Palo Duro, Caprock, and on

Hops and I had a lovely time in Palo Duro Canyon. It was stunning.

We hiked the CCC trail, from the bottom of the canyon to the top (~700 feet) and back down again.

And got harassed by the most aggressive roadrunner I have ever known in my life. Admittedly, it got one of Hops’s kibbles before I understood what was up; then it was so insistent on more that it nearly got into the van with us. I started out excitedly taking pictures, and pretty soon was trying to shoo it away. First the mule deer, and now this. Who knew we’d be collecting wild animals friends!

And then off for my mountain bike ride: I rode Rojo Grande, Paseo del Rio, Givens, Spicer, Lowry (GSL), Lighthouse, Juniper/Cliffside, Juniper/Riverside, and Sunflower. It was stunning.

After two nights in Palo Duro, we moved on to Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway.

But, that second night in Palo Duro, Hops’s water bowl froze solid overnight, inside the van. So we pushed on for the DFW metroplex, where my mother was waiting with a short-term rental for us. Warm.

I’ll be in this area for a week at least, doing laundry and visiting with some old friends – and my mom – and running errands. We may get a little less picturesque. But it’ll be a nice break. And there’s so much road ahead!