The steak was literally is falling off his plate and was at least and inch and a half thick. The poor guy only ate about half of his dinner.

Amazingly enough, many have actually devoured the whole meal, but it had been nearly a month since anyone had when I visited.

For those such as I who aren't up for the challenge, but enjoy a thick juicy steak none-the-less the Big Texan Steak Ranch has other smaller versions available. I had a tender 14 oz. that melted in my mouth. Salad rolls and a baked potato come with your steak so come hungry and leave with your stomach poppin'. They sure know how to eat in Texas! If you order a beer, may I suggest the boot? Draft beer is served in a glass collectors boot.

Remember the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Palo Duro Canyon is where they filmed it. It shouldn't take you all day to see the canyon. Plan on between 2 and 4 hours. That is, unless you want to do some of the other fun activities. The beautiful scenery makes horseback riding a pleasure. You can eat chuckwagon style and pretend your back in the old west. In the evening, keep the kids entertained with the gun fight show. Plan to go in the early morning or just before sundown because it can be so hot.

The Cadillac Ranch is, well, it's not really a ranch, but more like 10 Caddies up-ended in a field. The Cadillacs range in age and style--from a 1949 Club Coupe to a 1963 Sedan. The Cadillac Ranch is one of those sites that less sophisticated people call "tourist traps". I beg to differ. Like Carhenge's cousin, the Cadillac Ranch is true art, up close and live.

The Cadillac Ranch was created in 1974 by the San Francisco-based Ant Farm artists' and architects' collective. Amarillo helium millionare Stanley Marsh III was the patron for the project, donating the land upon which it sat until 1997 when the Ranch was moved two miles because of Amarillo's expanding city limits.

The artists allow for creative expression and participation with their art and suggest bringing cans of spray paint to leave your own message.

If you don't stop, at least look to your left while heading west out of town. That's east if you're heading into town. To get there is a little tricky. When you're in town, drive west on I-40 for about six miles. Then exit off of the highway and get on the frontage road that heads back into town. You'll be able to park your car and get a closer look.

Pictures are coming soon!