Palo Duro Canyon
Occasionally, the Mickey Mouse Gang planned and scheduled a reunion to refresh our wonderful friendships and have a little fun. This story briefly describes the reunion at Amarillo, Texas and Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon
In 1998, I had accumulated about 20 free room nights at the Holiday Inn Express because of my travels to Houston on a weekly basis with my job for the past year. We decided to try to organize a Mickey Mouse Gang reunion with the free rooms. So Pam and I drafted a plan to book rooms in Amarillo and visit Palo Duro Canyon and sent it to the Mousers. Everyone could go so we booked rooms on Friday, and Saturday nights in July for all. We also invited Buffalo Bob, Brenda and my daughters,Tamara and Kristi, and Carl (Kristi’s new husband). On Friday night we went out to a Honky Tonk in Amarillo, Texas, called the Quarter Horse Saloon. They had a good band playing that night, so we enjoyed the band, did some two stepping, and sucked down a few cool ones. We called it a night pretty early because we had a big day planned for Saturday.
Around our table l- r Buffalo, Brenda, Bill, Sue, John, Sandy, and Jeans hair honky tonking at the Quarter Horse Saloon in Amarillo, Texas. Old Buffalo and Bill are sporting their Tonker hats.
On Saturday morning, we had a free hot breakfast with the room at the motel. We made a few antique malls and got lunch at a hamburger place. the girls took one vehicle and continued to shop, while the guys went through the Panhandle-Plains Museum in Canyon, Texas about 20 miles away. For dinner we all met at Bennigans Restaurant, which was adjacent to our motel. It happened that it was Buffalo Bobs birthday, so we had a good meal and a few drinks while we celebrated with the Buffalo at Bennigans.
At Bennigans l-r Dale, Buffalo, Paul, Jean, and John at the number two Mouser table. Nice Hat John.
At Bennigans l-r Howard, Sandy, Sue, Brenda, and Bill at the Number one Mouser Table. I think Howard is completely blocking Jane out of the picture. Upstaged Jane again. I think I see her jeans just behind Howard.
Along about 6 PM, we headed for the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon to watch the outdoor production of “Texas.” The show was truly fantastic.
At the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon l-r Dale, Carl, Sandy, Kristi, Bill. Pam,…..Sue, John, Jean, Paul, Jane, and Howard. The show “Texas” was great.
On Sunday morning, we had scheduled a wagon ride to the rim of Palo Duro Canyon followed by a big breakfast cooked on an open fire at the canyon rim. The ride was a little rough, but the food was excellent. They had some real old cowboys out there cooking for us. After breakfast, they had a cow chip throwing contest which Tamara won. Dale said he got a crumbly cow turd to throw so he couldn’t get any distance on his toss. Pam and Tamara also got to Lasso a plastic calf with some help from the cowboys. The view from the rim of the canyon was breath taking.
The Gang on the rough Wagon trip on the way to the rim of Palo Duro Canyon. Howard could not find a way to block Jane out on this shot.
The Cowboy breakfast cooks at the rim of Palo Duro Canyon.
Part of the Gang enjoying the cowboy breakfast at the rim of the canyon. Ummmmmm Good.
Tamara working the Lasso getting ready to rope the calf in the fore ground. Pam in the shade checking out the cowboy butts.
Pam trying to master the Lasso with Tamara shouting directions to her and a cowboy laughing.
Tamara sporting her Crap Tossing Champion badge and certificate. Sorry Dale we know you gave it your best.
Carl and Kristi on the Rim of the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, Texas.
The Mickey Mouse Gang had a good reunion with a lot of catching up time. Buffalo, Brenda, Kristi, Carl, and Tamara were honorary Mousers on this trip. There were a few other people there that didn’t really fit into our group so I have omitted them from this story.
Thanks for reading Palo Duro Canyon, Hawg Jaw Bill