Palo Duro Canyon, TX (map)
On the return road trip home from our South Dakota adventures we made our way down a more westernly route that gave us the chance to pass through the panhandle of Texas and the heart of Amarillo. Where not known for an international destination we do make time for 2 out of the 3 must see destinations in the area:
- Cadillac Ranch
- The Big Texan
- Palo Duro Canyon
Our free campsite in Dumas, TX the night before got us into Amarillo bright in early and seeing how we were heading to a big family birthday BBQ in Lubbock that night we decide to pass on the free 72oz steak at The Big Texan for breakfast. However there was no passing up the 10 Cadillac’s put out to pasture and buried nose deep in the Texas soil. The Cadillac Ranch is a long-standing Route 66 attraction started back in 1974 for the amusement to break up the road side monotony.
After being cooped up in the car for the whole previous day we set our next destination to checkout the Grand Canyon of Texas. Where not all things in Texas are bigger, the Palo Duro Canyon did not disappoint. An obvious word of warning to anyone who is venturing off into a canyon in Texas in late August, bring WATER and lots of it. We made it out of the Lighthouse trail by noon sipping our water sparsely but were shocked at the number of people entering mid-day with no water at all; they must be camels.
A must see for any Texan!
We Go Round the World 
This brings back memories. While going to undergrad. at Wayland, I used to hike in the canyon frequently, mostly in the fall and spring! Summer, never! I did some time in Amarillo after Wayland and had several occasions to visit the creator of the cadillac ranch, Mr. Marsh, at his actual ranch across the highway from the sculpture as he called it. He would offer us one scotch, one bourbon, and one joint (instead of a beer) and tell stories you wouldn’t believe! (keep in mind it was the 70’s). Great man to visit but you wouldn’t want to live there….
Weed, huh? 😉
We made a stop by Wayland on the way to Lubbock, in case your bro didn’t share it we found y’alls Brick!
https://plus.google.com/photos/118401592444117500177/albums/5935802582378380881/5935802582784152450?authkey=CN6E0pXimPHWpgE&pid=5935802582784152450&oid=118401592444117500177