It started raining this morning and hasn't stopped. The soil in the canyon is not sandy, it's just dirt. The trails are now just mud. The park trails have all been closed due to that sad fact. No significant, or for that matter, insignificant outside activity occurred today. I will give you some Palo Duro Canyon info: "Palo Duro" is Spanish for "hard wood" in reference to the Rocky Mountain Juniper tree that is common in the Canyon. The "Red River War's" final battle was fought here in 1874. That was the end of the Southern Plains Indian rebellion and opened up the area for settlement. Of course it was previously settled by the Indians but that's another story. Charles Goodnight moved in and started raising Longhorns. His ranch reached its peak in 1885 at 1,325,000 acres and 100,000 head of cattle. The canyon is 120 miles long and 700 feet deep. It's the 2nd largest canyon in the country. One of the branches of the Red River started carving it right after Trump was born. Maybe before that, it's hard to tell. Hopefully things will dry up soon and we'll be able to get out. More tomorrow. PS-the burger was pretty good.
Sorry for the rain, but rain happens. We are hoping for some in next four days but at best it will be spotty. Grass is starting to look stressed again! Trail maintenance today, takes a couple hours. Had two great, long rides past few days, buck might need a day off, usually reserve rain days for off days but like I said, looks iffy. Have a great day, reading, talking or just eating burgers.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful canyon. Thanks for the hx lesson. Suggestions on good books to read if its raining...Reese Witherspoon's "Gone Before Goodbye" (she co-authored and its a nail bitter) and Rick Steves "On The Hippie Trail"- His 1978 adventures thru Tehran, Turkey, India, Pakistan and Kathmandu..Wow. Not sure if you guys can upload from your library. Hope that it stops raining there and moves on to Columbus, NC. Paula
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