The Grand Canyon of Texas

Have you ever heard of "The Grand Canyon of Texas"? Neither had we until we saw signs for it as we drove along. It is Palo Duro Canyon, they claim it is the second largest canyon in the United States, and it's located 27 miles southeast of Amarillo. Taking the girls with us, we headed out this morning, convinced that we would be underwhelmed after seeing so much incredible scenery in our travels this year. After all, isn't all of Texas flat?

Quite the contrary. The canyon is huge and beautiful and all the reds, tans, golds, grays, etc of the many rock formations are heavily dotted with the green of the mesquite, cottonwoods, and juniper...overwhelmingly awesome!

Doesn't this next photo make you want to lace up your hiking boots and climb up there to explore that cave? What? You don't think so, huh? Not me either...

We drove through a running stream which reminded me of country roads when I was a kid; it was so exciting then (and now) to drive through flowing water.

Blooming cacti...

Flowing streams throughout the canyon...

A hoodoo is a tall, thin, protruding spire of rock...

MOAO & The Girls...

There are five resident Texas Longhorn Steers, part of the Official State Longhorn Herd, in the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. They feed them treats at 1:30 every afternoon to entice them up to the gate for visitors to see. Today, the three six year old youngsters never did show but we saw the two oldest steers. Biscuits is 29 years old and Gravy is 24 years old. Their horns are something to see, and to avoid. The Interpreter who was there today had his nose broken by Biscuits a couple years ago when the steer swing his head to the side to swat flies and the guy was standing too close. The steers are all named by local first graders.

This is Biscuits...

And here is Gravy...

Lovin' Life ~~ and Its Continual Surprises!

  Bev