November 27, 2025 (Thu.) - Grateful Journeys: A Texas Thanksgiving.
Today was Thanksgiving Day, and while we’re grateful to be on this journey, we couldn’t help but miss our families. Back home, we usually host with a deep‑fried turkey—a tradition that was always a hit and one we definitely missed this year. Thankfully, Lynn’s sister stepped in to host the extended family at her house, keeping the celebration alive.
It was also a travel day. Hoping for light holiday traffic, we were up early for prep—Lynn at 6:00 a.m., Kirk at 8:00—and on the road by 9:45. The drive was a straight shot down I‑40, 242 miles (about 3½ hours) from Oklahoma to Texas, with an ETA of 1:30 p.m. The trip was uneventful, save for one pit stop in Shamrock just across the Texas border. Although this was an official ‘Rest Area’ there were no bathrooms!! With so few rest areas along the route, we ended up parking and opening the RV to use the bathroom. The scenery was mostly wide‑open fields, not much to look at, though Lynn managed to capture a few quirky roadside moments: an Oklahoma State Trooper who of course, had pulled over a driver with California plates, decorative bridge overpasses, colorful murals and artwork, oddball signs, and even a pair of tandem bicyclists pedaling along the interstate!
By 1:40 PM we pulled into The Big Texan RV Ranch in Amarillo thankful for the lack of traffic. To reach the campground, you drive past the iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch (BTSR). We assumed (and hoped!) Thanksgiving would be a quiet day, but the place was buzzing—turns out their holiday buffet is a big draw.
After settling in, we made our way to the restaurant for an early dinner. At 3:45 PM, we figured the crowds might thin out at such an odd hour, but the wait was already two hours! Normally we’d pass, but it was Thanksgiving, so we put our name down and wandered through the gift shop and grounds to kill time. Naturally, we picked up a few souvenirs, including a new cowboy hat for Kirk! We also had to see the giant live rattlesnake inside the gift shop. Kirk had been here before, but it was Lynn’s first visit, and the sheer number of people made moving around a challenge. Every seat was taken—even outside in the cold.
About 45 minutes later, we spotted an open table in the bar, which offered first-come seating. With the buffet ending at 4:00 anyway, we skipped the waitlist, sat in the bar, ordered off the menu, and enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal without the extra hour-long delay.
Kirk’s prime rib was outstanding, while Lynn’s chicken-fried steak was so good it landed in her top five favorites. Having feasted on hefty steaks at Cattlemen’s in Stockyards City, OK, the night before, we ended up celebrating Thanksgiving with yet another round of beef—no turkey for us this year!
We were back at the RV by 6:00 PM, winding down the evening with pumpkin pie we’d picked up from Cattlemen’s (or as the box says “pumkin”…LOL!). It was the perfect sweet finish to the day. Lynn also received calls and messages from her sons, which truly made her day, and Kirk was able to connect with his family. All in all, a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, good food, and family connections—even from afar.
Weather – High 55*, Low 32*. Wind 1-10 mph. No rain. No humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – The Big Texan Steakhouse.
Notable – The Big Texan Steakhouse, calls from family.
