Having now arrived in Amarillo and been introduced to Debra our host, we set about unpacking to enjoy our 1st House Sitting job of the journey. This would be a most welcome "slowdown" for sure. Debra was off to enjoy a few Holiday points somewhere up north and our job being to look after her lovely cat. Feed it, empty the poop tray, etc. Maybe even mow the lawn while we're there. No problem, all in a day work old chap.
The funny side of it was that the Feeder Tray and Water supply was automatically fed while the Poop tray was also automatically emptied and neatly scrapped twice a day ..... !!! ???? ..... Yep you're right, .."why were we there" ? .... .
It later became obvious that Debra really didn't need anyone to look after her baby but just wanted it to have some company in her absence. And we were the lucky folk to offer this ... WONDERFUL!!
Debra was great , such a loving person and one in a million kind of girl. We caught fish together, had scrumptious restaurant lunch, visited the museum and generally chilled out which was great!!........ and then she was off to enjoy her holiday .....
OK, and the BAD ??????? . Well it all started before arriving in Amarillo, only becoming evident when moving the car the next day. A huge puddle of oil right there,
.....on her lovely cement driveway ......!!
Long story short, it was our transmission so off the to local Honda dealer we go. Now it gets interesting, ... We're introduced to the Manager who insists on the use his company car while he and his team evaluate the damage... He suggests we pop in to see the "Cadillac Ranch " a few miles out of town to wile away the time and insists on us NOT worrying about a thing. So off we toddle feeling relieved and not so stressed anymore...
What seemed to be an eternity later ( four hours), I receive the chilling news, ... " The transmission repair would cost as much as we paid for the car. Not only that but the repair could not be carried out locally. It would require transporting over 200 miles away for repair........ A joke right?.... nope .. all true.
ANY GOOD NEWS come out of this you ask ????????
"....Well yes but just how to explain it??"
First, lets meet Debra and see a few cool pic's of our time while in Amarillo.
Its now time to meet our LIFE SAVER !!!! what a great representative of what can only be subscribed as " Going the extra 100 miles" type of guy !!
Having been the bearer of bad news and learning that we would be staying in and around Amarillo for another two weeks he,
.... can you believe it .......... !!!
Steve blew the wind out of our sails by insisting on the use of his company car for as long as we needed it. Not only that but he suggested we MUST see as few places, including and not limited to Albuquerque which was over 450 km away.
Well this opened up a new world of new experiences. Allowing us to continue our journey of discovery albeit different to the original plan. WONDERFUL !!!!
First we concentrated on investigating Amarillo and quickly came across a local Art Exhibition which in itself was an adventure. We met and laughed with wonderful Artists, all the time drinking offered wine and snacks while wondering around. We got on so well with one artist in particular that she invited us to meet her family and " SA connected / travelled "friends at home the following night for a splendid evening meal. What a GAS !!! . Enjoying stuff like Root Beer for goodness sake!!
How much more American you think we can go?
Many thanks to Lil and Taylor for the invite and great meeting both Karen and Wally who stayed in Pretoria in the 70's
Sadly we could kick ourselves for not participating at another invited event being a Special BBQ taking place at a nearby Ranch. Turns out the guy has all sorts of exotic animals and at which everyone was entertained and eat themselves silly .
Oh well, you can't have it all can you ??
..... this is a question still not answered successfully ..... but I'm working on it .
"Not much on Route 66 then?".... I hear you ask. Sadly you're right. Notably over the years with the new route / highway being built it seems only fools and horses (and some idiot tourists) feel the need to reminisce on something that has expired years and year sago ..... We did however enjoy the ride, viewed many interesting dilapidated buildings, managed to enter a few "still active yet unprofitable" establishments, visit the main Route 66 Museum which was fun and informative. PLUS ..... partake in lunch at two REAL LIVE Diners !! . The food was nothing to write home about either time but he experience was enjoyed as unique indeed.
Anyway, back to the trip , ....... I tried a surpise visit to see Buddy Holly in his hometown but he musta been on tour cause he was ain't there!! Off to Palo Dura Canyon, the 2nd largest in USA. ( we missed the Grand cause of the car man ,..bugger ... ).
On the way back to Amarillo we came across whose things called Cowboys & Gals. They was doing somethig called "Barrel Racing". "Howdee folks" we said, "any chance we can take a peek?." They they were mighty fine folk and they obliged accordingly, so we mooched on in and took a seat.
Goddang, but they could move. Yeeha i say , Yea Ha. (or some-ting)
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