"You bet!"
And so, I took off to meet my sister in Amarillo. She lives several states away, so although I would have probably never chosen Amarillo as a place to spend a long weekend, I knew we'd have fun no matter where we were.
And we did have fun!
Cadillac Ranch was first on our must-see list. It could be a sad sight, if it wasn't so unique. Aerosol cans were discarded everywhere (even though there was a dumpster available). Beautiful Cadillacs were beaten, abused, and defaced. It had free, easy access off the highway, and was touted as an outlet where anyone can paint anything on an unusual canvas. I was amazed at the people that were coming to this famous site. They kept coming, and kept coming, staying as long as they wished, then moving on, a continuous circle of new painters, on-lookers, and picture takers.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum was next on our list. The largest museum in the state of Texas, it was a maze of information, beauty, and history. We spent several hours there, and we moved through the museum at a fast pace. A day - or two or three - would be needed to truly see most of this extensive museum.
I looked forward to hiking Palo Duro Canyon. Considered the Grand Canyon of Texas (but in reality no where near as grand), we found the scenery interesting, breathtaking, and beautiful. The hiking was nice after we found the correct trail (before we realized which way to go, we were practically hanging off a cliff).
But the highlight of our trip was TEXAS! Texas, the musical, is a play, a fireworks show, and an extravaganza put on in an amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon. It is a drama based upon history, and I was surprised how emotionally attached I became to the characters. The play has fire, fountains, horses, flags, singing, dancing, and fireworks. It was a fabulous experience, and I would recommend seeing it if you ever go to Amarillo.
There is a Chuckwagon dinner option, which we did not take, but I wish we would have. When we arrived, the diners were doing the Chicken dance to a live band! I think they must have been treated not only to a fine dinner, but also to two hours of total fun.
Have you ever been to Amarillo? Did you see Texas the musical? Did you do the Chicken dance?
I want to go to all you show...only 4 hours east! But to also check out the native plant communities down in the canyon. Thanks for the preview...soon!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you go and have a wonderful time! There is a botanical garden there that I wanted to see, but it was not open on Sunday, and that was the only day I could have fit it in.
DeleteI went to Cadillac Ranch about 15 years ago. We practically had the place to ourselves. Your trip to Amarillo sounds like a fun way to spend the weekend!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised how many people there were, all with spray paint! Amarillo was a very nice place for a short visit. I would love to have done a few more things, and hiked a bit more, but was happy with all I did in the time I had.
DeleteOOOOh! the chicken dance! I've never done it, :((
ReplyDeletehaha - I've seen it done, but am not sure I've ever actually had the opportunity to participate, either!
DeleteLooks like a fun place! And it also reminds me of the song 'Is This the way to Amarillo?' :)
ReplyDeleteIt must be a magical place to have all these songs about it! :)
DeleteNever been to Amarillo. My only sojourn in Texas was a drive through on the way from OK to NM in 1994 when we spent 6 weeks camping across the country. Sounds like you had a nice time.
ReplyDeleteDid the day lily I sent you last year bloom for you this year? They are in full bloom here now, so yours would have bloomed much earlier.
Mine have not bloomed. :( I will go outside and tell them their mama is disappointed in them! :)
DeleteWe drove through Amarillo on our way West to visit son in Santa Fe. If I had only known!....
ReplyDeleteI'm certain you wouldn't have wanted to stop - I imagine you were trying to get to your son asap! :)
DeleteI was never in Amarillo that I can remember. I did see a lot of Texas though. Your photos seem so much like what I remember of Texas. A boot licking kind of place. The Cadillac ranch is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteYes, Amarillo has a lot of boots and cowboy hats. I love seeing that in Texas!
DeleteNO---never been to any of those things --but have heard of most of them. We did pass through Amarillo on our way out west last June.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had some time with your sister. Why not some pictures of the two of you? I love personal touches to blogs. Is your sister a master gardener like you????
Glad you had a great time.
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm not a Master Gardener, and my sister is not, either. But she has grown vegetables in the past, and is moving to a new home with a large lot that she is making big garden plans for!
DeleteThat looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was! I could have stayed just a few more days to see even more, but we packed in a lot in the time we had.
DeleteThat's quite a drive for you isn't it? Glad you had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWe've driven through Amarillo a number of times on our way to Colorado but have never stopped for more than a few minutes. I should stop and see Cadillac Ranch sometime. It was quite a icon of contemporary art when first installed.
I flew - it would have been about an 8 hour's drive. I wish I could have seen Cadillac ranch when it was first installed. I bet those Cadillacs were a beautiful sight to see.
DeleteWow! It looks like you had quite a trip. Cadillac Ranch looks like lots of fun, and I'll bet the museum was fascinating (I love museums). I enjoyed the tour. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you like museums, you would have loved this one. It had a section on almost everything imaginable, including dinosaurs, an oil derrick, oil paintings, and so much more. I was serious when I said it would take days to see everything in it.
DeleteThat sounds like an absolutely fabulous long weekend. What fun you had! Sounds like people in Amarillo know how to have a good time.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived there, I think I would be at Palo Duro canyon every weekend!
DeleteSorry for being absent for such a long time, I am slowly trying to catch up with things, visiting your blog included :-)
ReplyDeleteHolley, you are one of my favourite bloggers, so I want to nominate you for the Illuminating Blogger Award for illuminating, informative blog content.
Here are the details:
http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/
Awards like this one are a nice way link blogs and meet other bloggers :-)
Take care.
Thank you, Helene. I appreciate you thinking of me.
DeleteI've just had a lovely catch up on your blog, I really enjoyed your garden tour posts! Lots of lovely ideas! It's winter here so I'm garden dreaming by the fire and storing up ideas for spring and summer. Your blog is highly inspiring as usual.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best part about winter - it gives us a time to dream and plan. :)
DeleteI have travelled through Amarillo several times on my way West. I never had time to stop for long except to eat at the Big Texan...boy have I missed a lot! Looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteI would truly recommend staying one night and seeing the Texas musical and taking in a quick hike. Of course, eating at the Big Texan sounds fun, too!
DeleteMy Dad's brother's family used to live in Amarillo, but whenever we visited we seemed to be going to graduations and weddings and things. My cousins love Palo Duro Canyon and talked about it a lot--looks like a really beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI know how it is when you visit family. There's not enough time to see everyone, usually, much less doing something other than visiting! Palo Duro Canyon is very pretty. I wish I would have had more time to hike there.
Delete