Canyon de Chelly

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is managed by the Navajo Nation in cooperation with the National Park Service. Our Navajo guide grew up in the canyon and showed us, among other things, Anasazi cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and his family farm. He skillfully drove us through deep sand in an Austrian military vehicle. It was an honor to get such an in depth glimpse of this otherwise hidden world. Autumnal cottonwood trees were a bonus.

Navajo Nation

The next segment of the journey took us deep inside the Navajo Nation, the largest sovereign entity within the United States. From Petrified Forest National Park it was mostly a long, straight drive to Chinle, AZ where we checked into Thunderbird Lodge - the only hotel located within Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The lodge was built in 1931, whereas the cafeteria is the old trading post, in use since 1896.

Route 66 marker

This jalopy off Petrified Forest National Park's main road indicates where the Old Route 66 used to run, just a few yards north of Interstate 40.

unflappable ravens of Newspaper Rock

Newspaper Rock is an area of Petrified Forest National Park where many petroglyphs are found. While they are too distant to photograph (an observation point provides binoculars) we encountered this pair of huge ravens in the parking area. They struck us as guardians of the rock, deep in conversation, and no amount of human activity made them budge - hence their "unflappable" status.

The Tepees revisited

Blue Mesa revisited

A gem of a trail, the high point of Petrified Forest National Park... We just had to explore it more. I wouldn't mind spending more time in this area... There are parts we did not see.

The Flattops

Another delightfully obscure feature of Petrified Forest National Park.

Giant Logs

The following day we went back to Petrified Forest National Park to check out the Giant Logs area... Plus some clues as what species these trees were, and what insects liked to burrow into them around 225 million years ago.

dinosaurs of Holbrook, AZ

Mesa Italiana Restaurant

Where we dined in Holbrook, AZ. As it was dark and freezing out, we were thankful that this place was conveniently located across the street from the hotel.

Crystal Forest

One of several places in Petrified Forest National Park to check out the petrified logs.

Agate Bridge

It's not every day you see a 110-foot long bridge made of petrified wood. Or is it?

Blue Mesa

The famous Blue Mesa, probably the most beautiful part of Petrified Forest National Park.

The Tepees

 

I can understand why they called this feature of Petrified Forest National Park "The Tepees". That's the famously blue Arizona sky overhead.

Painted Desert Inn

A classic Harvey House... designed by Mary Colter, who also designed the Grand Canyon's Desert View Watchtower.

Petrified Forest National Park

If I'm going to visit every national park, I better get cracking! It took me 57 years to set foot in this one... Not to be confused with the movie Petrified Forest with Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. Like the movie, this park has its subtle charms.