DFW to Amarillo - what is there to do or photo? UPDATED!

[mattman]

OK fellow photogs, I'll be traveling from DFW to Amarillo on July 25th, spending two nights and returning on July 27th. (updated dates) So what is out there in the vast western part of our glorious state to photo? Please - your help is needed for this very short trip out there.....

mattman

UPDATED: So we went to a Dillas's game - ate at the Blue Sky Cafe (awesome) - went to Palo Duro Canyon (beautiful) - and I photographed the Cadillac Ranch - nice weekend!

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, my son and I had fun!

[Hanky]

Somewhere out there is a little roadside wooden indian store. Cant promise you that it is before or after Amarillo though.

[photosteve]

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2220



PhotoSteve

[mattman]

Thanks Steve! I dunno about 72 ozs of pure red meat though!

mattman

[AndrewCCM]

Nothing. That is one flat dull road trip. LOL

Been there, done that.

[Hogleg 44]

PaloDuro Canyon. 27 miles south east of Amarillo.

[bondarnes]

I usually sleep when I have to drive that road. There's not much after you leave Wichita Falls except miles and miles of miles. Watch out for the Highway Patrol out there they don't get much action so they don't give much leeway. I got a ticket for 73 in a 65. I forgot to slow down after it got dark.

[amadjuster]

Hey Don, I want to thank you for being my bird dog when ol' smokey got you

I waved when I went by.

[SCone]

Got caught in a huge traffic jam about 35 miles outside of Amarillo several years ago. There was a big wreck that had the 287 shut-down with Careflight coming in. So we just sat around waiting for it to clear when I remembered a Farm Market road heading off to the north toward I40 a little ways back.

We went from paved to gravel to packed dirt and then to dirt. Was afraid we'd run out of road, but it never did. In fact, we got back to a paved road and finally to I40 after about an hour or so.

All that to say this, the scenery was fantastic. Dry creekbeds, bluffs, cactus and brush. Made me feel like we were in an old western movie.

Problem is, I'm not sure which road it was, I think it was outside of Memphis?

[Shane Jennings]

The Cadillac Ranch is on I-40 west of town. Not necessarily scenic, but interesting.

If you go to Palo Duro, when you leave the Park get on FM 1258 on the north side of the Park and head east to Hwy 207. Head south on 207 until you get to Hwy 86. Some beautiful canyons up and down 207. Turn west on 86 and go through Silverton to Quitaque. Go north of town a couple of miles to Caprock Canyons SP. Make a quick run through there, and then go back to 86 and head east through Turkey and then to Esteline at Hwy 287. That will take you back to Ft. Worth, of course.

You will see some beautiful country all along the Caprock if you go that way. MUCH better scenery than either cotton fields or big city asphalt, without a doubt.

[CaptainTom]

Cadillac Ranch can be pretty cool if the light is right.

Check THIS OUT....

[kenay48]

Just south of Wichita Falls is Archer City. This place was made known by Larry McMurtry's 1970's book and film "The Last Picture Show". There are some good photo ops of the old theatre. If you go to the book store there you may run into Larry McMurtry. Just going through his book stores there is an experience.

Also, at the town of Hedley you can turn north and head toward McLean. There is some good old west type scenery along there. Once in McLean there are some good photo ops of old restored Route 66 gas stations.

If you go west on I-40 from McLean don't forget Groom and the largest cross in the western hemisphere, leaning water tower and other stuff.

Even though the drive is boring on 287 if you get off the main road there are some tremendous photo ops. Maybe the camels will be grazing between Electra and Vernon. If you go north on 283 at Vernon, good photo ops of the Red River. Many times have I crossed the Red River there coming out of Altus and said a prayer that I was glad to be back in Texas. (I don't like Oklahoma and see no social redeeming value of that state).

At Estelline turn west on 86 and head for Turkey (home of Bob Wills) and eat lunch in Quitaque. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but, it is good and reasonable. You won't have any trouble finding it. Continuing west toward Silverton you'll go through Caprock Canyons S.P. Then north on 207 to Claude, then a short drive into Amarillo.

While in Amarillo, be sure to eat at Lincoln's. Don't bother with the Big Texan, tourist trap and the worst steak I've ever had in Texas.

Enjoy your trip, it can be made enjoyable if you're into photography.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by amadjuster

Hey Don, I want to thank you for being my bird dog when ol' smokey got you

I waved when I went by.

I didn't even bother to fight it. It happened in Motley County and the patrolman's last name was Motley. I figured that was probably the J.P.'s last name also so I didn't stand a chance

[mattman]

WOW - thanks everyone! Those Cadillacs are a definite photo op. I've always wanted to photograph those. Amarillo also has a minor-league baseball team - definitely going to check that out. As long as I've lived in Texas, I've never been to Palo Duro Canyon so that might need to put into the mix. I'll have my 12 year old son with me so he will also enjoy the baseball.

Corky - thanks for the details, that will make it easier to get around and look for photo ops.

Steve - I love that Roadside America stuff. I didn't realize I-40 was Route 66.

Tom - are those your pixs? - Nice!

Oh and Don, anytime you want to be the lead car, go right ahead!!!

mattman

[CaptainTom]

Tom - are those your pixs? - Nice!

Thanks. It was the luck of the draw as I was driving back from a long weekend in Santa Fe, NM. I got rained on, but the rainbows were worth it.

It's a slideshow on my website.