Palo Duro Canyon SP TX Day 1
Palo Duro Canyon SP TX
Day 01 – Monday, November 22, 2010 – Trip to Texas and Visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park – PART 1
A full moon greeted us as we got up at 3:00 am and packed our Accord to set out for Thanksgiving in Texas. We were out of the house and on I-25 by 4:00. The traffic was light, which was good as there was ice on Monument Hill. It was 31º with a brisk wind.
While Gennie napped, I listened to NPR. We made a brief stop at Raton Pass and then followed US Hwy 87 through the north east corner of New Mexico.
Crossing into Texas at 7:51, we lost an hour as we changed our clocks to Central Time. In Dumas we got gas and had a breakfast sandwich.
We drove through Amarillo and then at Canyon we turned east on Texas State Highway 217 for a side excursion to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
At 11:30 we entered the park for a close up view of the second largest canyon in the United States. This was the site of the Red River Indian Wars of 1874 that ended the nomadic life of the Southern Plains Indians.
Our first stop was the Park Headquarters where we met the famous Texas Longhorn steers. Two of these cattle, named Biscuits and Gravy are supposedly descendants of the original herd from the Goodnight & Loving Cattle Drive days.
On to the Visitor’s Center which was well done with dioramas of the plants, animals, and the geological rock formations of the canyon. We saw the first of many panoramic views of the canyon that we thought were breathtaking in the noon sun!
As we drove the 17 mile loop of the Palo Duro (Hard Wood) Park, we went through several Red River crossings where frequent flash flooding could be seen. Most draws were dry at this time of the year, but one time we were up to our axles in flowing red mud!
Comments
I really like that you take time to do the near-by tours as well as the long distance tours. Too often we forget to see and appreciate the things closest to us. Also the first picture of your new car - looks really nice. Enjoy your trip.
Post a Comment!Another interesting trip. I look forward to the daily accounts and the pictures.
Longhorn Cattle
Palo Duro Canyon Diorama
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Honda Accord and Red Rocks
Red River
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