We were a little ahead of schedule on our three day drive to visit the grandchildren in the Phoenix area. Thus, it was convenient to make an afternoon stop a the Petriefied Forest National Park, straddling I-40 in the northeastern part of the State. Here, 250 million years ago, a vast floodplain was crossed by many streams, surrounded by stately conifers, ferns and other plants and inhabited by crocodile-like reptiles, giants amphibians and the occasional dinosauer. Eventually, as the climate and continents changed and moved, a mix of silt, mud and volcanic ash buried logs, cut off oxygen and slowed the logs decay. Thru a complex "substitution" process, they were convered to silica and then quartz. They became logs of stone.
The history of the area was the typical story of discovery, amazement, exploitation, vandalism and eventual preservation of the remains. The rescue of parts of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest began in 1906 with President Theodore Roosevelt and culminated in 1970 with Congresses approval of the National Park. We took an 18 mile "auto tour" through the Park. Come on along and take a look.....
Ace photographer Barb working The Painted Desert.
Stark, yet majestically beautiful in its own way, is what I thought.........
"One of these days..." Travelled by this NP many times without stopping (except at a nearby trading post to pick up some rock samples). This whole region, including southern Utah and New Mexico is pretty special geologically speaking. I do love the panoramic views throughout this region. Glad you got to see it, if only briefly. Have you ever seen Death Valley? One of my favorite National Parks because I love geology!
ReplyDeletejust lovely. would love to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteThey are some wonderful photos. I like the colors and the textures.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely beautiful, but not in the traditional sense, for sure. I love these pictures, thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a place I'd like to visit! Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI spent a 2-3 days in Flagstaff, AZ a few years ago. One day I drove out to the meteor crater and continued west to the petrified forest (did the self-guided drive, stopped at the look-outs); then I had a mid-afternoon lunch at a small cafe looking out onto the painted desert. It was so incredibly beautiful with shades of pastel pink, coral, red and orange as far as the eye could see.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photographs. I remember first hearing about the petrified forest when I was in fourth grade. I was totally amazed and I still am.
ReplyDeleteBeen to the Flagstaff area and to the meteor crater...and I missed this?! Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI bet the scenery is beautiful at sunset with the golden colors that appear that time of day! Looks like a great place to stop:)
ReplyDeleteWe visited the Petrified Forest in June, and your pictures brought back some wonderful memories. The stark beauty of the Painted Desert is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI always like seeing the different shades of colors in layers of the rocks/mountains. It creates the most beautiful image to be sure!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
What a cool (or should that be hot?) place. I'd love to visit but your photos are the next best thing. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeletePetrified Forest. That's on historic Route 66. Hope you're catching some of it while out west.
ReplyDeleteWas there in '95. Went a wee bit out of my way to see it while on a tour of National Parks in the Southwest. Really glad I got to see it. Also found it interesting that park rangers asked to go through my trunk to make sure I hadn't taken anything. I happily obliged. Definitely worth checking out if in the area. Thanks for reminding me of some fond memories...
ReplyDeleteI'm just wandering about your blog and enjoying your beautiful photos. It's been such a long time since we passed through Arizona.
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