Weekend Getaway: Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
Many years ago a neighbor was telling me about a place in Texas that they loved to visit called Palo Duro Canyon. Located in the panhandle, they would visit family there and then enjoy the state park and canyon. I will admit that I had never heard of it but it sounded intriguing and has always been in the back of mind to explore. So when we were looking at places to go within driving distance over our grandson's spring break, Palo Duro popped back into my mind. And that's exactly where we went! Come along on my first visit to Palo Duro Canyon, Texas for a weekend getaway!
Dust Storms
The trip started innocently enough. But when we got to the road to turn south, it was closed - highway patrol cars blocking it - with a long line of semi's waiting for it to open. What was going on? Well, it seems there were massive dust storms happening with high winds and there had been pile-ups happening in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. So we took the long way around - a detour if you will - and ended up in La Junta, Colorado instead of Lamar, where our hotel reservation was for. We cancelled the hotel reservation - told them we couldn't get there due to closed roads -and changed it for one in La Junta. We took a look at the requisite train in town, went out for pizza and hoped for the winds to down for the next day.
Bent's Old Fort
Bent's Old Fort was an adobe trading post on the Santa Fe Trail, a historic trail starting in Missouri and ending in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Traders, Trappers, Travelers and Native American tribes came together here for trade - peacefully. (It was built for the growing bison robe trade) Built in 1933 by brothers, William and Charles Bent, for most of its history it was the only major white settlement on the Santa Fe Trail. Today there is a reconstructed fort here that is part of the National Park Service that you can visit and learn about our country's westward expansion.
We were the only ones there on a Monday afternoon and unfortunately, the inside of the fort wasn't open due to construction. But we were able to read the history of the fort and walk around the outside to get a feel for the place. (The inside is now open again where you can access to the interior plaza and take guided tours)
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is located on the famed Route 66 in Amarillo. It is a public art installation created in 1974 to "honor the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin and comment on American consumerism." There are 10 cadillacs buried nose first in a field off of the road. It was and is intended to be an interactive form of art and visitors are encouraged to spray paint the cars, which makes it an ever changing piece of art.
We were here some fifteen years ago when it was, apparently, less popular. We stopped with our kids on the way to the Grand Canyon and took a few photos right before sunset. There was no one else there - if I remember correctly - and it was a fun, but quick stop.
This visit was much different - there were lots of people and there was a truck selling spray paint. Parking is along the frontage road and it was full up. Lots of families and cars with different state license plates. So very different. Once again our stop was short as it was almost dinner and our grandson was getting tired. Also he didn't quite "get it" - to be fair he was only 3 so not his favorite stop. Or Mr. UR's either for that matter. But it is a fun little photo stop - and interactive art installation if you choose.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
This canyon - known as the Grand Canyon of Texas - is the second largest canyon in the United States. It has an average width of 6 miles, but sometimes reaching up to 20 miles, with a length of 25 to 40 miles long. The state park that encompasses it is the largest state park in Texas - which is saying something - and you can hike, mountain bike, camp, and horseback ride here -and even enjoy an outdoor performance of the musical TEXAS in the summer. It's roughly 30 miles south of Amarillo and about 10 to 15 minutes outside of the small town of Canyon - where we stayed for our weekend.
There was a power outage on the first day that we arrived so when we headed to the park the next day, the lines were miles long to get in (apparently these were people who were turned away on the previous day) So we punted and did some other exploring and returned the next day. No lines that day, though the state park was busy. We stopped at the visitor center to get the lay of the land and then we drove the scenic view drive stopping to hike the easy Sunflower Trail. We were here in March so the weather was quite delightful but it was heating up by the time that we were done - I'm not quite sure how anyone could hike here in the prime heat of summer. (The most famous trail here is the Lighthouse Trail - a 2 hour moderate trail that leads to the famous lighthouse rock formation) I'm really glad that we visited Palo Duro Canyon - it was a good place to take a 4 year old and get outside!
Canyon, Texas - Howling Cow Winery, Foldman's Wrong Way Diner and Whataburger
A few places to eat and drink in Canyon -
Howling Cow Winery overlooks the canyon with outdoor and indoor seating. You can do a tasting or purchase a bottle. And there is a path to walk down to an overlook.
Foldman's Wrong Way Diner was a big hit with our grandson! There is a model train that makes a loop all around the restaurant - the tracks are near the ceiling. We did manage for him to get a bit of food in but he was so excited to follow the train all around. Food is basic American and would be a good spot for after church brunch.
Whataburger is a Texas fast food chain that began in 1950. The goal of the founder of the chain, Harmon Dobson, was to "serve a burger that took two whole hands to eat and for the customer to say What a Burger!" Each order is made to order and never frozen and made ahead and there are now some 1100 Whataburgers in 17 states. A perfect place to take a four old!
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