Today was our chance to leave the interstate and get a taste of the country in the Palo Duro Canyon area southeast of Amarillo, TX. The route was recommended by the website America’s Best Guide to Motorcycle Roads and Rides (http://www.motorcycleroads.com )
As we headed around the loop, the land changed from crop producing to scrubby low trees in red soil with the occasional small rock outcroppings. It became warmer but the ever-present wind continued keeping us cool. We traveled the lonely road seeing only 25 cars in 100 miles. I could ride the centerline and felt like I owned the road. I wondered why the website had recommended it as scenic since the terrain did not stand out as unusual.
Then I entered a dry river valley on a curving mountain road. There several stately buttes stood. It was a dramatic change from the land at the higher elevation. We encountered this drastic change in topography two more times. Each time was a surprise with a different natural spectacle to greet us. It was always initiated by a plunge down a curvy mountain road transitioning to spectacular rocks formed by wind and water.
Firsts are a way we measure our progress while traveling. My firsts today were seeing a tumbleweed roll across my path, noticing a pear shaped cacti blooming on the side of the road and standing next to the sign in Adrian which marked the mid point of Route 66.
