2024 Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip!!! - March 11-14

[galexander]

Welcome Everyone to the 2024 Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip!

We are going on a 4 day road trip across Texas on US Route 67, Texarkana to Presidio!
We will leave Texarkana on Monday, March 11 at 9am from Olive Street Vintiques.
Our first night will be in Glen Rose, Texas.
Day 2 will see us head to Brownwood, Texas where we will camp at Fabis Park on Tue Mar 12.
Day 3 we will make tracks to Fort Stockton and Day 4 we will end our trip in Presidio, Texas on March 14.
Of course there will be lotsa of daily adventures as we cruise US Route 67, seeing the sights and enjoying our Volkswagens!
All are welcome to join at the start or anytime along the route.

Hope y'all can make it!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Hello Samba-ites!

The Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip is getting closer and closer!
We hope you can join in on the fun for the whole road trip or just meet up for a day or two. It is up to you!

We have a host hotel for Sunday, March 10, in Texarkana, Texas at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. We have special room rates!

Monday, March 11 we will leave at 9am from Olive Street Vintiques in Downtown Texarkana, with our first planned stop for lunch in Sulphur Springs.

This is open to all VW's, so join in as we ride the old US Route 67, from Texarkana to Presidio!

We now have shirts and hoodies available over on www.allmetricgarage.com

Do join us for this epic VW Road Trip!!!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[veedubcrazy]

Well, I'm in!
_________________
1967 Deluxe Sedan

[galexander]

The city of Presidio is preparing a big celebration for the FINISH of the UR Route 67 VW Road Trip!
Food, bands and a banner!
Come join us for this epic VW Road Trip across Texas!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Hello US Route 67 VW Road Trippers!!

We are one month away from our fun and epic adventure as we traverse Highway 67, from Texarkana to Presidio.

Here are the details as of right now:

Sunday March 10
We have a host hotel, Country Inn & Suites, Texarkana:
For Special Rates: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/p...ode=BULKSQ

Monday March 11
START: 9am Depart Olive Street Vintiques
105 Olive St, Texarkana, AR 71854

LUNCH: Downtown Sulphur Springs

CAMP: Cedar Ridge RV Park
4475 US-67, Glen Rose, TX 76043
$10 per spot

Tuesday, March 12
Depart 8am

SUPPER: 6pm Underwoods Cafeteria
402 W Commerce St, Brownwood, TX 76801

CAMP: Fabis Park
2 miles out on Farm Market 2125

Wednesday, March 13
Depart: 8am

6pm Fort Stockton Downtown Street Festival

CAMP: Rooney Park
S Spring Dr, Fort Stockton, TX 79735
Free

Thursday, March 14
Depart: 8am

FINISH LINE PARTY!!
Historic American Legion Building, 905 O Reilly St, Presidio, TX 79845

CAMP: Arenosa Group Campground, Big Bend Ranch State Park

We have tons of fun side trips, things to see and things to do each day!!!
Come join the fun!!!
[/u]
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[bugnator]

This is so cool! I'm joining on the last leg. Quick question on camping at Big Bend State Park, how in love are you with this site? Full disclosure, I'm not camping so it won't affect me at all but that is pretty barren, just FYI.

[galexander]

Looking forward to meeting you!!

The campground we have is at the Arenosa Group Campground, right off HWY 170. It actually has a restroom and a little pavilion area!

Be Safe headed to Fort Stockton!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[bugnator]

Cool, as long as you know what you're getting into. There is an option closer to town with a tiny bit more. $10 a night for camping.

https://www.lomapalomatx.com/

[galexander]

Awesome, thank you for the heads up. We may stay there because it's cheap and closer in to town.
Thank you again!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Hello Route67 Road Trippers!!

Just got off the phone with Pace Glass company in Texarkana, Texas.
What makes Pate Glass of interest?
Well, it just so happens to be located in what was once the Moses Volkswagen Dealership building.
We will stop by and visit this relic from our VW's past and a special appearance by the owner of the building will be there to greet us, Mr. Moses himself!

How cool is this!
All are welcome to join us on the US Route 67 VW Road Trip, March 11-14!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[vw66bus]

Looks like i better get my shift together.
I need to put the tranny back together and install it and put some good test miles on it.

Peace
Marc

[galexander]

Hello VW Road Trippers!

For those of you who might be a bit reluctant because of all the camping, we now have hotel options!

Best to sign up for Best Western Rewards Program, save some $$$.

Sunday March 10
Country Inn & Suites-Texarkana, TX
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/PX26W2

Monday March 11-Glen Rose, TX
Best Western Dinosaur Valley call Carla 254-897-4818
Use Route 67 VW Road Trip for discount rate

Tuesday, March 12
Best Western Riata-Brownwood, TX
325-203-5400 ask for Dominik

Wednesday March 13
Best Western Plus-Fort Stockton, TX
Best Western Plus 432-336-7000

Thursday, March 14
Three Palms Inn Presidio, TX
432-229-3211 ask for Norma

Get on these soon as you can as this is during Spring Break, and they said they will hold rooms for us through March 4.
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Hello Route 67 Road Trippers!!

WOW!! The City of Sulphur Springs is welcoming us with open arms, on Monday March 11! They are setting aside park area for us downtown and we are gonna get SWAG Bags!!
Come join in on the fun, Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

TWO WEEKS to go!!!
In 14 days from now, we will be on the road, US Route 67 to be exact! Hope everyone can join us for this EPIC VW road trip as we make our way across Texas on old highway 67!
Details on our Facebook page and Instagram too.

See y'all soon!!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Looks like the Route 67 Road Trip is gonna get started a day early!!
Orr Volkswagen in Texarkana (4545 N State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75503) will be hosting a Pre-Road Trip Gathering on Sunday, March 10 from 5pm -8pm.
Looks like a few area food trucks will be there too!
See y'all soon!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Hello Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trippers!!!

We are one week and one day away!
This road trip is going to be something else.
Leaving Texarkana next Monday, March 11 and ending up in Presidio, Texas on Thursday!
What lies between those two far away places.
Everything!
See y'all in a week!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[bugnator]

I wish I had heard about this earlier so I could have joined closer to the starting point but I'm excited to join for the last leg. If you have never been to the Big Bend part of the state you're in for a treat! Be sure to clear room in your phones for some great pictures!

[galexander]

2024 Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip
Official Itinerary!!!
March 11-14, 2024

Sun Mar 10
Texarkana Host Hotel 1918 University Ave, Texarkana, TX 75501 Country Inn & Suites 903-280-7433 Janae-Special Room Rates

Texarkana 5pm-8pm Night Before the Road Trip Gathering 4545 N State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75503 VW of Texarkana Shayna ORR VW 903-792-4186


Mon Mar 11 254 miles
Texarkana DEPART-9am 105 Olive St Olive Street Vintiques Gary's sisters antique shop

Texarkana 4700 Texas Ave Old Moses VW Dealership(Pace Glass) Mr Moses will be there!

Redwater 12368 W 7th Crowson Bait Camp Gary's grandfather's old bait shop/croquet yard/bamboo grove

Naples-Pitstop 905 West Front Street Red Road Vineyard & Winery 903-219-7581 Deborah invited us for snacks/drinks

Mt Pleasant-Drive by 1309 W 16th Street The Market Anna Marie asked us to drive thru their lot and wave!

Sulphur Springs LUNCH-TXT CAR COUNT on SUNDAY! to Joey Downtown Plaza See thru restroom, minister of silly walks, courthouse Joey 903-439-5582 Sarah Dicus helps with downtown, she will be our host!

Sulphur Springs interview downtown Downtown interview with Enola Enola Gay Matthews Sulphur Springs New Telegram

Sulphur Springs 1200 W Houston Street SW Dairy Center-Big Cows

Greenville 5205 I 30 Frontage Big Swordfish & Seahorse

Royse City GAS STOP 5005 I-30 Bucee's

Alvarado GAS STOP 6940 US 67, Alvarado, TX 76009 QT/Visit 2 Time June Bug
Rally Champion!! Txt Tommy Pekins!

Cleburne 101 Chisholm Trail Boothill Museum

Glen Rose 1738 CR312 Petrified Wood Speakeasy ruins
Glen Rose Camping CAMP SPOT 4475 US-67, Glen Rose, TX 76043 Cedar Ridge RV Park-Ryan/Luis $10 per spot

Glen Rose Hotel HOTEL 1311 NE Big Bend Trl, Glen Rose, Texas 76043 Best Western Dinosaur Valley call Carla 254-897-4818 $130 special rate: use Route 67 VW Road Trip


Tue Mar 12 92 miles
Glen Rose Departure 8am

Glen Rose Dinosaur Foot Prints 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX Dinosaur Valley State Park $8 entry Fee Dinosaur footprints, giant concrete brontosaurus!

Stephenville HWY377 Moo-Laa the Cow

Dublin Dublin Bottling Works TOUR!!! 105 E Elm Dublin Bottling Works Kent Krause 254-485-2510

Dublin LUNCH 105 E Elm Dublin Bottling Works picnic tables for us/Granny's-Great food!

Comanche 402 Moorman Road, Comanche, TX 76442 Comanche County Museum-Virginia 325-356-3233

Brownwood 606 E Depot St Big Railroad Spike

Brownwood Supper 6pm 402 W Commerce St, Brownwood, TX 76801 Underwood Cafeteria-Michelle 325-646-1776 Supper at 6pm-Talked to Michele, good to go! 15-20 people

Early Desert 1016 Early Blvd Jerry's Burgers & Shakes Toby has invited us to come by for after dinner dessert-Shakes!!!

Brownwood Camping CAMP SPOT Brownwood, TX 76801 Fabis Park-Lisa Collins 325-646-0146 $20 for spots 7 and 8

Brownwood Hotel HOTEL 504 W Commerce Street, Brownwood, Texas 76801 Best Western Riata 325-203-5400 ask for Dominik


Wed Mar 13 259 miles
Brownwood Departure 8am

Ballinger US 83 Giant Cross

Ballinger 200 Willow Pond Drive, Ballinger, TX 76821 Duck Pond

Miles 100 E US 67 Frankenburrus Cowboy Sculpture

San Angelo S Oakes St Mermaid Statue, Concho River

San Angelo LUNCH 630 S Oakes St, San Angelo, TX 76903 Fort Concho National Historic Landmark-Brenda Lee Brown 325-657-4444 Tour times: 11:30 and 2pm $3 per person

San Angelo 5 miles S of 306/San Angelo Mr Bendo, Muffler Man

McCamey Hwy 67 Mendoza Trail Museum

Girvin Hwy 67 Dinosaur Footprints in a cage

Fort Stockton Dickinson Blvd/North Main Paisano Pete-Giant Roadrunner

Fort Stockton VW's and Pups on the Patio 6-8pm Fort Stockton Convention Center Hodges
Pavillion 6-8pm Fort Stockton VW's and Pups on the Patio-food trucks, bands, DJ, bounce house

Fort Stockton Camping CAMP SPOT S Spring Dr, Fort Stockton, TX 79735 James Rooney Memorial Park Free

Fort Stockton Hotel Hotel 2115 I-10, Fort Stockton, TX 79735 Best Western Plus 432-336-7000 $133.99


Thu Mar 14 153 miles
Fort Stockton Departure 8am

Alpine 700 N Bird St, Alpine, TX 79830 Hancock Hill Desk Hike up and sign the desk

Alpine Visitors Center 106 N 3rd St, Alpine, TX 79830 Photo ops and goodie bags! Heather Yardon 432-837-2326

Alpine SW of Alpine on Hwy 67 Border Patrol 9/11 Memorial

Marfa US-90, Marfa, TX 79843 Marfa Lights

Marfa 108 E San Antonio Street, Marfa 79843 Ballroom Marfa $10

Marfa 135 Golf Course Rd, Marfa, TX 79843 Marfa Invitational, Matt Johnson, the Spaces art

Marfa LUNCH(closes at 2pm) 515 S Highland Ave, Marfa, TX 79843 Marfa Burritos

Shafter Hwy 67, 40 miles South of Marfa Ghost Town

Presidio THE BIG FINISH PARTY!! 905 O'Reilly Street American Legion Hall-Bluebonnet Music Series-Arian/Brenda food trucks, bands

Presidio Camping CAMP SPOT(30miles east of Presidio) FM170, Resdford, TX Arrenosa Group Campground, BBRSP paid, Texas Parks

Presidio Camping CAMP SPOT 17138 FM170, Presidio, TX 79845 Loma Paloma RV Park, Presidio, TX 432-229-2992 $10 a spot

Presidio HOTEL HOTEL 1200 Erma Ave, Presidio, TX 79845 Three Palms Inn 432-229-3211 ask for Norma $89
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

For those not able to join us on the Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip, you can still see some of the action.
I hope to go LIVE on our YouTube channel, VW LIFE.
Also follow along on FB and IG as well.

I have already had inquiries from other towns in Texas about the next US highway road trip!
Stay tuned!
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life

[galexander]

Route 67 VW Road Trip
Final Report

We did it!!!
784 Miles, and that is just the distance from Texarkana to Presidio.
add another 1000 on getting to the start and coming back from the finish!
Here is a day by day account of events and sites we saw during our 6 days on the road.

Sunday, March 10
Pre Day 1
Five of us headed out from Round Rock on Highway 79, making tracks north to Texarkana.
We had a really nice day driving up into the Piney Woods. Fuel stops and banter on the CB as we made our way behind the Pine Curtain! The best part was how we stopped for gas in Marshal and Bay Area Dave and Sammie met us there, so our VW caravan grew!

The plans for the first night was a small gathering for folks who had made it to Texarkana as well as locals to come out and hang out for a bit at Orr Volkswagen in Texarkana. We ended up with around 20 VW's total.
Most of us were full of anticipation/anxiety/excitement about our next 4 days on the road. We met new friends that evening, ones that we would build an amazing bond with as we trekked across Texas. Most folks went back to the host hotel, some slept in their buses in the parking lot, while a few enjoyed a night on a regular bed!

Monday March 11
Day 1
VW's started showing up at our start location, Olive Street Vintiques in downtown Texarkana. It is my sister's antique store located in this amazing restored old grocery supply depot building. She was able to give us a tour of the new speakeasy, The Banana Club, in the basement. It was literally something out of the 1920's!
Our 9am start time dragged a bit, but off we went! Down Stateline Avenue, to our first stop, the building that once housed Moses Volkswagen. And guess who was there to greet us, Mr Moses himself! The building was built in 1962, he still owns it and leases it to Pace Glass. The stories he told us and the look and joy on his face as we filled the parking lot with old VW's was a great way to get the road trip going!

Back up to the stateline and where US Highway 67 begins in Texas, and off we went. Somewhere between 18-22 VWs headed south for adventure. Our first stop was Red Road Winery, what was once an old ice house along the railroad had been convertered to a nice little winery. They gave us all goody bags and some folks even bought a few bottles of vino! Off we went down 67, with our next planned stop in Sulphur Springs.

We did do a small drive thru the parking lot of a re-sale shop, The Market in Mt Pleasant and then what the folks in Sulphur Springs did for us was awesome! They have revitalized their courthouse square and had reserved spots for every VW on the road trip with cones. We all parked and had the chance to use the restrooms in the one way mirror bathrooms, right in the middle of the town square! Needless to say, that was unique and fun. Downtown was hopping as Road Trippers had their choice of many nice places for lunch! One word, WOW, Sulphur Springs should be on everyone’s list of fun places to visit.

Next stop, Buc Ee's in Royse City! And guess what, we picked up 3 more VW’s to join the Road Trip there! And it was also our first of many gatherings to decide our plans, and this none worked great! We literally bypassed Dallas, by heading down to Terrell and getting on I-20. What a relief, and all of that section of US 67 had been absorbed into I-30, so we didn’t miss any of our Route 67 ambiance.

Around Big D we went on I-20, and then, there it was, US67 South! We had made it and were now on 67 for the entire rest of our journey. Fuel stop at the QT in Alvarado, and guess what, more VW’s joined the fun!!

As dusk was approaching, we rolled into Glen Rose and our first night’s camp spot. While some folks peeled off to their motel, an intrepid group turned into Cedar Ridge RV Park, YIKES! We Circled the Wagens best we could to then be told by the proprietor that we were in the wrong spot. So after a cruise around the park, we ended up right where we had started! It wasn’t terrible, it wasn’t a great spot either. But after close to 260 miles for the day, the sound of trucks going up and down US 67 was pretty good white noise for sleeping!

Tuesday March 12
Day 2
As the 8am departure time came around, we all took off to begin our adventures for Day 2, Dinosaur Valley State Park! By this time we were a pretty good sized group, maybe 22-25, rolling in. Unfortunately, heavy rains had made the dinosaur footprints covered in silty brown water, however, no worries, as one of the Park Rangers gave us a wonderful 20 minute lesson on the park and how the tracks got there in the first place. This was awesome. We then all drove into the park, made a mad dash to the “DinoStore'' for souvenirs and of course, stickers! We love stickers of the places we go!

Next we began making tracks, get it, making tracks, to Dublin for lunch and a tour of the Kloster Museum. One of the main folks with the Dublin Bottling Works, Kent, then gave us this amazing story on how the Dublin Bottling Works had started, where it had been and where it is now. Fascinating stories about how corporate America really came down hard on them.

While in Dublin, some of us had a picnic lunch, while others enjoyed the local fare.
And then it was off to the Comanche Visitor’s center for more goody bags! In Comanche we had a super nice visit at the Comanche County Museum. It was really full of all kinds of stuff, including a saloon where I found Bay Area Dave!

Rounding up the road trippers for the short jaunt down to Brownwood and the world’s biggest railroad spike and an awesome group photo! The campers headed out to Fabis Park which was amazing! Situated along the Pecan Bayou, huge pecan trees, flat and lots of grass, and no trucks all night along the highway. After setting up camp, we headed back into town for supper at Underwood’s Cafeteria and it was wonderful. They had a huge big table reserved for us and we ate like kings and then sat around and enjoyed the amazing camaraderie of our friends, old and new. Back out to Fabis Park, where the cool sounds of Jordan strumming on his guitar around the campfire made it a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day 3
Wednesday March 13
A long haul faced us as we all gassed up at the Stripes in Brownwood and headed south on US 67 towards Fort Stockton. The wind Gods were not kind to us today, that’s for sure, but we had a super neat stop in Ballinger at the Famous Ballinger Duck Pond. And, did they ever have some ducks!!
Onward towards San Angelo, when in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, a lime green Baja was sitting on the side of the road, waving and filming us as we drove by. It was TJ! He joined in and led us through San Angelo to our lunch spot at Fort Concho. Some of us made sandwiches, others ordered pizza and yet a few others found a local burrito place!

Gassing up and next stop, Fort Stockton! We rolled into the Convention Center for Pups on the Patio. We were grateful for a chance to sit in the shade, drink a cold water and relax for a bit. A few headed out for Mexican food for supper, while others went to Rooney Park to settle in for our camp spot for the night. It was a nice evening.

Day 4
Thursday March 14
With a twinge of bittersweetness, and yet knowing we were about to complete the Road Trip, we headed out from Fort Stockton. Gassing up this morning was a bit of a challenge, as we had 2 Stripes stations on the same street, but we all figured it out, and had quite a group of VW’s lined up along the feeder of I 10 West just outside of Fort Stockton. And off we went, westbound and down, for about 5 miles until US Route 67, departed I-10 and headed due south for Alpine. Rolling along 67 southbound, we heard the local AM radio station talking us up as we approached Alpine! The Alpine Visitors Center welcomed us with goodies and stickers! Did I mention, VW people love stickers!

After a nice restful stop, we continued on to Marfa as we were now truly in Big Bend Country. The drive is beautiful, and we saw the Marfa Lights, well, we saw where you go at night to see them! We saw the newest art exhibit, giant shipping containers stacked like a child’s blocks, somebody on the CB said we should go climb on them! We arrived at our lunch destination, Marfa Burritos with an unexpected gift of time! We had 3 hours to explore Marfa, and explore we did. While some relaxed and enjoyed the cool Marfa air, others went to the TeePee Bar, the Courthouse, Prada, thrift stores and just hung out around Marfa. It was the best of times.

3:30pm, Central Time, the aaaaaooogggahhh horn of Sludge the Vanagon Westy signaled one last time, that this merry troop of VW’s were ready to move out and roll on to the next and this time, final stop, Presidio!

After climbing up to over a mile high on US Route 67, just north of Shafter, the downhill run into Presidio was all we had left to go. We somehow missed our Presidio Police Department escort the first time, so we circled the city once again with a PPD cruiser leading the way and one riding shotgun on the field of VW’s. We rolled up to our final destination, American Legion Post 176. We were greeted with a Texas US Route 67 VW Road Trip banner and open arms! The Post was amazing and so generous to one and all. They even opened up their concrete parking lot to us to camp in!

And just like that, we began to head back to where we came. I wished we would have put trackers on all the VW’s as we left the border town of Presidio, for points all over Texas and the USA.

Not many times does something live up to the hype, the anticipation, the excitement, well, this did, beyond all words.

I want to thank EVERYONE who drove, rode, joined in on this epic VW Road Trip. And thank you to our hosts in each and every city we visited along the way.

Until next time,
Keep on LIVIN that VW Life,
Gary
_________________
enjoy the journey,
Gary
Check out our YouTube Channel, VW Life