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Today, we’re excited to share a couple stops from our 2021 epic adventure driving the 536 miles from Oklahoma City, OK, to Albuquerque, NM. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Our first stop was in Elk City, Oklahoma, to see the largest Route 66 sign in America. Of course, we had to take some cheesy touristy photos with the iconic sign in the background. But enough about Elk City, let’s talk about our second stop, Shamrock, Texas, and the infamous Blarney Stone.
If you’ve never heard of Shamrock before, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s a small town with a population of around 1,900 people, but it’s known for one thing – the Blarney Stone. Yes, that’s the same stone that’s located at Blarney Castle in Ireland, the one that people kiss to receive the “gift of gab.” But how did a small town in Texas end up with a piece of Irish history?
Well, in the 1930s, the city of Cork, Ireland decided to sell some of the Blarney Castle’s stones to help raise money for local charities. One of these stones was purchased by a Shamrock resident named Frank Hilton, who had Irish roots and wanted to bring a piece of his heritage to his hometown.
Hilton donated the Blarney Stone to the town of Shamrock, and it was placed in front of the courthouse. Over the years, the stone has become a symbol of the town’s Irish heritage and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors from all over the world come to Shamrock to see the stone and take photos with it. But, to be honest, we weren’t interested in kissing it. No way were we going to put our lips on a rock that thousands (or maybe hundreds, who knows?) of other people have already kissed.
It’s incredible how one small town in Texas can have such a strong connection to a place on the other side of the world.
As we continued our journey to Albuquerque, we couldn’t stop talking about our stops in Elk City and Shamrock. They might not be the most well-known tourist destinations, but they’re definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.
All in all, our road trip from Oklahoma City to Albuquerque was a success. We saw some amazing sights, experienced small-town charm, and even had a chuckle at the famous Blarney Stone. What more could you ask for?
So next time you’re planning a road trip, consider taking a detour to some off-the-beaten-path destinations. You never know what hidden gems you might discover. Happy travels!