You just have to go with what you are given and that is what we did, several walks around Copper Breaks State Park with the doggies for a total of 4.5 miles.
During our walks we saw some interesting sights….
It was early evening when we saw this fellow hunting bugs in the grass.
Roadrunner – Beep, Beep
A Texas Longhorn from the herd at Copper Breaks.
Texas Longhorn
Perhaps it is the vintage look of these Windmills that I like so much.
Windmill Pump
Well past its blooming season, but still lovely with a splash of color.
Dry arid land
It is always interesting to walk along a river bank. The Pease River, a tributary of the Red River which runs through West Texas, meanders its way through Copper Breaks State Park.
Pease River in Copper Breaks State Park
Tall reeds, protection for wildlife.
Grasses surrounding a pond
One of the small ponds in the park.
A small pond
Now for the fun part ` seeing the Texas Longhorns at Copper Breaks.
A little Texas Longhorn
If you are interested you may read about these handsome fellows by clicking on this link Longhorns
“What you looking at sister?”
The end of our day, enjoyed and treasured.
Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. We will be on our way to Cooper Lakes State Park.
How many country and western songs would you guess have been written about Amarillo? I don’t know, but there are several. One of the most famous is Amarillo by Morning, which has been recorded by many artists including George Strait. And, why is it stuck in my head? Read these lyrics and it will be stuck in yours!
Amarillo by Morning
By George Strait
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
When that sun is high in that Texas sky
I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo, I’ll be there
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
I lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I’ll be lookin’ for 8 when they pull that gate
And I hope that judge ain’t blind
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s on my mind
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
I ain’t got a dime but what I got is mine
I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
Thursday evening we receive a phone call from the Ford Dealership in Canyon, TX letting us know our car is ready. Just like that our plans change; we will have to visit the Amarillo Botanical Gardens and see the Christmas lights another time.
Friday morning was hectic, up early, on the road to Canyon with the rental car to pick up our car, back to Amarillo to drop off the rental car, and then back to the RV Park to get the coach ready to pull out before eleven o’clock. We made it!
We decided to travel to Copper Breaks State Park in Quanta, TX and stay Friday and Saturday night. We visited this park once before and enjoyed staying here. We arrived at Copper Breaks early in the afternoon and after getting settled in our site we enjoyed a walk and a sunset.
Copper Breaks State ParkSun starting to set
The sounds of Amarillo…..trains, planes, helicopters and eighteen wheelers, were becoming unpleasant. All sounds we could hear from our site at Amarillo Ranch RV Park.
Perhaps this is why so many country songs have been written about Amarillo, to simply drown out the noise with music.
Or it could be Amarillo rhymes with a lot of words!
Today was peaceful, quite, un-crowded, with dark (I mean dark) skies.
I took these photos back in February while visiting the Hobe Sound Nature Center. Sorry for the poor lighting. I wasn’t able to determine the cause of the injuries to these two beautiful birds.
You can visit the web-site for the HSNC at http://hobesoundnaturecenter.com to see the other members of the “Teaching Team”.
Even though confined by the boundariesof perches and enclosures, I believe they have the best possible life under the circumstances.
What are you doing on my Michelins? It appears as if the Michelin man is trying to pull the Praying Mantis off.
While we were camping at Copper Breaks State Park outside of Quanah, TX, we encountered Praying Mantis everywhere. They liked hanging on to the coach tires; I believe for the heat.
Notice, the little leg hanging on to the rubber stub on the tire. I when outside to get something out of one of the bays and came back inside with one on my ear! Yikes!
“I think I will stretch, before I take off.”Why don’t you stay awhile?Run, Baby, Run
I took these photos while at Copper Breaks State Park. We were driving out of the park and i noticed her sitting on this fence post. I got out of the car and was able to capture these shots before, as you can see, she darted off!
This is our first stay at Copper Breaks State Park and we have truly enjoyed our visit.The park has twenty-five RV sites and most will accommodate 40 foot motorhomes. Each site has 50amp electricity and water. The central dump station is in the RV loop. Howard states “power quality is excellent”. Price per night $20.00.
We arrived on Friday and will leave in the morning. We discussed staying another day, but eminent weather is forcing us to move on; rains are predicted for this area this coming week.
It is a beautiful state park with lots of hiking trails, in fact we felt we got a chance to do some “on the ground rock climbing”. We loved the rock climbing! The park has rugged, deep, colorful canyons that offer explorers some fun.
I was disappointed in the lack of wildlife we have seen here; perhaps it is the time of year. We spotted a few birds, but not much of anything else. Everyday, we have heard flocks of Sandhill Cranes passing over even late at night;. They must be heading south and we will see them in Florida! We also have been serenaded by coyotes every evening. There are bat houses everywhere and we have seen a few. I had a Praying Mantis land on my ear, which i really did not like.
This is a beautiful, quiet and rural part of America and we have loved spending time here!
Fall colors and a Great Blue HeronBull Canyon Trail HeadJagged Canyon WallsPart of Bull CanyonTop of Bull CanyonA little canyon rock climbing!The Sentinel – Kloud (left) The Pilot – Howard The Navigator – Sheila The Greeter – Skye RiverCopper Breaks State ParkSite 24Our covered picnic table.The Copper Breaks State Park campgroundThrough the Trees, overlooking the canyon.The PondHoward’s Best Friend Overlooking Bull CanyonWelcome to Quanah, Texas
Information taken from Texas State Historical Association:
Copper Breaks State Park, on the Pease River and State Highway 6 twelve miles south of Quanah in Hardeman County, was established in 1970. From its original 1,889 acres, this scenic area has been expanded to nearly 1,933 acres featuring rugged canyons and a seventy-acre lake made by an earthen dam.
“Breaks” refers to the fractures and faults that define the limited waterways of the park. Small amounts of copper, insufficient for commercial purposes, can be found in the area clay. Facilities for picnicking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding are provided. A small historical museum exhibit is available, and a portion of the official Texas longhorn herd is maintained in the park.
Travel Notes:
Date: Friday, November 1, 2013
Departed: Lake Rita Blanca City Park
Arrived: Quanah, Texas
Traveled: 241 miles
Current location: Copper Breaks State Park
Visited: Three nights (third night tonight)
Site Number: 24
In the morning we head to Lake Ray Roberts State Park
