Monday, April 4 we gas up (we get a small discount on gas here at the Mobil station because we are staying at Meteor Crater RV Park) and head east on I-40, heading towards Petrified Forest National Park, which also includes the Painted Desert. We stop in Holbrook to check out the dog park. It’s just a fenced area with dry grass and a fake fire hydrant, but the dogs get a break from the ride.
Then we drive on to the National Park.
I’m making the pictures a bit larger today because there is so much detail to be seen in some of them….and I’ve got free internet. 🙂
What is unusual about this national park is that dogs are allowed on all the trails!
The first place I stop is the visitor center, so that I can get a little education. Apparently about 216 million years ago this area was hot and humid and green! These very trees died and fell into a river. There, buried under layers of silt, mud, sand and volcanic ash, the mineral laden ground water percolated through the layers, carrying silica from the volcanic ash and other trace minerals. The absorbent dead wood became saturated with these minerals. The silica, or quartz crystals slowly (and I do mean slowly!) bonded with the cells of the trees, replicating the organic material in perfect detail. Eventually, silica replaced the wood material. Now the petrified forest is not made of wood, but stone. *
The colors represent different minerals. For instance red is iron. This piece was in a store and the price is in the upper right corner. $7000!
Time, and the elements turned wood to stone.
Trees that lived over 200 million years ago. It’s hard to wrap my mind around that.
Who cut the wood? It was the weight of the earth over the years. All the weight crushed and broke the log. Silica naturally breaks on a clean angle.*
More amazing colors!
This park also includes petroglyphs….
And ancient dwellings.
Traveling farther south we come to the Painted Desert area of the park. This day in the desert has been all about color!
Then we come back to our little home…
At Meteor Crater RV Park.
And find more colors in nature…brought on by spring.
And the day ends with this….
*Information from “Giant Logs Trail Guide” published by the National Park Service
Wandering Spirit 
Thank You!
Your welcome!😊
Wow! Beautiful pictures Micky. Am so looking forward to getting out there! Amazing area for history and natural beauty! Glad you are feeling better! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Looking forward to seeing you too Mary! I do love this area…anywhere around Flagstaff…so beautiful and so much to see.
WOW! Beautiful! Will put that on my list of destinations. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sharron, you are welcome! A worthy destination indeed!
So interesting! This is now on my travel list.
I’m glad it is Annie, I know you will enjoy it!
Wow! Incredible colors and textures. Beautiful sunset!
So many beautiful sunsets out this way Mary! People who think the desert is boring haven’t seen much of it….it’s anything but!
Wow..that is all absolutely beautiful!! I want to be there! Thank you so much for sharing both the pics, and the information. Do you know if there are any boondocking areas nearby? Finally decided which new home I want…it’s a Rockwood Ultra Light..23ft. What do any of you think of that size..too big?? Should have it at the end of this month. Now looking for truck to pull it. So..I’ll be joining ya’ll soon!! Thanks again for sharing your travels.
You will be here Pat! Isn’t it exciting!
No I don’t think 23 feet is too big…if that’s what you have decided on it will be perfect for you. Let us know what kind of tow vehicle you end up with. Some thoughts…. whatever your tow weight is, (loaded) get something that will tow substantially more than that, just to be on the safe side. Better to have a little extra power than not quite enough. Also getting something with an excellent tow package is worthwhile!
Looking forward to seeing you on the road!
What is the difference in tow packages?? I thought a tow package was a tow package! Oh my gosh…I hope I don’t screw things up.. I was thinking an F-250 or comparable.
Pat I missed answering your question about boondocking near Petrified Forest National Park. As far as I know, there may be a place on 180 SE of Holbrook called Chrystal Forest Giftshop. They have…or had…a campground there with 15 sites, free for 4 nights.
All I know about the tow package is what I learned when I bought my F150. There was a tow package and a delux tow package. I think….the only difference was that the delux version had bigger side mirrors. I love them. I think with Ford you will get a good tow package. I think there are other companies who’s tow package may be a hitch and some wiring….
THANKS for taking us along Micky! Feel like I have been there now and it’s just awesome! And..love the way you set the mood for the end of the day with your photos.
You are welcome Andrea. I so enjoy taking you along!
Sunsets are such perfect closers, aren’t they?
So beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Hi Bo! Good to have you along, thanks for commenting.
Just gorgeous, the petroglyphs are amazing. I’ve never seen one so geometric as that second picture. Meanwhile, in Mendocino, the ocean is gorgeous and peaceful 😌🎂
Oh Maureen you are in Mendicino! Such a beautiful area. Walk around the gardens at Stanford Inn…
And they have the best vegan food in their restaurant that one can imagine!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Love your photos and accompanying commentary Micky! Even though I’ve lived in AZ for over 10 years I’ve not spent any time in these spots-you’ve inspired me to check them out. thanks!
Hi rox7flyer, and welcome to this blog! I’m happy to have you here😀.
I’m really glad you are inspired to check out some of these places. I know it happens…we tend not to be ‘tourists’ near where we live sometimes. But really, it’s great to know the local history, and it can help you appreciate your home place even more. Enjoy!
Thanks for the reply- now I know I finally figured out how to comment to your blog ;-). I just don’t know how to change it to my actual name and not my “Google” name!
Roxanne
Hi Roxanne! Gosh, again I didn’t realize it was you! Your name is up there now so you must have figured it out. 😀. You would think they would make these kind of things easier…more user friendly!