Amarillo, Flatlands, Canyonlands, and Cadillacs

From Capulin, New Mexico, we headed  south on US 87. As we entered the Texas Panhandle we encountered some of the flattest terrain we have seen. So when we arrived in Amarillo we weren't planning on staying too long, but the rv park had a deal and so we paid for two nights and got the third night free.
As we registered we asked the campground host about things to do in Amarillo and she quickly told us about Palo Duro Canyon, the antique disrtict, and with a grimace the Cadillac Ranch. Renita collected all the info and we decided to head first for the canyon.
Now the Palo Duro Canyon State Park is about 30 miles from our rv park and as we drove across the Texas high plains it seemed unlikely that the canyon could even exist. However as we neared the canyons rim we were treated to a steep sided canyon that reminded us of the Devils Tover area. Entering the park the road quickly warned us to use low gear and  we drove down a really steep and winding road! Definetly not another place that flat landers would enjoy. Halfway down an impatient driver pased us on a double yellow line and just before a hairpin. Must have had an important date with an armdillo?

Stopping at the overlook we enjoyed the view of the Lighthouse, a natural erosional remnant/pillar, and a sweeping panoramic view of most of the state park. A volunteer told us aout the Auodad or Barbary Sheep and so we hoped we could spot some as we toured the canyon.
After the steep and sharp descent we drove along a good road that did dip as it crossed and recrosssed the river. We checked out the first campground and it was very nice but the further campgrounds all presented problems for a stay as we worried about crossing the many river fords. While they probably would be dry the steepness could present the possibility of high centering or at least dragging the rear end.

We stopped at a rebuilt dugout, a partially buried earth home. It looked a lot roomier that Luna"s Jacana at Big Bend National Park. We continued to make stops, looking for the elusive Barbay sheep but they stayed elusive. Renita did spot our first road runner and it was kind of like a welcome to Texas sign.
At crossing number six the river flowed over the road and so we got to wash off the bottom of the truck.
Further down we passed the trails to the Lighthouse and a bicycle trail that and both held promise for a future visit.
We never did see any Barbary sheep but it was midday and as I was missing my siesta we headed back to Amarillo. At least we had seen a neat place and a place worth visiting again the next time we travel through this area.
The next day Renita had scheduled a full day of antiquing and she had also found a rock shop/supply store so we headed there first. We had only planned on a quick stop but the place turned out to have room after room full of rocks and had a gated area filled with piles and drums with just about every kind of rock imaginable.

We had a nice talk with the owner and we did manage to find some rock to buy, some beautiful sowbelly agate,(its called this because it resemblew sliced bacon)< and some India bloodstone. It was a really good price and I thought about going back and buying more but Renita insisted that it was time for antiquing so we headed to that district.
Now the antique shops are all along a single road and so its pretty easy to park and walk from shop to shop. As usual some shops had some really nice items but many had refurbished stuff thst was poorly done or even worse modern stuff made to look like it had some age. We even walked into one shop that didn't have any antiques at all, besdies the owner, and it advertised antiques!
Just when I was about completely disgusted we entered a shop where the owner made custom fly rods. HIs flyrods had handles of exotic woods and stones and even antlers and we talked with the owners for quite a while about thier beautiful work.
Another antique shop and I was about worn out from so much shopping. On top of that the schools(prisons), were getting out for the day and I didn't relish the rush hour traffic so Renita reluctantly agrred it was time to head back home.

A final stop was at the Cadillac Ranch. Its not the one in the movie but an artwork where ten old cadillacs were buried nose down ionto the ground. The cadillacs all point east and have been placed at the same angle as the Pyramid of Cheops.. There is a constant streams of poeple stopping and walking to the site where you are encouraged to spray paint the ever changing art.
Amarillo is  one of those places that we classify as an unexpected pleasure. Its a place where we had fun and its a place where we will spend more time when we pass through again but next time we will bike and hike the canyon.  Clear skies