Happy Sunday a few days late.
Sorry about the delay. I figured out about how far into the wilderness I can go and still get any kind of internet, then went just a bit past it.
This week took me as far north as I'm going this time around. Caprock Canyons State Park is just outside of the little town of Quitaqua (pronounced Kitty-Quay), population 382 in the Texas Panhandle Plains area.
The park is mainly known for two things: spectacular vistas of the many canyons, and its the home of the Texas State Bison Herd. And neither disappoint.
Imagine walking stepping out of your door and coming face to face with about 2000 pounds of fur and horns. That's pretty much what happened to me. I had all the fixin's together for my Saturday night steak on the grill, popped open the door to the RV, and there this big bull was, along with the family.
And they weren't in any hurry to leave, either. I had to wait about an hour to finish cooking. Not that I cared, though. It was kinda fun to get this close.
You see, the bison have the run of the place and they take full advantage of it. You really have to watch your step, too. They leave little presents everywhere. And don't be in a hurry to go anywhere. You never know when the herd will decide to take the human road while moving to the lake or to better grazing.
The bison are descendants of the great herd that once roamed this part of the country. As a matter of fact, they are the last remaining members of the Southern Plains herd.
In 1878, Charles Goodnight, he of the Goodnight-Loving trail and a cattle baron, at the insistence of his wife started a herd of bison on his YA ranch in the panhandle of Texas. In 1997, the herd was donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife department and moved to Caprock Canyons. There, they are managed by TPWD experts and will be home for generations to come and experience this largest land mammal in the US up close.
Side note: Ever wonder where the term "hightail it," came from? When bison get agitated, they raise their tails in sort of a question mark shape. When early settlers saw that they knew to "hightail it outta there!"
And the bison have a heck of a home. The view from just about anywhere in the park is amazing. Formed by water running off the high plains of the Llano Estacado through the Caprock Escarpment, the canyons show off the multiple geologic layers forming the escarpment in brilliants reds, oranges and white. Many trails wander through the park where you can hike, bike or ride horses (there is an equestrian campground with fenced corrals) and a road runs the length of it with multiple areas to pull off and wonder at the beauty.
As if that wasn't enough, CCSP has a prairie dog town. These little guys are a hoot to watch. They pop up out of their holes and scamper along the road near one of the bathrooms. Their chirping can be heard from the campsites.
And the area around the park has some interesting history. Turkey, Texas is about 10 miles down the road. It's the home of Bob Wills. If you need me to tell you who Bob Wills is, you ain't a Texan. There's a small museum in the town hall devoted to Bob and the Texas Playboys, and a rebuilt 1930's Phillips 66 station displays his old tour bus.
If you're up for a little drive, the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum is worth it. Located on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon about 85 miles away, the museum showcases the history of the panhandle of Texas, from the dinosaurs of 250 million years ago, through the plains Indians, a reconstructed Pioneer town, to the oil boom and a fascinating collection of antique cars, as well as a tribute to Route 66.
And down in the basement are dioramas showing daily life of the plains and several of the local wildlife. These all were installed in the 30's when the museum was first opened. I was struck by how well they have stood the past 85 plus years, the workmanship of those times and how they still are fascinating to look at.
That's it for now. I'm already at my next stop: Fort Richardson State Park in Jacksboro. I'll fill you in on the fun times this weekend, promise. Until then,
Later, folks.
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