Welcome to Texas - the big sign on I-40....

....and the much less grand one on Route 66!

Really cool sky full of contrails over Texas near Shamrock.

Route 66 as a frontage road to I-40 near Shamrock TX.

Abandoned Motel complex & VERY old sign, Shamrock TX.

The U Drop In Tower Conoco station in Shamrock TX is a famous Route 66 icon.

Abandoned Service Station & and other businesses and a faded water tower, McLean TX.

Nice restored Phillips 66 Gas Station, McLean TX

A street of abandoned and empty houses, McLean TX.

Route 66 Museum & Devils Rope Museum, McLean TX.

Route 66 Museum giant snake, McLean TX

Bradley Kiser 1930 66 Super Service Station, Alanreed TX.

Restored 1932 Phillips 66 gas station, Alanreed TX.

We're still with Mother - old Route 66 road marker, Alanreed TX.

Giant Cross (190 feet), Groom TX.

'Leaning Tower', Groom TX.

Long abandoned Tourist Cabins, Conway TX.

Former Buddys Cafe, Conway TX.

Abandoned large brick building, Conway TX. Thanks to Bob and Georgia for pointing out that this was most likely a WPA-era school building.

Old Route 66 section seems in a hurry to get to New Mexico, near Conway TX.

Signs to "Panhandle" and "Borger" (like being back in Chicago) as we approach an overpass of I-40 near Conway TX.

Undoubtedly the highlight of our visit to Amarillo TX was the dinner at the Big Texan. Great fiendly service and possibly the best steak I've had in a life full of eating good steaks!

Big Texan - Giant Boot, Amarillo TX.

The famous Big Texan Sign is a Route 66 icon, Amarillo TX.

Big Texan 11oz Rib Eye Steak, Mushrooms, Green Beans and Texas Rice, Amarillo TX. Sigh, 'nuf said.

Amarillo TX has its share of abandoned sites, this is an abandoned BBQ Ribs Restaurant in downtown.

The abandoned Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant neon sign is a mournful sight, Amarillo TX.

The Cattleman's Club & Cafe sounded like another great place to eat, Amarillo TX.

The Cowboy Motel seemed to fit right in in Amarillo TX. While taking the photo of this sign we also accidentally got the signs for the Sundown Motel and the Wagon Wheel Motel.

Something you don't see all that often - these two buildings side by side in downtown Amarillo TX appear to be former Chinese Restaurants.

Frankies Route 66 Diner is another place we would have patronised if we'd had more time in Amarillo TX.

The Natatorium is another Route 66 icon in Amarillo TX.

The old Natatorium sign, Amarillo TX.

Old weathered Route 66 signs, Amarillo TX.

Faithfully on track on the Mother Road, Amarillo TX.

Sinclair dinosaur & sign at OCs Used Autos, Amarillo TX.

It was great to see Cadillac Ranch in person on our way west out of Amarillo TX. The art of these vintage, buried cars was a neat site to witness. Although their classic car insurance must have run out long ago, the appeal to see these is still alive and vital. Just one of the many must-sees for the Route 66 excursion.

Another abandoned gas station, Vega TX. Like so many other closed businesses we saw on Route 66, this one looked like they just locked up one day and never came back.

This abandoned Shell Gas Station looked like it hadn't been closed THAT long, Vega TX.

Dots Mini-Museum is a long standing Route 66 icon in Vega TX.

Former Shops in Vega TX. The signs in the window of the 1922 one read "Welcome to Vega" and "Vega, the town you will never want to leave". Sad.

This restored 1926 Magnolia Gasoline Station in Vega TX is a Route 66 must see.

Main Street, Vega TX.

Welcome to friendly Adrian TX, the geographical mid-point of Route 66, half way between Chicago and Santa Monica.

If you ever pass through Adrian TX be sure to stop at the Midpoint Cafe. We were greeted with warmth and interest by the people there and the "ugly crust" pie is a must-eat and a Route 66 legend. You'll meet friendly fellow road travellers and spend a memorable time here for sure! Gidday from Brisbane Tom and Fran!

Tom took this photo of us AFTER a close encounter with the famous Midpoint Cafe "ugly crust" pie - therefore the bulging bellies!

Ugly crust pie served with a friendly Midpoint Cafe smile by Tom and Fran, Adrian TX.

Midpoint Cafe Adrian TX ugly crust pie before ....

.... and after. Happily replete ate the Midpoint Cafe, Adrian TX

Midpoint Cafe interior is very "Route 66" and welcoming, Adrian TX.

Tom, now working at the Midpoint Cafe, is the former proprietor of the now closed Bent Door Midway Station and Phillips 66 Station - another Route 66 icon in Adrian TX.

The Texas Bar-B-Q looks like another interesting place to eat in Adrian TX.

One of those enigmatic, indeed eccentric, Stanley Marsh 3 signs, this one in Adrian TX. Stanley Marsh 3 is the creator of the Cadillac Farm outside Amarillo, amongst other things.

This bandoned art deco Diner is an interesting sight on old Route 66 through Glenrio TX.

Long abandoned Gas & Service Centre, Glenrio TX.

An abandoned Motel & Cafe, Glenrio TX. Claremore OK.

Abandoned Service Station is just a shell now (pardon the pun!!), Glenrio TX.

Abandoned truck and other junk outside yet another abandones Service Station, Glenrio TX.