The last leg of my homeward bound journey from the Grand Canyon North Rim began in Palo Duro Canyon. I chose not to take the fastest route, which would have been north then east to US 287 at Claude, Texas; but rather to go south on I-27 to Tulia, Texas, then east on US 86, back through Quitaque and Turkey, since I wanted to get a few more photos along that route.
I had driven past this interesting looking abandoned house on my way to Arizona, but had not taken time to stop. I actually passed it up again, then decided to turn back and photograph it.
This appears to have been a substantial home for someone at one time.
I stopped again in Quitaque, Texas to capture a few more images of the old Mobil gasoline station on the main route through this small Texas town.
This original Mobil station is now an antique store. I had planned to look into this store again at a item I was thinking of purchasing as a gift for my wife, but the store was closed for a funeral. I back tracked a short distance, planning on killing some time at an interesting looking coffee shop/restaurant in downtown, but it was also closed. So after waiting around for awhile and no one returning to the store a while after the time shown on the sign in the window, I decided I had to get back on the road.
A few miles down the highway, I stopped to get a few photos in Turkey, Texas. This early Phillips 66 station is, as proclaimed by a plaque nearby, the first in Texas and appears to be well maintained. This image was chosen for Flickr’s Explore page. (Hey, Flickr, I’ve got much better photographs. If only Flickr would respond like Alexa).
Next to the Phillips 66 station is an old tour bus that was used by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Turkey claims to be the birthplace of Bob Wills.
Looks like there might still be air service for automobile tires at this old station, unless that hose is just for show.
I’m guessing that these holes are recent and not indicative of Bob Wills’ fans.
This monument in Turkey, Texas has granite panels with information about Bob Wills on each panel.
This panel depiction of Bob Wills appears to be a good likeness to this early country swing musician.
As Bob would say, Ah Hah, and this wraps up my July photo excursion.
Ken