Nostalgia Over Ice Cream: A Sweet Journey Through Northern Texas on Highway 287 | A Cross-Country Odyssey


Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

It seems like my younger years were spent almost entirely looking out a car window. Our family was constantly traveling from California to Texas, then Texas to California, and then New Mexico to Texas and California. If you were able to follow any of that, you probably deduced that my family spent a lot of time traveling from our home to visit relatives in other states. No matter our locale, we were traveling twice a year to visit our relatives in Vernon, Texas. 

Except for the four years we lived in Vernon, we were traveling twice a year to visit our family in California.

Are we lost yet?

Okay, enough of me talking in circles. The story here is that a decade ago, my wife and I took a cross-country trip from North Carolina to California, and we went off course to travel through my old stomping grounds in northern Texas. We spent a day in Vernon, where we were treated to one hellacious thunderstorm (ah, the memories - I honestly wouldn't have wanted anything less) and a memory-filled walk around downtown. 

I loved every minute of it.

Related: Rodeos, Restaurants, and Remembrance: The Evolution of Vernon, Texas | A Cross-Country Odyssey

Our journey up Highway 287 towards Amarillo included locations that I remember fondly from my youth. We hit Chillicothe, Quanah, Childress, Memphis, Clarendon, and then Claude. Upon entering the town of Claude, my wife spotted a Dairy Queen, and that meant it was time for an ice cream break. I have to admit that walking into that Dairy Queen felt like stepping back in time to my days in Vernon in the 1970s. The world outside of northern Texas may have changed as the decades passed, but this place was just what I remembered a Dairy Queen should look. It was so period that I was looking around for the Star Wars collector glasses or a Saturday Night Fever poster or something.

I loved every minute of that.

My lovely lady got her ice cream cone, and now our dog, Zeus, needed to do his business. That provided an opportunity to walk out to the railroad tracks, and I took a couple of photos. As was the case inside the Dairy Queen, the visuals out by the tracks were just as I remembered all of these northern Texas towns. They all had structures near the tracks for storing farm goods and produce, along with old, rusting cars and other items related to either the railroad or farming.

These pictures were taken a decade ago, but I could have taken eerily similar photos of the same area in 1977.

And for that, I will be forever grateful.

Something to think about today:

We often overlook a profound aspect of faith: the importance of connection. Being grounded in relationships with fellow believers enriches our spiritual journey, whether this takes place in small groups at church or through a home Bible study. And above all, it’s about nurturing that vital relationship with God through heartfelt prayer.

- Ken Hulsey

 
Here are my photos.



  Check Out:


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Curiosity Takes the Wheel: Discovering Shreveport's Historic Central Railroad Station

Image
Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey If you have ever driven on Interstate 20 through Shreveport, Louisiana, you may have noticed a building just north of the highway that looks very much like an old railroad station. I have literally driven past it over a dozen times and wondered just that. A week ago, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to go see if what I was seeing was indeed what I thought it was. (Writing can be hard at times, my friends.)
Read More »

Dames, Detectives, and Superheroes: How 'Spider-Noir' Redefines Classic Noir for a New Generation!

Image
Unraveling the Web: Why 'Spider-Noir' is the Ultimate Nostalgic Thrill Ride! Written By Ken Hulsey Terri and I have a new show that we are hooked on, and we stumbled upon it quite by accident. I was actually searching on Amazon Prime for a new documentary series for both of us to watch since we had just finished watching two really good ones by Ken Burns, Louis & Clark, and The American Buffalo, and the advertising for Spider-Noir ( Watch now on Prime Video ) was the first thing that popped up. I was waiting on Terri to finish up in the kitchen, so I watched the trailer for the show and immediately became interested. 
Read More »

Unlock Extraordinary Blessings: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Transform Lives Today! | Ascend with Pastor Steve

Image
The road through historic Camp Claiborne, Louisiana - By Ken Hulsey  Discover how you can step out of your comfort zone and use the talents and passions that God has given you to make a difference in the lives of others. In this inspiring message, we talk about ordinary people doing extraordinary things by simply utilizing their skills to serve others. Whether you're a mechanic, an artist, or a teacher, find out how you can bless God's kingdom and bring comfort and hope to those around you. Watch now and be encouraged to let God love through you!
Read More »

Step Back in Time: Uncover the Hidden Gems of Old Salem in Winston-Salem! | A Cross-Country Odyssey

Image
 Story and Photos By: Ken Hulsey Winston-Salem is a charming small city with excellent dining and a vibrant downtown district. The area is also rich in history, exemplified by the wonderfully preserved colonial-style village and museum of Old Salem. Visitors should be sure to explore the historic dwellings, streets, and sidewalks of this captivating destination, where treasures of the past await around every corner.
Read More »

Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall - Albuquerque, New Mexico - A Trip Down Memory Lane

Image
If you grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico , during the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you likely have fond memories of Toys By Roy. The store was easily recognizable thanks to the large rocking horse logo on its front. In 1961, Roy Ater opened his first Toys By Roy in the brand-new Winrock Center Mall, which was marketed as ‘the largest in the Southwest.’ Ater’s toy store quickly became one of the mall's first and most successful retailers. Over the following years, Toys By Roy expanded into a successful franchise with 34 locations across 9 states.
Read More »

Steaming Back in Time: The Enchantment of the Legendary Red River and Gulf Railroad - Southern Forest Heritage Museum

Image
 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey This past Saturday, I spent the afternoon exploring the grounds of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, Louisiana. The museum is situated on the site of the former Long Leaf Sawmill Complex, which was one of many mill complexes in the region. While the mill itself is fascinating to explore, I chose to focus on the old facilities of the Red River and Gulf Railroad on this gloomy day.
Read More »

Bunkie: A Tale of Decline and Missed Opportunities in Central Louisiana | A View from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Image
Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Like many towns in central Louisiana, Bunkie was once thriving; however, today it is merely a shadow of its former self. Prosperity in Bunkie appears to depend on which side of the Union Pacific Railroad one is on. If you're on the west side, you are still hanging on by a thread; if you are on the east side of the tracks, you find yourself in a literal ghost town. This area is marked by an endless row of failed businesses and abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, the business district is gone and will likely never return.
Read More »