‘Cat’ Tracks: US 287…Road Trip …Rest Stops

Jim and I regularly make the trip from Amarillo to Childress to Flower Mound/Dallas. Neither of us has ever been opposed to making stops along the way unlike some others who might prefer to get in the car and drive stop-free to the end destination. In fact, age and caffeine have made stopping imperative at times. We have made a game of learning about the towns and cities along the way and we want to share our adventures with you so that you too can enjoy the trip a much as we do.

When embarking on any trip we arm ourselves with maps, and while a map is really not needed for our trip it is helpful when we decide to wander from the well traveled road for parts unknown. I have maps of most of the places we visit and thankfully, because Jim has no sense of direction when it comes to strange places, he doesn’t mind my consulting the maps or even stopping for directions. One of the few problems that we have in travel is that while I have a great sense of finding my way around when I am driving, I am prone to give directions very poorly, often saying right when I mean left and vice versa. Additionally, I have no idea where north, south, east, and west are except when I remember to look for the sun so when we are in strange places I often drive because I know where I am going even when I can’t articulate my plans to another driver. Luckily once I have explored a destination, it is placed in my mind map for future reference. Makes sense to us and we have learned to monitor and adjust. A GPS is most likely in our future.

Anyway, back to our trip that occurs almost entirely on U.S. Highway 287 which stretches north to south from Montana near the Canadian border to Port Arthur, Texas. Because we live in Amarillo, that is our starting point. I won’t bore you with Amarillo details, but should you ever decide to vacation here, I am more than happy to provide pertinent information. Generally, depending on the time of day that we leave home, our first stop is the Water Still about a mile from our house so I can purchase a large container of iced tea for the trip. (caffeine in the morning and decaff in the afternoon) and then we are off to I-40 with Jim driving. Did I think to mention that I can’t stay awake to drive until I have had a nap and caffeine?

One bit of information that I might share before we leave is that Amarillo is a part of Historic Route 66 as well as on the I-40 corridor. I-40 is heavily populated with hotels, motels, restaurants and other businesses. Historic Route 66 is also home to many of the same type of businesses, but I would recommend that only the brave at heart or the very uninformed would be found seeking shelter in that area.

As our trip unfolds we are soon at the edge of Amarillo where I-40 curves to Oklahoma City and we travel on to 287 to Ft. Worth. Thirty miles down the highway, we come to Claude, a small but friendly town. Our stops there have been brief, but there are several antique stores on 287 that when they are open are of interest to those inclined to sifting through the junk and old stuff to find a treasure. On the corner on the north side of 287 or is that the east side is a small drugstore that bears investigating from time to time. The town square and courthouse could lend themselves to photo ops to share with friends and family. The ever present Dairy Queen is available most times for coffee, drinks, food, and restroom breaks.

Travel continues for another 30 miles to Clarendon. On the hill entering town stands Clarendon College. Happily Clarendon is now the home of a Sonic for those of us who at this point need a Cranberry Slush, but most of the time the Outpost Pharmacy/service station/coffee shop/restrooms is a very popular local gathering place. Jim often finds that a good cup of coffee is in order at this point not to mention a restroom break from the previous early morning cups of coffee. Other points of interest could be Main Street for more antique shops and possible small cafes and restaurants.

One of the very best things about traveling 287 in Texas is that between Amarillo and Wichita Falls there are 2 new Texas Safety Rest Stops which are truly the best thing going and I am proud to see my tax dollars being spent wisely. (I really mean this.) There are 98 of these strategically placed on Texas highways. I highly encourage travelers to take advantage of these areas. The rationale for the stops is to provide places for people to stop in for rest and relaxation before continuing driving. Each is provided with clean and I do mean clean restrooms, computers for locating information and maps, Wi-Fi connections, snack machines, local history displays and attendants for assistance and maintenance. Additionally, tornado shelters are provided. Children’s playground areas and dog walking areas are available. The first on our journey is between Hedley and Memphis. The second is located between Quanah and Chillicothe. You will find one on each side of the highway for quick entry and exit. On my list of must see places to visit are the 96 other rest stops.

Memphis is thirty miles on down the road from Clarendon. Here you will find the usual photo op town square. I would have recommended a trip through a shop called Faux Pauts, but it is possible it has gone out of business. I would also have recommended a stop at the Back Porch Sandwich shop on 287, but alas, it too is no longer there. Gloria’s Mexican Food on the town square does provide an interesting dining experience for those so inclined to be adventurous.

One word of warning is in order. As you travel 287 on the outlined journey, it is wise to be vigilant of shall I say, “speed traps” for lack of a better phrase. In particular, Memphis, Estelline, Chillicothe, and yes, even Childress are places to obey the sudden drop in the speed limit as you pass through. Claude, and well, every tiny town between here and there can be hazardous to your pocket book.

At last we come to the first major stop on our trip. Entering Childress, it is possible to feel a hint of prosperity and growth. To the right or left of 287 you can catch a glimpse of the Roach Unit prison and while it is my understanding that it is not available for tours, a car trip out to the unit can be another photo op. The new digs for the Highway Department are very nice, also. It is hard to miss the new super store Wal-Mart which is another boon for the community. For those who love to peruse the aisles of a good Wal-Mart, I would recommend that you make this a stop on your trip if you have time. From experience, I know that many hours can be spent at this activity.

It is not uncommon for us to arrive in Childress in time for lunch. Thankfully, there are several options for dining unless you come on a Sunday or Monday and then the selection sharply drops. K-Bobs remains a favorite for locals and tourists. It has a fine reputation for its great salad bar, steaks, burgers, and good conversation with Marilyn Havens who greets us with a smile each time we go there. Down the street you will find the Wired Rabbit which has great Italian food, JT’s (Johnny Longbine) for the best hamburgers, the Childress Bakery for pastries, coffee, drinks, and sandwiches. If you go early in the morning or middle of the afternoon you can enjoy good conversation with the local coffee drinkers. For Mexican food you have the El Sombrero Restaurant. There are, of course, several other options available for both ethnic and American cuisine.

Sometimes, Childress is our end destination as our “vacation” home is located there. This gives us the opportunity to enjoy the many antique shops including Jitters, Wild Plum, and Amazing Grace, as well as Serendipity and the new Ballyhoo. Jim is delighted that Childress is also putting the finishing touches on a new 18 hole golf course, Stony Ridge, located on 287 east of town. Some of you might be surprised or happy to learn that Childress is no longer “dry” and liquor stores have begun to appear in town.

But for now, we continue on our journey down 287. Quanah is next in line. Upon entering the city limits, we see a smaller version of Dutch’s restaurant which is on our list of one of the places we might visit one of these days. Truthfully, we have not spent much time here on our journey since it so close to Childress, but we have visited the town square and a great antique store on the east edge of town. One cautionary suggestion is to never plan an antiquing trip to any small town on a Monday as a great many of them are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

One of the joys of traveling by car and taking time is that we can be open to exploring for the new and unexpected. For years we have passed through Chillicothe without taking the time to stop except at the Dairy Queen or when stopped by the town police officer. However, it is impossible not to notice that in a short stretch of 287 is lined with signs proclaiming “dang good candy” “pecans” and “Texas Valley Pecans.” One day out of curiosity we stopped at the small business. Big Mistake!! Much to our, well to my delight, we had discovered a wonderful shop filled with amazing gifts, books, ornaments and other home accessories that quite simply begged to be taken home to our house. Now our car never passes by without turning in. Thankfully, Jim is happy to visit their coffee bar and the pecans are fabulous! Since I have spread the word about this place, many of my friends and family have become addicted to making regular stops here, too.

After the excitement of Chillicothe, we usually fly through Vernon so it remains unexplored by the Wilcoxsons, but maybe someday… Happily, Vernon is one of the few towns that are red light free on 287.

Wichita Falls is next, and what can I say? Well, the new highway system allows you to literally fly over the city, so unless you plan to make a stop there, the traveler can miss a lot. If at this point you need a really good place to eat, you will find it in WF. All of the familiar restaurants are located either along 287 or tucked back in the city. The problem is that you have to know where you are going and be willing to detour off of 287 which we have done on many occasions—Cheddars, Olive Garden, McAlister’s Deli, Chili’s and I am sure you get the picture, but Dallas calls so we don’t tarry there for very long. One interesting observation worth mentioning is that between Electra and Wichita Falls, a large herd (if that is the correct term) of camels can be seen on the south side of 287 grazing and resting.

By now, I am usually driving, having had my caffeine fix and my nap. Jim is now asleep so we travel on down 287 side-stepping
Bowie and making only a quick stop in Decatur at the Starbuck’s for a last cup of coffee.

This is where we leave 287 and head for Denton. However, the promise of Ft. Worth on down the way on 287 is tantalizing as Ft. Worth is a favorite city for us to visit, but that has to wait for another time and another trip.

I leave you with a poem that I discovered in a 1963 highway map of the Scenic Highway U.S. 287
VIA 287

By Ray Rostron

If you’re planning a trip or just taking a ride,
287 is the route you should drive,
Convenience you’ll find, all along the way,
That’ll make your stop a most pleasant stay.

From Port Arthur’s shore to the mountains of the west,
Mother Nature’s scenery is at its best
Each city and community a congenial host
So Travel the highway that offers the most.

Whether you trip be for pleasure on a family vacation,
Careful planning will make it a momentous occasion.
You can go to the moon via God’s Blue Heaven,
But let’s travel the earth via 287.