The Remnant Beauty of the Past

While we have visited the Petrified Forest in Northeastern Arizona several times in the past, this was our first time to travel the entire route from its southern entrance to its northern gate.

The entire park encompasses about 346 square miles of desert shrubs, colorful badlands and the petrified remains of an ancient forest. Looking out at the inhospitable wind-swept landscape it’s hard to imagine this was once home to native peoples who grew corn as their main crop. Yet these people left their mark on the landscape in such places as Newspaper Rock. For those willing to hike deeper into the park, there are places of painted beauty most visitors never see. For the rest of us who like to stick close to the road, there is still plenty to see.

On the day we make our side-trip to the park, the weather was questionable. Driving east along Hwy 40 had it’s moments as a deluge of rain pounded the road, making visibility at times nearly impossible. This was the remnants of a storm that had passed through the Needles area just hours ahead of us, washing out portions of road and bringing rail travel to a halt. Like most summer storms, it was swift moving. By the time we reached Winslow the sun had returned.

As we made our way from Holbrook toward the Rainbow Forest Entrance, the road seemed to stretch out forever. Some 20 miles down the road, the entrance came into view. Visitors were greeted with a sign that seemed to be directed more at the bees than the people when read with a sense of humor. Just beyond the visitors center was the Giant Log Trail.

Of noteworthy points of interest with minimal hiking necessary were the Crystal Forest, the Agate Bridge and the Blue Mesa. The mesas were of particular beauty against the darkening skis.

Newspaper Rock gave visitors an elevated vantage point to view messages left by a people long gone. In this way we can enjoy a glimps of the past while protecting it for generations to come.

At the far north-eastern end of the park is the Painted Desert Inn, now a historical landmark. By the time we reached the Inn, outdoor photographs were impossible. It was summertime – no one thought to pack an umbrella. Live in learn. At least it was a warm storm.

Our second day ended in Gallup, New Mexico. Upon checking in to our roadside motel for the night, I asked the young girl at the check in desk if she could recommend a good place for dinner. We were looking for authentically New Mexican cuisine, someplace that offered fresh Sopapillas with the meal. She proudly suggested Anthony’s. The meal of Navajo Tacos, Wet Burritos, and Sopapillas drizzled in honey were amazing. And the margarits were a welcome way to relax after a 563-mile-long day’s travel.

Thank you all for coming along.