Changing Scenery

We've covered a lot of ground since I posted last and the view out the window certainly shows it! I have to admit that we struggled across that panhandle of TX, wondering why all of our Texas friends think they have such bragging rights about their homeland. I have to admit, we had some incredible steak for dinner in Amarillo, which almost made up for the monotonous terrain.

Before we left Oklahoma City and headed into the Lone Star State, we spent a few hours at the National Cowboy Museum. This was one that we almost skipped, but I am so glad it made the final cut. That place was incredible and we were all engaged for about 4 hours. They had a huge collection of paintings, sculptures, and other western themed art pieces. They also had tons of memorphailia from western movies, rodeos, cowboy and Native american artifacts. Did you know there was a classification system for barbed wire? There is, and there are over 1300 kinds of it on display. They have recreated a western town complete with a church, jail, and school room that the kids loved exploring. All in all, it was a big hit.

The kids especially loved the cowboy corral section where they got to dress up in full cowboy gear and pretend to set up camp.

Lots of cowboy scenes. This one depicted a cowboy camp.

Here's Lily exploring the rodeo section.

Isaac was exploring one of the many pull-out drawers featuring different types of barb wire.

All the kiddos, just outside the old town saloon.

We made our way to Amarillo from there, where we feasted on amazing steaks before hitting the sack. This morning, we decided to take part in one of those iconic US road trip rituals and paint our names on the cars at the Cadillac Ranch. Let's just say, that I don't think any of us have a future in grafitti, but we had fun trying. Of course, the TX wind didn't help our cause at all!

Running to explore the rainbow covered cars.

Liz found the perfect spot, but needed help from daddy.

Ryan managed to get "DAD" painted legibly. The wind made it hard to control the paint spray.

Abby made her mark!

We pulled out of Amarillo and headed to Albuquerque. Along the way we stopped for lunch at the New Mexico burger joint we'd heard so much about... Blake's Lotaburgers. The kids didn't understand why we couldn't just grab Subway, but we keep insisting that we're going to try to experience local fare when we can.

We thoroughly enjoyed the terrain change today. The flatland gave way to occassional mesas and the eventually the sandy mountains. The vegetation is drastically different in just the 4 hours we traveled today and we enjoyed watching for tumbleweeds and cactus along the way.

Once we reached Albuquerque, we visited the Indian Pueblo Culture Center. We learned lots about the Pueblo culture and the 19 different Pueblo nations. The pottery from each Pueblo was very beautiful and distinctly different. It made me wish I had a month to just explore the different Pueblos, that alone would be a fascinating trip.

The kids loved the idea of the ladders to get around and to defend against enemies.

One of the many Pueblo art pieces we got to see.

Lily was fascinated by the Pueblo oven.

Abe tries his hand at an upright loom.

We've had a great couple of days, we're all adjusting to mountain time, though the kids are starting to wear down. They got to bed early tonight, so I'm hoping they'll be refreshed for our journey to Mesa Verde tomorrow!