December 13-14, 2024 Amarillo and Palo Duro State Park, Texas

 This Friday the 13th had a high of 65 and was mostly cloudy. We went to Amarillo to sight see.

Our first stop was at Bug Ranch. It is a take off on the route 66 Cadillac Ranch. Instead of Cadillacs, it is 8 VW bugs and stretch limos. Anyone can spray paint on them. 

The stretch limos at Bug Ranch. Big Texas Steakhouse is listed as the number one attraction in Amarillo. It is a total tourist trap.  It was on Route 66, but when they put in I-40 they moved it there. Big Texan, a giant Godzilla and the last cowboy is Tex Randall, a Texas Icon in Canyon, Texas. He was originally built to advertise a curio shop and motel.  

John at Big Texan and we are in the Big Texan or Bust wagon. The challenge is if you can eat this 72 oz (4 1/2 lb) steak with the roll, potato , shrimp and salad in one hour it is free. 

And the Big Texan Steakhouse also has brewery. We had lunch there and John had a Rattlesnake IPA. John and I with the Christmas Big Texan bear. 

There were these great clouds right before sunset. I had high hopes for a sunset show.

But the clouds dissipated before sunset and we got a smaller show. 

65 and sunny. We hiked on the Kiowa trail today. John hiking by the Prairie Dog Town fork of the Red River. The amphitheater at Palo Duro State park.  Can you tell it is in Texas?

John on the trail. The trail.

A dry fall along the trail. The white layers are gypsum. 

Almost full moon rising. Sunset in camp.

After we hiked I spent a few hours sitting at the picnic table in the sun gluing findings onto these pieces of glass jewelry I made before I left. I still have a ton more earrings to do.