The trip to the Panhandle was well worth it. The "Texas" musical drama it self was worth the whole trip. The canyon is beautiful and the outdoor amphitheater is a perfect site for all the dancing and singing, telling the development of the panhandle. With the high wall of the canyon as a backdrop, the special effects were especially impressive. We both loved it. Also worth a visit was the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, just 10 miles from the Palo Duro canyon. Their dinosaur section is very impressive. The museum is a perfect size for us... not too big and very well organized by topic. We stayed all morning and even went back in the afternoon for an hour.
We hiked in the canyon yesterday morning, and I think I saw a painted bunting, but as we forgot to take our binoculars, I could not be sure. We also saw 4 mule deer, numerous rabbits, one bald eagle and two harrier hawks. Meadowlarks were everywhere, and canyon wrens. Both north and west of Amarillo and south and west of Canyon are huge farms complete with full irrigation systems. We drove in both areas and I guess I could say that the countryside drives were the most enjoyable. I have never seen such farms, where the land is perfectly flat in all directions and the sprinkler systems are huge. The water usage will become an issue sooner or later. The aquifer that provides water for everyone has not been replenishing itself since 1910, and folks are getting worried. I would love to know how they solve their problem down the road, because the large farms can not be productive with out the supply of water. The trains also are long. I'd love to see what happens to the panhandle in fifty years, but I am certainly happy to have seen it in 2008.
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