We planned to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, but it was booked solid for an event so we headed just Southeast to Caprock Canyons State Park. The fifty mile stretch of road leading to Caprock Canyons State Park is quite possibly the flattest and most boring highway in the U.S. (and yes, even more so than rural Kansas.) Even Mr. Quackers was getting tired of the lack of a view.

If not for the signs pointing us in this direction, we would have sworn we were going the wrong way. Then out of the blue the ground seemed to fall out and we were in the middle of the beautiful, red Caprock Canyons.

They say everything is bigger in Texas and that goes for their State Parks as well. This one encompasses over 15,000 acres and is home to the largest bison herd in Texas!

We arrived after hours so we were on our own to explore the park in search of the perfect campsite.

It's hard to explain how I felt as we drove through the canyons for the first time. I have never experienced such a grand landscape, it was a bit overwhelming.

We found a spot with an unbeatable view of the canyon, right on the edge of the cliff (in hindsight, not the best decision.)

The next day we asked at the Visitors Center and Rebecca suggested an 8.5 mile hike along the Upper Canyon Trail. 

We were all smiles at the trail head!

No we did not, a gallon per person and almost as much for the dogs!

We really should teach Max or Lucy to take pictures for us.

Ominous... but they are not kidding.

Wow.

It's amazing what can grow with no water.

The hike through the canyons and up to the highest point was difficult to say the least, but the view from the top was worth every single sweaty step. Thanks Rebecca!

The trail map described the descent as "steep and extremely rugged" and they were right on. It was an exciting twenty minute scramble- STRAIGHT DOWN.

Yes, we climbed up there.

By the last mile our water containers were bone dry and the dogs had all but given up.

The next day...

                                                                          we rested.


          Our last night at camp we were jolted out of bed by a thunderstorm and chased to our car by 60 mph wind gusts through the valley and up over our ridge. Although the car was a bit cramped, the lightning show from the scenic overlook was better than any sleep we missed.

Number two and counting.

 After two great stays in Texas, we are ready to tackle New Mexico!