Caprock Canyons

This spring, before the summer heat began, me and a small group of friends went to Caprock Canyons State Park for a few days of camping and hiking in the Palo Duro Canyon, in the Texas panhandle.

We spent the first night at a car camping site near the prairie dog town, where we could watch prairie dogs play day and night amid the slowly roaming bison herd.

Southern Pains Bison roam the park freely
Black-tailed Prairie Dog on the lookout for any sign of danger

The next day we packed up our gear and hiked a mile to a primitive site, from which we did several day hikes: into the Fern Cave for a refreshing picnic, up along the Haynes Ridge for views, and the entire Lower Prong Trail which cuts through the middle of the park.

Our campsite at the North Prong Primitive Campground
Enjoying an afternoon snack and the cool air near Fern Cave
Taking in the views along Haynes Ridge

Each hike was uniquely challenging and beautiful, and all of them offered awesome views of the pinkish-orange-red rocks and hoodoos that surrounded us. And at night we were treated to a blanket of stars, with the Milky Way in sight.

Prickly Pear Cacti were beginning to bloom
A Collared Lizard delighted me with his beautiful colors

This is the third time I’ve been to Caprock Canyons State Park and I keep finding reasons to come back. Looking forward to next time!

Don’t fence me in!

Paintings Inspired By Caprock Canyons

Caprock Canyons, acrylic on canvas, 30″x70″
Bison, acrylic on canvas, 30″x30″
Caprock Canyon Prickly Pear, acrylic on wood panel, 30″x40″
Cactus Love, acrylic on canvas, 30″x30″
Topographic Map of Caprock Canyons State park, acrylic on wood panel, 6″x6″

In The Studio

Texas Critters Bandanas are back, and in a few new colors: denim blue, classy black, and burnt orange. I love these cotton bandanas and decided the critters should be stickers as well:

You can find these at Dear Diary Coffee and ArtUs Co, while supplies last

Joshua Tree art prints are now available, as well as one of a climber on the famous Serrator route in Utah:

Colorful painting of a joshua tree plant in a desert with rounded orange rocks in the background.
A colorful painting of a woman climbing a crack in a red rock with a blue sky.

Thanks for following my journey!