Well, the mile count is up to about 2200 now, and I cannot tell you how sick of driving I am. But we only have two more days: St. Louis, then Chicago. I think I can, I think I can, I think I'll shoot someone, I think I can...
But to lighten up your day, there is nothing like seeing a giant cross on the side of the highway around Groom, Texas. I'd read about this thing in my guidebook, but I had no idea until we were approaching it that this was my image source for one of my weavings: it's the cross in the hand of St. Margaret of Antioch. I found a snapshot of it on the innerwebs, and I used it because it had interesting shading. The place itself, with the ministry attached, is quite evangelist-creepy. There's a shrine for aborted children, for example. But it's none the less fascinating, that people would spend this much time and money building a cross simply meant to attract visitors. I see this all the time with Catholic cathedrals, and I usually take it as a matter of course, but this was different. It's a little too close to home, I think, a little too much of my childhood.
And then I bought a magnet and some Tall Cross Triple Berry Preserves (?!?) at the gift shop. Katie and I were talking about our mixed feelings in supporting a place like this; on the one hand, I think it's valuable as a tangible piece of our religious culture and I want it to be maintained, but on the other, I'm afraid of other uses to which my money could be put. I don't want to evangelize people or support an abortion clinic bombing. It's sticky, and I don't have a real answer.
Stop 2 today was a great art deco café/filling station from the 1930's in Shamrock, Texas. It's so beautiful, and it's been amazingly well-restored. Now, because I failed to namecheck Tori Amos in my previous mention of Winslow, Arizona, I have to tell you that part of my reason for wanting to see this is another Tori Amos song. In fact, (U Drop Inn at the ) Dew Drop Inn was the name of one of her tours. I KNOW you don't care, and yet I am compelled to tell you. I am also compelled to tell you about one of the funniest things I've read in my guidebook so far: in Shamrock, all the men grow their beards for Saint Patrick's Day, and if you don't, there is a price put on your head. I would live in this town for that one and only reason, and it would be totally worth it.
Our last stop for the day was the National Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. It's slick and shiny, with interactive exhibits and fully restored cars (along with a full-scale restored 50's diner). I absolutely loved the 40's Ford roadster...it weighs 3000 pounds and probably gets about 5 miles to the gallon, but it is PRETTY AND I WANT ONE. So anyone who has yet to give me a birthday gift...
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