Welcome to Paradise: Terry and Peggy Go For A Ride

I love signs. Terry loves bridges. We indulged each other’s loves by not complaining when the other one wanted to sidetrack to see something. I’ll break this down into catagories: Motels, Theaters, Restaurants, and Weird Stuff. Some of them could be in 2 catagories, but for simplicity’s sake we’ll keep them in one.

Not all these signs are Route 66 stuff. Some we saw on the way to Amarillo, some on the way home after leaving the Route in Joplin, but they are part of the trip and deserve a mention.

First, motels. Now, we all know what a Holiday Inn sign looks like. They get the message across with efficiency and little creativity. I like the creative signs, the quirky ones that are one-of-a-kind, like these:

The Shamrock, in a questionable section of Wichita Falls, TX (I think)

The Cowboy Motel, in a questionable part of Amarillo

The Cactus Motel, right down the road from The Cowboy Motel

Now, there’s the omnipresent McDonald’s Golden Arches, the Arby’s Hat, and the ubiquitous pig at various BBQ joints. I give you the restaurants we didn’t eat at, but who’s signs captured my imagination:

A BBQ place in Tallassee Alabama, it's 15 feet tall and too good to pass up.

This is cute, in Wichita Falls.

Brief, and to the point. Wichita Falls

The Acapulco, in Amarillo. Notice the groovy tilework.

It seems that every little town along the way had an elaborate theater sign, as if there was a competition between towns for the fanciest sign.

No, I don't remember where, but it's cool.

Amarillo? I think? It's all a blur.

There’s more, but in the interest of relative brevity, I’ll save them for later.

Strange and Unclassifiable signs…I love them, quirky and funny things, far removed from the bland homogeny of strip malls and chain stores.

Outside Tallassee, Alabama. Who wouldn't want this address?

A Dinosaur Sign, Of Course.

Quitaque, TX, their sign tells you how to say it

Outside a Bail Bondsman business in Amarillo.

Texola, TX, a genuine ghost town.

Apparently the school extracurricular programs sell fireworks for fundraising. we saw Cheerleaders, Wrestling teams, and Bands all selling fireworks.

ok, that’s all for now. More later!