Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths ~ Route 66 Panhandle, Texas

​Texas definitely is the land of intriguing Route 66 roadside oddities!  The Mother Road only rolls through the panhandle of this state, but because the Texas is so big, this section of the state looks deceptively small on a map.  Touring the Texas panhandle section of Route 66 will take all day, especially if a traveler stops to check out every strange roadside oddity along the way.  From one end to the other on this stretch of Route 66, there are abandoned ghost towns, weird museums, odd tourist trap gift shops, one of a kind old west steakhouses, towering fiberglass muffler man statues and some of the most intriguing modern outdoor art exhibits on earth.  In a way this weirdness is a blessing because without good old Route 66, a drive through the flat featureless prairies of the Texas panhandle would absolutely bore travelers to death! 

Ever since Route 66 was bypassed by a modern Interstate Highway, most of the businesses and local lifestyles along this historic road have disappeared into the past. Fortunately because the Route 66 culture was once a strong trend, the heartbeat of the Mother Road never died. This old road has survived the Great Depression, several wars, multiple economic recessions and gas  price hikes through the years. For this reason it is safe to assume that the Route 66 culture can endure all obstacles, no matter how grim things may be. All the while, the nostalgic entertainment that Route 66 provides still puts a smile on the face of all that tour this old road. 

Route 66 sure has created plenty of good nostalgic experiences through the years and the fond memories from a Mother Road journey can provide comfort during troubled times. The comforting nostalgia is what attracts veterans, foreigners and anybody that has led a stress filled life. The Route 66 arena is so far removed from the modern world, that it provides a great escape. Just the thought of hanging out at an old gas station, listening to some 1960s doo wop and munching on a burger while sipping on a belly buster shake at a drive-in movie is enough to wipe the slate clean! Route 66 certainly is a great escape from the problems of the modern world and this is why the nostalgic Route 66 culture is still going strong!

A large portion of the Texas Route 66 touring experience features a wide range of unique roadside oddities, which include a few strange outdoor art exhibits. There are a few weird outdoor art exhibits near Amarillo that have risen from the ashes of the golden age of Route 66 automobile touring, which simply must be checked out when passing through. The Slug Bug Ranch and the Cadillac Ranch have become world famous during the last two decades, but there is one other roadside outdoor art attraction that is even a bit more obscure. Just east of Amarillo in Panhandle, Texas is where an old original stretch of Route 66 can be found and this is the home of the Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths!

The Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths is a true interpretive site that conveys a common message to all who pass through the gates. Not much information can be found when researching this roadside attraction on the internet, but that is how it should be, as far as obscure works of art are concerned. The name of the artist is Richard Daniel Baker and the theme of his artwork will be self explanatory after setting eyes on this place. Interfaith themes of peace and tranquility rising over war torn destruction emanate from this art exhibit that is spread over several acres in a vast prairie field.

The steel signage at the Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths melds biblical scriptures, famous quotes and cannabis culture symbols into a message of everlasting peace. Light and shadow come into play, because the silhouettes of the signage allow sunlight to beam through the cut-out lettering onto the grassy ground. This free form artwork exhibit is interactive as well, because this is another Route 66 Texas site where visitors can use spray paint to add some colors of their own choice. 

For most visitors, walking through the Peace Garden is a meditational experience. This work of art is so far removed from mainstream thought processes, that it easily provides an escape from the troubles of the world. There is no better message to convey than one of peace on earth and this is what the Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths is all about. For this reason, the Peace Garden certainly is a must to experience when touring good old nostalgic Route 66 in Texas!