July 10, 2023 - PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

Today’s travel landed us farther north (still in Texas) at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It’s just south of Amarillo by about 25 minutes. We thought we knew a few secrets about Texas. This place however is their best kept secret. 

Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Here are a few of its stats. The canyon is about 120 miles long. The average width is about six miles but reaches a width of 20 miles at places. It’s depth is 880 feet! 

This canyon is known for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls, which are similar to those in the Grand Canyon. When I began research on this canyon I had it in my head that we would be on the rim camping like the we have done at Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Not here! We are on the floor of the canyon. It was a long steep 10% grade getting down in here. 

Side note for the film buffs "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989). Where was it filmed? As Indiana Jones and his father ride off into the sunset at the end, that final shot was filmed here at Amarillo's Palo Duro Canyon.

AND another side note on our arrival we had to remember to look out for rattlesnakes and all the cactus while out with Jett. However there’s one thing that I forgot about … tarantulas! 

Amarillo by morning! We will pass back through there in the morning on our way to the next destination. 

July 9, 2023 - THE RANGE VINTAGE RV RESORT

Located in Ennis, Texas! 

We spent the day at The Range Vintage RV Resort. Getting here in the dark last night wasn’t the worst we could ask for. Sites are large and everything is well lit. Original plan was to drop the Airstream and head into Dallas today to explore a few tourist stops. However now that we only have one full day in this location and we are exhausted from yesterday’s drive AND the fact that heat is here also in Texas we decided to enjoy this amazing and unique resort. 

One interesting thing is that Tim and I are not the resort kinda of people. But today we were!! The more off grid the more we like a location. This resort was just what we needed. We chose a secluded site that turned our perfect for us. Next to us is a hidden magical tree in the woods that is lit up at night. There are several on property. 

Other features of this gorgeous property is the barn! It is so beautiful!! What a wonderful space. On Friday and Saturday nights they offer dinners there. A 1959 Airstream Globetrotter serves as the bar and all this surrounded by a pool, fishing pond, fire pits and of course the fabulous campground. 

Tim and I took to day to relax. We took care of a few more loose ends on the Airstream. Walked the property and of course took a few dips in the pool. Remember the magical tree I mentioned? There’s a path there as well that leads right to the pool and the barn! 

If you decide to come here you have options. They only allow Airstreams (any year) and certain brands of vintage trailers. If you don’t have one of those don’t worry they offer vintage rentals to stay in as well. The owners have done an excellent job of creating and designing the layout of this incredible resort. 

Does this type of camping sound relaxing and fun to you? It worked for us and we will be back!! 

July 8, 2023 - LONG, LONG DAY

Did I mention it was a long day? Under normal circumstances Tim and I only drive for about six hours on travel days. However we still have to makeup some of the time that we lost from our late departure. 

Our mapped out time to our destination for the night was about ten hours. Rule of thumb for us on a six hour day is to add an hour for refueling and breaks. Well somehow that 10 hour timeline became almost fourteen hours. We departed Crestview, FL at 8:15am and landed in Ennis, TX at 9:45pm. ???

There was bad traffic in Mobile, Alabama that held us up maybe close to an hour. We did stop for fuel twice and one other quick ‘break’. Just not sure where all the time went. 

We did not want to go through Shreveport, Louisiana because of the bad roads on I-20 so we had decided to go farther west on I-10 before heading north to miss it. It was the quickest route anyway. Well then we received a rerouted update that said that route would now take an hour longer due to more traffic. Ugh! So we made the decision to go ahead and cut up through Mississippi and through Shreveport. In our heads we were thinking that road has to be fixed by now. Right?! Noooooo! We got Shrev’d again!! Someone please send both Mississippi and Louisiana money to fix their roads. Please. Worst road ever. Pot holes you could take a dip in and heaves that can launch your rig in the air. Eeek!  Just like those Duke boys. Brought back memories of working with them down in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Yee haw!!

At the end of the day we had broke two of our Airstream tow travel rules. Don’t drive much more than six hours in one day. And don’t arrive to a campground after dark. Our final destination for the day was The Range Vintage Trailer Resort in Ennis, TX. It’s located somewhere southeast of Dallas. Sunday we will explore the resort and hopefully get some pictures to show y’all.