A Route 66 Trip

For years my mom had been itching to go on trips. Finally my dad felt the same way and once or twice a year my parents get to go on nice little road trips. A few months ago they hopped in the jeep and drove the portion of Route 66 through Texas and into New Mexico. The majority of these pictures were taken in Shamrock, McLean, and Newkirk, NM. Perhaps one day I can go along with this route myself and visit the ghost towns, the ghost houses, the ghost hotels, and the ghost diners that once hosted past generations only remembered through photographs.

Museum of Natural Science

I went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see the Pirate Exhibit. I remember coming here for over 20 years. Originally there was the head of a Tyrannosaurus not the entire body (as seen above). While looking for the exhibit my companion and I wound up in the basement (thinking we were on the second floor). We found the mummy that used to be on display. Look at how short people in ancient Egypt were! If I were alive then I'd be running things. I took a snap shot before my companion pointed out the "no photography" sign on the display case. After the pirate exhibit (they forbade pictures sadly) we went to the gem exhibit. Granted the pieces were quite lovely but also boring. I can see some poor sap walking through there with his wife/girlfriend and she gets an idea in her head. "Honey why don't you buy me anything nice!"

Downtown Navasota on a Friday Night

I arrived in Navasota later on that Friday evening. I am originally from a small town about the size of Navasota. However I've lived in the Houston metrolplex for the last 13 years and I've definitely accumulated to big city life. Houston never sleeps and that is the biggest perk to living here. If I need something at any hour I can go get it. In Navasota it was roughly after 8 in the evening and most of the town was shut down. There was a coffee shop/cafe/music venue but they wanted $10 just to come in. While we were walking downtown with our cameras I shot this brief video clip to give an idea of what was going on. Shortly after the video a rain storm came through. By then I was hungry and worried I wouldn't find an place open. Fortunately I found a Dairy Queen that was still open. I'm reminded that I take many things for granted living here and when I go to places like this I have to remind myself to plan ahead. I also am reminded of my upbringing in Liberty, TX, and how much fun it can be to explore life outside the concrete jungle.

Allen/Terrell Farm, TX

In the 1820s a second batch of colonists sent by Stephen F. Austin settled the area that would become Allen Farm, TX. The town functioned for about 200 years before declining in population. After that Texas A & M alumni Will Terrell purchased the property and is working to preserve the original buildings. This is private property and permission is needed to come out and walk around and take pictures. I wish to thank Mr. Terrell and the City of Navasota for affording me this chance to visit a ghost town. Not many people have been out here and I'm grateful for the experience. I got to walk back in time to an extent. I found some remainders of the original inhabitants. In the restored train depot one will find scrap books of photographs from decades gone. One will also find signatures on the back wall from people who worked there and are long gone.