I never fail to be amazed at the variance of quality of motels in the US. Even chains do not have the same quality controls it appears.

My Amarillo Texas Motel was typical. The Web site had great photos and the outside image also gave one of quality that matched it's location next to the American Quarter Horse Museum and US Headquarters.

The price per room was $39.99 plus taxes, cheap but with the over supply of motel rooms a fair price.

The lobby was hard to describe as lighting was so poor however the receptionist was pleasant and efficient so I was booked into my room in a timely manner. The room was spacious and had sufficient furniture. The carpet was well worn and threadbear near the door, that I could live with.

I went to the recreational area, yes the indoor heated pool was in operation and inviting. The sauna, the amenties block and the spa all taped off for repairs. Well the tape was so worn these repairs had not progressed ths year at least.

The plants needed a water and small amounts of the evidence of past pool users rested on the furniture guess staff never visit the area.

The bed was clean and soft but I was lucky one whole wing was decaying and the evidence of renovation was every where creating a walking hazard but again the steel was rusty so guess they too had stalled.

Breakfast while consisting of one cereal a spoon of scrambled egg and a small beef patty with one piece of bread, after you had submitted the coupon from the desk, but No Sir you get one 5oz (120ml) of fruit juice any more incurs a $5 fee into a jar marked "Tips"one was sufficient!

I left and ten minutes later I again passed the same motel. No I was not lost, seems Amarillio is like OK city, road detours that send you back East when you want to go West but eventually they do get you onto the correct road a combination of I-40 & Route 66.

Dinner the night before was a short walk to the local Cracker Barrel. These are a chain of Country Shops that sell both a wide range of merchanidse including cookware, clothing,crockery,music,sweets and books. The books and music are unusual and different from those found in most other stores except Walmart. Music is often special editions only available at Cracker Barrel Stores with a variety from the modern Rock artists such as Lady A to religious music.

The books include a wide range of books aimed at the youngest child as a member of a unified married family to Children's guide to 5 minute bible verses.

The food is good and reasonably priced my favourite dish being Pecan Orange Catfish with sides of whole kernal corn and mashed potatoes or a small side salad.

A store manager is always circulating with a iPad continually monitoring length of service per table. they are not aiming to move the customer on quickly but checking that the kitchen is getting the meal onto the customers table within their time factor as predetermined industry standards. They also monitor customer waiting time before service is offered then how long before the first drink arrives. No slack staff at Cracker Barrel!

Having filled in your time I by now had got back into a Westward direction and had soon cleared the city and took off ramp 60 Hope Road the reason being to arrive at the Cadallic Ranch to see the living work of art being 1970-80's cars buried so only a small section appears above the ground. Well recent rains had created a mudbath for those who wanted to touch the relics or add to the graffite. They have cans of paint for sale at the site despite signage warning it is a state offence. Unfortunate most parts of the cars have been removed and the scene is littered with rubbish.

As I left I note a big black van parked behing the Indian and a man photographing my bike. I walked across said nothing as I got my camera out and photographed the van and its licence plate. Well he was not impressed ," ïts an offence to photograph US Government property"

I simply replied "its also illegal according to your licence plate to use this vehicle for private purposes and I have also photgraphed your family at the cars, so go talk to yourself Mr Government man"and rode off.

Luch was a buffet in a small Texas town which was a smart move as they who ordered from the menu were still waiting as I finished and left. Another small town was a much needed resting spot in the 36oC temperatures where I ordered a hot tea but got an iced tea, guess English & US English still has some translation problems.

I asked "Does Route 66 follow the main Street"Yes just two blocks then you are in residential areas".

I rode two blocks then dirt road and a sign saying Historic Route 66 End!

I parked the Indian and took the photograph to prove the point, what was I to do was this really the end of Route 66 I still had not even got to New Mexico as I headed to Santa Monica the official end.

There appeared only one course of action turn left and go to I-40 it goes to California. I almost got the whole three blocks actually arriving on Frontage Road when , you guessed it, Historical Route 66 signs again appeared and pointed West. So why did 66 end in that town? Well apparently I was on one of the original routes that was replaced later.

Well I arrived at the official Mid Point to take the halfway photos, ever mindful that while the first half had taken 11 days the second half is much quicker and contains less diversions.

I again was happy and Tom Tom again showed the direction as West on Historic Route 66, that was until the road became dirt after briefly being a four lane unkept stretch. My mind was thinking, if only Greg & Kerrie on their Triumph Explorer was here, its made for dirt roads, but then no the real reason they came to mind was Greg does not ride dirt so he would have already being busy with his Tom Tom and a new route would be forthcoming real quick.

I was on the Northern Frontage road to I-40 so an alternative I deduced was South Frontage Road so a simple back track to the previous overhead bridge solved the issue so again I was West bound on Historic Route 66 and exit 335 was a most welcome site after a very long day in the saddle and so I arrived at Tucumari New Mexico and a new sticker for Indian and a two day lay over at Desert Inn for me.