This post is going to be 90% pictures and only 10% words. I know how wordy I can get lately, so I figured I’d clarify that right up front so you don’t click away.
We are currently in Amarillo, Texas and we are loving this area. The weather is a perfect mid 80’s during the daytime with the humidity being in the teens the majority of the time. It gets down into the 60’s at night and with the low humidity that feels downright cold! We chose this area because we wanted to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which we did. Twice! We would have LOVED to have stayed inside the park, but there is no cell signal down in the canyon and that is where the campground is located. Greg has to work, so we need cell service to have internet. In light of this, we stayed in Fort Amarillo RV Park & Resort which is only about 15 minutes from the entrance to Palo Duro Canyon. I know, I know… I’m getting wordy. Pictures, lots of pictures are coming! These were all taken at Palo Duro Canyon, inside the park:
The canyon is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. It is often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States. The largest, of course, is the Grand Canyon.
That is Greg and Elijah checking out the view when we first arrived. We ended up returning to the canyon for a late afternoon/early evening visit later in the week also.
I took a picture of the two of them taking pictures. We were all blown away.
Pondering Palo Duro Canyon
It’s hard to see, but right in the middle of the picture is a famous rock formation called “The Lighthouse”
People bring their horses in so they can ride them on trails throughout the canyon. They also have an equestrian campground.
Greg and Moses both fit right in with God’s gorgeous and wild creation. I love that man. And I love that truck too!
Moses in the wilderness
This is where water would flow down in a rain storm
These cactus plants with their yellow flowers are all over the park.
Greg and Elijah hiked up there. They did quite a bit of hiking, me… not so much
I love the dry heat so I rode through much of the park in the back of the truck while Greg and Elijah rode in the air conditioned cab.
Greg and Elijah hiked up to and found this cave. They then moved the truck closer to entrance and I hiked up there also! Go me!
Greg inside the cave
Inside the cave. It was definitely worth the effort
Elijah taking in the view from the mouth of the cave
It’s a good thing this is a silhouette so you can’t see the sheer exhaustion on our faces! If you know me, you know I have multiple sclerosis, so doing this much hiking is a big deal for me. I did it and lived to tell about it!
Check out this sign… YIKES! Greg wouldn’t let me do it. This trail leads to the lighthouse formation which I really wanted to see closer. Greg and Elijah didn’t even attempt this hike as way it was too far and way too hot!
This is the Red River that flows through and helped form the canyon
This is one of their campsites. Sure would have been awesome to have been able to stay here, but we need cell service. If we were staying longer we would stay at least for a weekend.
What an amazing picnic spot. There was only one table and nobody else around. Elijah had trails to explore while I was getting everything prepared as well. He is on the hunt for snakes, spiders, geckos, lizards, and any other creature he can find. I was a wee bit nervous and told him to stay on the trail remembering when my oldest was attacked by a jumping cactus in Arizona when he was about Elijah’s age.
Family Selfie
Greg in his new hat. (He has a bit of a hat fetish.)
Greg being silly in the park gift store
See what I mean about his hat fetish? I can’t take this man anywhere!!!
We brought Popeye, our miniature goldendoodle with us on our return trip. He hung out in the back of the truck with me.
Elijah, Popeye and myself chillaxing on a picnic table. We were trying to keep him away from all the cacti!
Me and my precious pup. Can you tell that I kinda like him a little?!?!?
Wild turkeys in the park
Father/Son Selfie
Elijah is totally in his element
A couple of young women trailered their horses in for a trail ride. Their beautiful horses were all saddled up and ready to hit the trail from the trailer. I was so jealous!!!
Popeye at Palo Duro
See the winding road? There is one road that leads down to the canyon and then you drive the same road back out. It’s 16 miles round trip.
These were camping cabins that you can rent out. What a view!
This herd of horses was just outside the park entrance. You can see some of the canyon in the background.
Here are some pictures of Fort Amarillo RV Park where we are staying:
The front of the park. There is also a very cool store called Lizzie Mae’s Mercantile.
Inside Lizzie Mae’s Mercantile
Another shot Inside Lizzie Mae’s
Lizzie Mae’s reminds me of a store in Gatlinburg, TN. It also has a Christmas-themed room.
Elijah in the indoor heated pool
Elijah and I at the front of the park watching the sunset. You can’t see them in this picture, but there are horses in the field we are looking at.
This is the lady’s restroom in Lizzie Mae’s. The sign in the painting says “Bonnie’s Bath House”
This is the men’s restroom. The sign in this one says “Clyde’s Bath House”
Horse statue by campground playground
There’s a large green space area with pond, benches, a waterfall, and more. This area is right next to our campsite.
You can see the waterfall on the right and if you look closely, you can see our “Reflection” smack dab in the middle. That’s how close we are to this park area.
This was my view this morning while doing laundry.
This is my view on my morning walk with Popeye. This is just outside the entrance of the RV Park.
#11 | Fort Amarillo RV Resort in Amarillo, Texas • Site #135 • 1 week: 6/5-6/12/16
This picture reminds me of my palomino (that I had years ago) Goldie. Although this is a male and a much younger palomino than Goldie was, it still looks remarkably like her. I slightly teared up when I saw this picture. I miss her!
Greg and I were just telling Elijah yesterday about Chuck Wagons and here was one on display.
This was an interesting sign with the detailed formation of a cattle drive. I learn something new everyday.
This is an actual chuck wagon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one loaded up like this
They carried firewood for the cooking fire under the wagon. Can you see it? Who knew?!?!
I just wanted to climb up into this saddle and ride off into the sunset. I couldn’t though… It was behind glass.
As for ambling Amarillo, below are some pictures from around the town. I like this area WAY more than I expected too. This destination has been my favorite in our journeys thus far.
Cadillac Ranch is a famous roadside attaction that was created in 1974. This is not something you see everyday! (Unless you live in Amarillo.)
There is a road runner on the ground in front of the fence on the right side, and a palomino pony behind the fence.
I love horses. These are a couple from a large herd of horses just across from where we are staying
In case you are wondering, his name is “Muffler Man”
We went on a short walk on this trail. It’s just off a country road very close to our RV Park.
Sunday we are off again. We are going to Albuquerque, New Mexico for one week and then we are heading to Arizona and to the Grand Canyon area where we will hang out for six whole weeks! Woohoo!!! The first 2 weeks we will be staying at a state park, then we will be in an RV Park close to the Grand Canyon for an entire month. I am very excited to be able to spend some quantity as well as quality time in the Flagstaff area. In the meantime, be on the lookout for my next blog from New Mexico.
Happy Trails and Sunny Sails from….
P.S. You should be able to comment now. I was getting TONS of spam comments and changed my settings to make it so strict that I then got zero comments. 🙁 I contacted GoDaddy and was able to install some security and an anti-spam add-on which should alleviate the major spam comments I was getting. All this to say…. comment! Please!!!!
