I’ll be getting my kicks on Route 66 more often now that my daughter has relocated to Denver. On a recent road trip back home from Colorado, as we were approaching Amarillo, the sun was sinking low and I had a sudden inspiration — I need to see Cadillac Ranch at sunset. I hit the gas, and we arrived just as the horizon turned mango, bright Venus and a fingernail moon gleamed in the deepening blue, and a chill settled over acres of flat, brown farmland.

Unlike our last visit on a summer day, we had the place nearly to ourselves. One other couple was there, hurriedly finishing up their spray-painted tags. They asked for a quick photo and departed, and it was just us and the nose-planted Caddies.

Thousands before that couple have added their signatures, tributes, and graffiti art to the rusting car bodies.

I’ve never added to the evolving artwork myself, just taken photos of it. Maybe one day.

It’s such a crazy American tribute to car culture. I love that Cadillac Ranch has lasted so long, since 1974, although the cars were relocated in 1997 to their current location, according to Wikipedia.

These days, they’re almost more paint than metal.

As the horizon went pumpkin orange, my husband turned to snap a photo. I saw the shot I wanted…

…just a car, the man I love, and the beautiful Texas sky, three elements of a good road trip!

I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!

__________________________

Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!

All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.