Tag Archives: Texas

Skywatch Friday – The Groom Cross

Last week I posted about Cadillac Ranch on the west side of Amarillo. Once ou get through Amarillo, headed east, you come to a giant cross near, the town of Groom. Naturally, since I was by myself, I pulled off I-40 to check it out.

The cross is 190 feet tall. It was installed in 1995. In addition to the big cross their are other artworks on the site depicting the stations of the cross, the last supper, an empty tomb, a gift shop and other things. The name of the site is “The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries.” Hit the link to go to their web site. The cross and other attractions are free and there is plenty of parking.

The site was built by Texas oilman Steve Thomas and his wife Bobby. The story is that he always wanted to be a missionary but liked staying home so he built this because of its proximity to Interstate 40 and Route 66. So people come to him in a sense.

The Last Supper installation with the replica Calvary Hill behind it.

St. Michael the Archangel defeating Samson.

It’s a nice, restful stop, (complete with restrooms) and is nicely done. And if you are into such things there is a geocache on the property (yes I found it.)

As an aside, Steve Thomas built the site on land owned by another man, Ralph Britten. Mr. Britten is the owner of another attraction in Groom, the leaning water tower. The tower was built this way to publicize the Britten Truck Stop which is long gone. The water tower still stands today and is a long time Route 66 attraction.

So now you know all about Groom, Texas.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday and My Corner of the World

Road Trip Skies – Tower Gas Station and the Bug Ranch

On interstate 40 last week on the way to a class reunion in Arizona. The Texas Panhandle is pretty flat but the skies were interesting. Lots of people tell me how “boring” this stretch of road is. I don’t find it boring at all! Oh no, I see all sorts of interesting things while driving.

I stopped for gas in Shamrock, Texas. Shamrock is home to the Tower Gas Station. A beautiful art deco structure from the 1930’s. It has been restored and is beautiful. It is no longer a gas station but more of a visitor center.

Attached is “Do Drop Inn” a former restaurant that has also been preserved. Roadside America has a post on this stop. The gas station and former cafe are big stops for Route 66 fans.

Further to the west on the freeway is the Bug Ranch. It is kind of like Cadillac Ranch (for a later post). I found it fun. It’s free and they take donations so I gave them a couple dollars. It’s another Route 66 attraction. Most references call it the slug bug ranch.

You can buy spray paint but I declined. I just wanted to take photos.

They had a couple of other vehicles as well.

I love road trips. The rest of my family hates them. I kind of like the Route 66 attractions but I don’t spend much time driving Route 66. Too slowwww!!!

I am linking with Skywatch Friday and My Corner of the World

Skywatch Friday – Going Old School in East Texas

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I’m going way old school here. This is a double exposure of a road crossing in east Texas in 2014 using on of my analog Lomography Cameras with a square frame. I love analog cameras although I haven’t used one in a long time for various reasons. With film cameras is a high cost, high risk endeavor because it may take a few days to see if what you tried was usable or not. My batting average is not very high but I like this.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday