Palo Duro Canyon, TexasMay 11, 2011
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| 5/10/11 Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas I am camping next to a fork of the Red River in the bottom of a canyon. (Prairie Dog Town Fork) The surrounding cliffs display 250 million years of history, layer upon layer. It is a panorama of magnificent color. This evening as I walked down to the stream, two white tail deer walked out. Not wanting my dog to spoil the mood, I clipped on his leash and returned to the camp. While telling my husband about the deer, a coyote walked across the road. Wild turkeys stroll around the campground. What a magical place! 5/11/11 Last night we were treated to a thunderstorm. The area is under a burn ban due to drought. With all the lightening, hail and thunder…only ¼ inch of rain fell. It was certainly a treat to watch the lightening at the top of the canyon. Today we hiked to a rock formation called “Lighthouse.” I think the distance was about 5-1/2 miles round trip. It was an amazing walk. Immediately, a white-tail deer leapt across the road. I must have taken 50 pictures. Every bend in the trail revealed a new photo opportunity. Tommy enjoyed himself thoroughly. It is a good thing he matches the dirt, because he was in a lot of mud. Three hours later, we crashed back at the camp. We were really spent. It must have been the altitude…We aren’t really getting older. Today is my birthday, so I took a nap. It was wonderful! Palo Duro Canyon is a historical and geologic treasure. Charles Goodnight and a partner established a ranch here. At the urging of his wife, Goodnight helped save the vanishing buffalo. Have you heard of the Goodnight Loving trail? Look it up, it is a touching story. This canyon was the location of the defeat of Quannah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche’s. Years ago I read a book about his mother, Cynthia Parker. She had been a white captive from the age of about 13. Once she was rescued, she attempted to return to her Comanche family. She died scorned and outcast from her white family. Quannah, her son, was given an education and he was instrumental in building bridges of understanding between the Comanche and U.S. government. We have been entranced with the beauty of Texas’ Grand Canyon. The park was built in 1934 by the CCC. It has a rustic charm and abundant wildlife. There are no cell phone signals in the canyon. I was able to access my voice mail once we toured the canyon rim. Amarillo is about 25 miles away and you can get a free 72 oz. steak dinner….only in America. |
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