Palo Duro Canyon Jeep Tour

Me and Miss Daisy (and hubby) explored the "Grand Canyon of Texas" by taking a three-hour jeep tour through a privately-owned section of Palo Duro Canyon.  Our destination was located 25 miles south of Amarillo, TX.  "Palo Duro" is Spanish for hard wood (as in trees):  mesquite and juniper are prominent there.

 A working cattle ranch with thousands of acres of rugged range and scenic canyon land, it is owned and operated by Elkins Ranch.

 Daisy loves to travel.  She has logged many miles in her young life by car, truck, plane, train, golf cart, bike, and now....open air jeep.

 Nicole was our guide early one Sunday morning in late June. She clapped her hands before entering the teepee in case there were sidewinders or other rattlesnakes hiding there.

Nicole & Daisy

Mountain Boomer

Prickly Pear Cactus

Ancient Hoodoo

Triangular slopes of yellow, gray, & lavender mudstone and sandstone also known as "Spanish Skirts"

Spanish Skirt

The canyon is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 ft. deep.

Rim

Legend Falls (dry)

Blanket Flower

This area is a "must do" if visiting the high plains panhandle of TX.    Also, be entertained by college students and learn about the settling of Texas by attending "Texas," the outdoor musical drama.  It is performed in the summer months from the Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  This year (2013) completed their 48th season.  Daisy remained at the hotel while we enjoyed the show.