I had some conversation with a fellow collector a few days ago. We got in to talking about strange experiences while traveling. I have had a bunch but this is one of the strangest. It was just recently I found an ashtray from the place in the story and it will be posted at the bottom of this recollection.

I believe the year was 1979 or maybe 1980. My wife and I had decided to hit the road for a three week road trip. Just head the direction the car was pointed when we gassed up to leave town. No plans, no schedule, just go. As it happened we were headed south from Huron, South Dakota.

First day ended up in KC, second Tulsa. Morning broke in Tulsa with a torrential downpour. We had considered just spending the day in bed and catching up on sleep but decided to do that at the next place we stayed. We headed west and it finally quit raining in western Oklahoma. Stopped to get gas at Elk City, Oklahoma. I followed the attendant in to the station to pay him and he asked, "Where are you headed." I said,"We were going to get to Amarillo and call it a day." He says, "I don't think so, the Interstate will be closed just west of Shamrock cause of all the blowing sh*t and dust and you sure as hell don't want to end up staying there." So, of course, I have to ask what is wrong with Shamrock? He says, "Just trust me, I live around here, it's Saturday night and you don't want to stay in Shamrock."

I go back out to the car and tell my wife that we shouldn't go any further according to the attendant. It is only around 2 in the afternoon. Her reasoning is that if the Interstate is shut down at Shamrock we could try to drive old Route 66 and see where it ends up at, hopefully Amarillo.

There is always a point in these endeavors where one makes a horrid mistake in judgement. This was it. We head west towards Amarillo. Shortly after crossing into Texas the wind was blowing so hard and the tumbleweeds and sand and dirt were blowing so seriously we could hardly see ahead of us. We finally saw a sign that said, "Shamrock Next Exit." Oh, goody this it.

We went up the exit ramp and saw a dimly flashing light at a cafe/truck stop type thing. We were both hungry and decided to go in and get something to eat and then ask what it looked like for getting to Amarillo.

When we got inside there was a grizzled old waitress and an old cowboy nuzzlin' up at the counter. We sat down and she came over and asked if we wanted anything. Yes, we did, nothing much just a snack to carry us over until we got to Amarillo for supper. She said, to "cancel both plans, cuz you ain't going to Amarillo tonight. You better eat a bunch. Problem being, I don't cook much and our cook didn't show up."

Then she asked why we left Elk City. She mentions that we should have noticed 100's of trucks parked...We did but we thought we could get thru. Then she tells us that she thinks Interstate is shut East of Shamrock or will be soon. She tells us that we are probably stuck in Shamrock. So we ask where is a good place to stay. She says, "You gotta realize that when they built the Interstate they went way out around Shamrock, like they avoided it like the plague. Old Route 66 just died. So, just don't stay at anyone of those places that doesn't have a sign lit." She actually came up with some really good food for us. Her old cowboy sat down with us and was telling jokes and we had alot of fun listening to him.

Just before we left we asked if Shamrock had a liquor store. She said, "No, but after you get to where you are staying call me and I will tell you where to get something."

Great...this is sounding weirder by the minute. We head into town and drive around a bit. Find Main Street, everything is shut down...Saw no humans anywhere. Raining, blowing, just one ugly night...was that Toto we just saw fly by? We stopped at a sort of a convenience store that had no lights on, but we could see people inside. I asked them where to stay...They said, "Try the Rambler Motel, it is about the most normal one in town." Oh, good, now we are sorting out motels by "Normal." We go on down old 66 and see a flashing cheap neon sign advertising the "Rambler Motel."

By now the wind has went down to about 50 MPH but the torrential downpour continues. I get out and go into the office of the "Rambler." Inside there is a sign telling me that rooms are available...Pick a key and fill out a registration form and go to your room. So, I do that. We get in the room and are quite shocked at the accomadations. We have a queen size bed that is nice but all the furniture is 1950's plastic or Naugehyde(sp)and above the bed painted on the wall is a a group of objects that resembel a huge p*nis with stuff dripping out the end of it...some kind of Shamrock "opart."

My wife still wants a bottle of wine and to look at a little TV. We look at TV and it is an ancient Airline Black and White. Never could get anything to come in on it.Had tin foil wrapped all around the rabbit ears but to no avail.

She finally says, "Well call that lady and find out how to get some alcohol." So, I call out to the truck stop. Get ahold of her. She says, "About 2 blocks east of the Rambler there is an old gas station. It is shut down now but go around in back and go down the stairs and he will take care of you. I will call and tell him you are coming." Oh, goody, just what I want to do is go down in the basement of an old closed filling station in this place. So, we sit and think about this and she decides that I am a candy ass if I don't do this.

Ok, dear, pull the knife out of my back or whatever if I make it back up out of that hole.

By now it is dark, it is still pouring rain, the wind has came back and it is just one nasty night in one of Texas's great sh*thole towns. We drive down old east Route 66. Everything dark and falling down. We see the old filling station and pull around in back. She was right there was a dim light above this stairway leading under the place. I tell my wife I am not sure about this and she tells me to have a "little hair on my monkey."

What the hell, I am young and foolish. I get out and head for the basement. I get down there and the light is flickering and then it goes out. Oh, great!! I knock on the door and this old cowboy guy comes to the door. He wants to know if we are the couple staying at the "Rambler." I tell him we are. He asks what I might be interested in buying. I tell him my wife wanted a bottle of wine and I kind of wanted some whiskey. He asks what kind of whiskey I drink...I said "Jack" would be fine. So he sets up a couple big glasses and pours them full and we set and visit for about a half an hour. Anyway, I tell him my wife is in the car and I have to go. I am scared...He tells me to go into the next room and get what I want. I find her a nice bottle of wine and me a bottle of Jack and bring them out to pay. I was just shocked, the prices were reasonable. I pay him and start to head for the door. He says, "Just one more thing, come back here." A cold chill came over me...Yep, this is it, I am never leaving this basement." I turn around and he said, "Your checkbook fell out of your pocket." Whew!!He hands it to me and tells me to stop in the next time we are in Shamrock. I hesitated to tell him that I did not think there would be a next time.

We went back to the room and had our drinks that I could not enjoy. I finally fell asleep listening to the incessant wind and rain and the neon sign blinking on and off outside the window.

About 4 AM I heard something and couldn't figure out what it was. Our room door was suddenly opened and then slammed shut. I got up and there on the floor was our invoice and payment instructions for our room. The payment instructions said, "Go to office and follow instructions."

I woke my wife up and said I have had all I can take. Let's pay and go. So we both took a shower and headed out. Got to the office and still noone there. The instructions were, "Put money in steel box or fill out credit card slip and put in steel box. Do not try to leave without paying you have been on video tape since you arrived. Thanks, the management of the Rambler Motel."

Just one of those great experiences "On the Road."

MORAL OF THE STORY:

DON'T EVER STOP IN SHAMROCK!!"