Amarillo
Campground
Oasis RV Resort
A very nice, clean campground conveniently right off I-40. We could not hear highway noise, though! Several individual combo bathroom-shower rooms scattered around the campground. They do have a pool, a family hot tub, an adult hot tub, fitness center, game room, and store. However, when we were here, the hot tubs were both out-of-order. Nice fenced-in grass dog park and other grass areas so Polly could get her zoomies out.
Things to see
Cadillac Ranch
You'll find this on the local list of things to do. Yes, it is one of those oddities that may make you say "hmmm" and "why" but IT IS ART! There is a snack truck on-site that will happily sell you spray paint so you can add your own touch to the cars. Since you're already here, go see the "Second Amendment Cowboy" (see pics).
Floating Mesa of Amarillo
Seriously? One of those "Atlas Obscura" things. Can you tell we were running out of things to do in Amarillo? This "Floating Mesa" is intended to be an optical illusion. The, ahem, artist, put up a bunch of plywood on one side of this mesa and painted them sky-ish so, when looking from a distance, it looks like the top slice of the mesa is floating in the air. Riiiiight. See for yourself.
Ozymandias on the Plains (aka Legs of Amarillo)
A pair of giant legs paying homage to a poem, a king, and it would seem, socks. What an odd sight. We were going by it anyway so it was worth the stop but we certainly wouldn't go out of our way to visit it.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
A gem of a state park in the middle of cattle country. There are several trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The bonus is the snow cone food truck at the Lighthouse and Capital Peak trailheads. The temps were 110+ while we were there so we all (including Polly) enjoyed cooling down with a snow cone. Emergency crews were standing by on the weekend and rescued 3 people due to heat related incidents. All trails are dog friendly.
U.S Route 66 Sixth Street Historic District
Maybe we were there at the wrong time but this seemed quite a run-down area of mostly antique shops. Some of the brochures might suggest that you'll feel like you were on Route 66 in the mid 1950s or something like that but you'll have to use your imagination. Really, though, try to think of how Route 66 was such an iconic way to get from Chicago to Los Angeles and how it passed right through towns like this.
Hiking
Lighthouse Trail
This trail is in the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This is listed as a 5.8 mile out-and-back. It can get quite hot on this trail and the signs warn you of that many times. Take a lot of water and take your time. The views of the canyon from the titular rocks is fantastic. During our hike, Polly decided to take quite a few breaks in whatever shade she could find. We also had some rangers come by in a four-wheeler to check on people; they gave a couple a ride because one of them was having some difficulty. Super sweet (pun intended) bonus at the end - a snow cone! There is a small trailer that makes snow cones and has a few other snacks. Really hit the spot. I asked the young lady in the trailer how she likes the job and she said it gets a little boring during the week but weekends are non-stop snow cone making.
Biking
Capitol Peak Trail
This is a nice loop trail with a intermediate rating. We parked in the same parking lot as when we hiked the Lighthouse Trail (see above). As we were about to get started, a Park Ranger reminded us of the importance of water. It was 10am and already over 100F and he was expecting 120F by mid-afternoon. Someone on the Lighthouse Trail had just called 911 because they had broken their ankle (one story we heard) or were just overwhelmed with heat (totally believable).
Rojo Grande, Sunflower, Juniper/Cliffside Loop
When we got back from the Capitol Peak ride, the parking lot was packed with the cars of other hikers and bikers but also with emergency vehicles due to the 911 call I referenced above. There was no way to get our truck out, so we took a break and then headed off on this loop of three trails. Rojo Grande is rated beginner-intermediate, Sunflower is rated beginner, and Juniper/Cliffside is intermediate. Overall, a great loop ride.
MTB Project: Rojo Grande - Juniper/Cliffside - Sunflower
Food and Drink
Ye Olde Pancake Station
Have you noticed that we splurge on breakfast once in a while? Well, "splurge" may not be the right term because pancakes don't cost much. It is more about getting out to have breakfast somewhere interesting and pancakes are our motivation. This place, Ye Olde Pancake Station, was definitely unique. Not a chain. A place that resembles an old diner with waitstaff you can chat with.