Palo Duro Canyon and Ready To Go

Amarillo, TX El. 3685'
65 deg. clear, S. wind @ 10 mph.
Forecast today = high temp. 79 deg. becoming cloudy with a 40% chance of rain, winds NE @ 10 to 20 mph.

When we were in Rantoul, IL this summer, Jim and Linda were talking to Paul and Louise, (the couple who manage the RV Park), about our travel plans. Jim mentioned that we might be going through the panhandle of Texas on our way to Portland Or. Well, Louise knew of this mostly unknown park near Amarillo, called Palo Duro Canyon State Park. She said that it was well worth seeing and highly recommended it. So, yesterday, Jim and Linda took CLT and headed for the park.

The park is about 25 miles South of Amarillo, and there are signs showing the way. As they entered the park, the lady at the entrance station gave Jim and Linda a map and a brochure that gave some info about the canyon. It turns out that the Palo Duro Canyon, is the 2nd largest canyon in the United States. (Can you guess which one is 1st?), It is about 120 miles long and is between 600 and 800 feet deep.

The photo below is just one of the many that Jim took, but I thought it best showed the depth of the canyon. This is another one of those places that you have to see for yourself to really appreciate. Photos just don't do it justice. The colors of the rock, the rock formations, and the wildlife can best be seen on the approximately 16 mile drive through a section of the canyon. There are camp grounds down in the canyon, and CLT said that there were some large RVs down there, but be forewarned, the road in and out is very steep, (10 % grade in some places), and there are some pretty sharp curves, but evidently it's very doable.

Folks, if your in the Amarillo area, this park is well worth the time spent to explore it. A lot can be seen from a vehicle, but there are many miles of trails to be explored if you're into hiking. Oh, and be sure to bring your camera.

After they came back from the canyon, Jim took a little nap and then cooked some burgers on the grill for dinner, while Linda put together some salads and cooked some corn-on-the-cob.

I don't know when we will be leaving here this morning. Linda is going to call the bank to see about that problem with the card and also Alternative Resources, (their mail forwarding service) to get their mail sent, and get my and CLT's license plates renewed. If everything goes well, we should get out of here by 10:00 or 11:00. Jim has just about everything outside ready to travel, and Linda has a lot of the inside stuff done, so it won't take long once the phone calls are done.

Did you know that in 1893, Amarillo's population was listed as "between 500 and 600 people and 50,000 head of cattle?"