Turning 50 Road Trip

Stopped off at Amarillo and picked up the family and a few friends. Heading out to Angel Fire, New Mexico. We try to rent a cabin there every year. My son Chris is going to be driving with his two friends in his own car.

I HATED leaving my little car at the house but Lula the Hula Girl is going with me at least.

Have you ever seen one of our most famous landmarks? It's called the Cadillac Ranch. A crazy old child molester drove a bunch of Caddies out to his land by the highway and parked them nose first into the ground at an angle matching the pyramids.

Its on the west side of Amarillo off of I-40. Be sure to bring a couple of cans of spray paint. You are supposed to get out and graffiti them. It's expected. :)

Pre-parade entertainment provided by cloggers. The average age of the group is 71. They were trying to recruit me. I told them that the last time I moved like that I pooped myself. They started to give some advice but quickly realized that I was kidding. The also picked out who's son I was. Apparently my dad is still well known here.

My Grandma sitting in the seat of honor on the family float. My uncle Bill is the most amazing person. He's reminds me of my own brother both in looks and self sacrifice for not only family but complete strangers. When we got there early he was already at work alone. My Uncle Bill was obviously in a hurry but stopped and asked a mentally challenged man if he would like a helium balloon, to which the mans replied" I would like two please." Uncle Bill smiled and promptly produced two "Forth of July" balloons for the man. It made the guy do the happy dance and start singing a happy Forth of July Balloon Song. I love him. BTW he doesn't do pictures very well. Imagine Abe Lincoln without the beard and mole.

The parade started with the VFW crew. They take their job very seriously. The also care for the cemetery. I know this because my dad said, "Those are the guys that are going to bury me." He has a plot next to his parents in the Grandview Cemetery. It is a little different culture there than in Amarillo.

This guy was paying homage to POW solders and rode the whole route in a bamboo cage, writs tied, and with a gunny sack over his head.

Fire trucks from all over the place.

Whoot Whoot!!! The parade she starts!!!!

ANY kid who wants to can ride in the parade. I did as a child and borrowed my cousin's bike. It was a GIRL bike but it was still cool to decorate and ride in the parade with strangers cheering. Thanks Kandy!!