StoryCorps Facilitator Weblog » Amarillo, Texas

Got our kicks on Rte 66

Mitra — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:28:00 +0000

As we drove along historic Route 66 from Amarillo to Kansas City, we drove past some curious roadside attractions.

And let us present to you…The Leaning Tower of Texas just outside of Groom, Texas.

Further out, we saw a wind farm harnessing the plentiful wind on the high plains.

And last but certainly not least, we saw this cross dotting the horizon as we headed east. At 19 stories tall, it is the largest cross in the Northern Hemisphere. Now stay seated, we know the excitement can be overwhelming.

Donkey baseball

Ryan — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:34:00 +0000

A long time ago, before there were hybrid sports like chess-boxing, and rodeo sports like mutton bustin’, there was donkey baseball. Back in the good old days, kids made there own fun out of what they had. And when all you have is a donkey and a baseball bat, well, the choice seems obvious. What else to do, but ride the donkey around the bases.

Participant Wayne Snider told his daughter, Kathryn, about one of his first dates with her mother, Alma. She had come to watch him play a game of donkey baseball, and he was rounding first base when the donkey bucked him off and kicked him in the face. Despite the black eye and broken nose, Wayne and Alma made it to the aisle- this time without any donkeys present.

The boot’s on the other foot

Ryan — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:49:00 +0000

Lured by the promise of a free 72oz. steak, we visited the world famous Big Texan to see if we could down 6 lbs worth of meat within an hour. Elaine had her go at the Texas sized steak, but couldn’t muster enough appetite to claim victory.

After stuffing our selves silly, we cozied up on a rocking chair built for three. Our bellies were full as we rocked away, unware of the impending showdown ahead.

Full of cowboy spirit, we saddled up and moseyed over to Boot City, which boasts over 8,000 pairs of cowboy boots.

Mitra Bonshahi, the new kid in town, challenged outgoing facilitator Elaine to a good old fashioned duel. Elaine, a dedicated pacifist, turned her down, so Mitra took the reins and gave Elaine the boot out of Amarillo and back home to New York.

School of Rock

Ryan — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:45:00 +0000

	Dean Yates came to the booth with his 10 year old son, Choice. When Choice asked “What’s the strangest, funniest or coolest thing that happened to you as a musician?” Dean talked about the time that his band got to play a gig at the White House during the Ford administration.
Well, lucky for us, Dean’s current band, Insufficient Funds, was playing just down the street from the MobileBooth at the Polk Street Block Party. We had a chance to catch a few of Dean’s songs and bumped into Choice, who was in the front row cheering his dad on. We thought that was pretty cool!

Amarillo by Morning

Ryan — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 03:02:00 +0000

	We headed off to Amarillo, through the Oklahoma Panhandle and into the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Rick Hicks, Executive Director of High Plains Public Radio, drove the trailer across the plains where you could always see at least 5 miles in every direction. As you can see, the station is very appropriately named.
We arrived safely in Amarillo and we’re greeted by members of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, our new home in Texas. Several generous chamber members gave up their parking spots for the booth. We geared up for what was to be a very busy opening day!
	Facilitator Elaine Davenport (pictured center) explains the process to our inaugural participants in Amarillo. Nathan Newbrough (right), Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony, interviewed 94 year-old Eddie Melin (pictured left), former symphony manager and violinist.