A Room with a View

I have spent the 4th of July in many places over my 29 years, but I just do not think any will ever compare to the collective years when I spent my 4th's on Main Street in Panhandle. I cannot recall ever having a bad time at any 4th of July, but the ones spent in Panhandle are certainly closest to my heart.

For those of you who have never been to the 4th of July festivities in Panhandle, you really should plan a trip for next year. I try to be there at least every other year. If you are planning to come next year and are not able to drive, you can fly into Amarillo International airport and I will pick you up. Two start accommodations can be found at the Double N Motel, nestled between the Dairy Queen and the always open, but ever name changing mexican restaurant. No need for a wake up call, as you will be gently greeted in the morning by a few rays of sunshine and a 50 mph hour locomotive which runs behind the hotel. It is delightful. The Texan Motel, a Panhandle legacy, is the other option. It is located just off Main Street. This is an older establishment, but just as charming. A few of the rooms have bathrooms, but the rest share a community restroom. If you feel like stepping back into your college dorm days then this is definitely the place for you.

The 4th of July celebration day is always a great time in Panhandle. The day starts with a parade down Main Street. To tell you the truth, I have not seen the parade in years. We have a 1973 Volkswagon Bug that we always drive in the parade, so anytime I am home I am in the parade. Pretty much anyone can be in the parade. If you have a farm implement, you can be in the parade. If you have a classic car or just one you think is "classic", you can be in the parade. If you decorate a golf cart with streamers and other red white and blue paraphernalia, you can be in the parade and possibly win a prize. And if you drive a comically small car and wear a fez atop your head, you too can be in the parade.

The parade ends at the court house where a multitude of foods are ready to wreak havoc on your cholesterol. Funnel cakes, turkey legs, corn dogs, and almost anything else you can fry. Mostly fair food, but all the good kinds. Not even Templeton the rat could resist this veritable smorgasbord.

Then the show begins. The variety of acts at the courthouse is what makes the all day affair so enticing. Who can resist a little Miss and Mister contest? Well, it is shockingly easy for someone without kids. At some point the ill prepared, but well meaning, junior high and high school cheerleaders will perform, which always gets the crowd going. Several other acts come and go each year, but only one performance that occurs at 3:00 p.m. really packs the courthouse lawn. This particular group is made fun of and quietly heckled until their flurry of feet hit the stage. The Amarillo Cloggers are always the biggest attraction to be seen at the Panhandle 4th of July celebration. As much as well all make fun of them leading up to their performance, we all seem to gather on the lawn just in time to see them perform.

Not all of the action takes place on the courthouse lawn. This brings me to the title of this blog. My dad Leslie's cousin Hal has an office on Main Street, just a few blocks south of the courthouse. One day a year this becomes The Viewing Room. My parents, Hal, his wife and lots of their friends gather and watch the parade from the lawn chairs they tote inside. This allows them to enjoy the parade with air conditioning.......and adult beverages that might be frowned upon while kids are gathering candy on Main Street. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's flow while they watch from what can only be described as a two way mirror. The front of Hal's office is floor to ceiling glass that is mirrored on the street side. People constantly stop and check themselves in the "mirror," even more so on a busy day like the 4th. I made it back down to the viewing room just after the parade ended last year. Lots of people are still out on the street making their way down to the courthouse. No one seems to realize that someone might be on the other side of the glass. We saw people check their hair, pop a zit, have an argument with each other and even pick their nose. It is amazing what people will do when they think no one is looking. When the nose picker stopped by we all stopped talking and stared. She checked herself in the mirror first, lifting her head a little and flaring her nostrils. Nothing seemed to be there on our side. She checked to her left and then her right. Then she raised her finger and started mining. We collectively said "Ohhhhh" and roared with laughter. Apparently the mirror was not sound proof as she quickly realized someone might be on the other side of the glass. She put her hand back in her pocket, tucked her tail between her legs and quickly walked away leaving us with fading laughter and a great 4th of July story.

It turns out that Hal may move his office to his home, so this year may have been the last 4th of July viewing. Hopefully this is mere conjecture and not the ugly truth. I know each of you reading hopes we can meet next year on Main Street in Panhandle. Bring your chairs and your favorite cocktails and we will enjoy the air conditioning and good company from a room with a view.