Hey all y'all, what is now named the Palo Duro Canyon is the location of the first ever Thanksgiving service in the United States.
'The Llano Estacado was first described by Francisco V?zquez de Coronado in a letter to the king of Spain in October 20, 1541: "I reached some plains so vast, that I did not find their limit anywhere I went, although I travelled over them for more than 300 leagues . . . with no more landmarks than if we had been swallowed up by the sea . . . . there was not a stone, nor bit of rising ground, nor a tree, nor a shrub, nor anything to go by." '
More than 80% across the staked plain, llano estacado, those stakes were the only way to travel in a straight line by leapfrogging the several stakes in a straight line for the length of the column. Near deaths door, near where the town of Floydada is today, a forward scout spotted a jackrabbit and then a game trail headed northerly. Following the rabbit in hopes of finding a spring he found the game trail. It led to the southern escarpment of the canyon and then its stream and forage. Coronado was informed and immediately headed for the canyon. After making camp, he ordered one of the several padres traveling with them to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for God's Providential Leading to both water, forage . . .and life.
I traveled across the canyon two or three roundtrips a year for five years via Silverton to Claude on my way from Coleman (52 miles SE of Abilene) to the Episcopal Conference Center on Cherry St in far NE Amarillo, just about 350 miles one way. Not the fastest way these days, but some of the greatest views of God's country all the way! Don't get too thirsty getting there --it's still the Great American Desert.
If there's a chance for me to be with y'all, I will. It would be a great way for me to give thanks in a place very special to me for my 21 years in this framily that's the RV Forum. I'll bring the bread, wine and liturgical vestments too.
Good on ya, Mate!
