Flying Over Palo Duro Canyon

Last Updated on May 18, 2017 by Jody Halsted

Few realize there is a big canyon in Texas. In fact, Palo Duro Canyon, just 30 minutes outside Amarillo, is the second largest canyon in the US.

And it is stunning.

Capitol Peak in Palo Duro Canyon

 
Dozens of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails cross the stunning terrain. As you rise with the mountains and fall with the river gullies, the canyon presents you with nature's art – a thousand times more stunning than anything man could create.

Hiking below Lighthouse Peak

 
But my most exhilarating moments at Palo Duro Canyon came, not when I was hiking the trails, but when I was actually soaring over the canyon.

I allowed myself to be strapped into an absurdly uncomfortable harness and suspended hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. Not a small feat for someone who is terrified – absolutely terrified- of both heights and falling to her death. In fact, you can hear my fear as I make my way to the top of the stand. I couldn't even pretend to be brave. Above the wind you can hear my eldest tell me “It isn't that far, Mom,” just before she takes off, the first to fly across the canyon. Pushing the fear aside, I walked off the platform and enjoyed the exhilarating- and too short- ride across the canyon.

It's as close as I'll likely come to flying (without an airplane) and I am so glad I didn't let my fears keep me from such an incredible ride.

Palo Duro Zip Line website

Do you try new (and terrifying) experiences on vacation? What fears have you pushed aside to try to new activities?

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10 Comments

  1. WOah!!!! I’d love to soar above the canyon but I’m be freaked out too! I hope I’d push through like you did because it looks like an amazing experience

  2. Oh wow, that looks amazing! And nope, I didn’t know about that canyon.

    I’m trying to get back to white water kayaking now that the “kids are out”, I find myself constantly terrified and it’s kind of frustrating as I used to feel so comfortable with it. But we’ll see, we have babysitter organised and I’m soon off to Italy to go kayaking – for two weeks!

    1. I think kids make you evaluate your activities… like “What if something happens to me? How will the kids handle it?” Have a great trip! Kayaking is something I’ve never done…

  3. You are so daring! I like to try new things, but kids are still small, and I am a bit of a sissy too so my last daring thing would have been letting hundreds of fish nibble my feet in a Sri Lankan river…

    1. I definitely wouldn’t call myself daring (anymore). But the minute my girls heard me say zipline, they wanted to go. I couldn’t let them down. 🙂

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