Route 66 Petrified Forest

Route 66 Vacation

Day 4 – Petrified Forest

Dennis and I finished up viewing the Painted Desert tho I don't think one can ever finish viewing it. There is so much beauty and with the sun and clouds it is an ever changing view.

We drove to the other side of Route 66, yet within the same park, Petrified Forest National Park, to see the Petrified Forest side.

I loved these hills with the different layers!!

“Over 13,000 years of human history can be found at Petrified Forest. From prehistoric ancestors to the Civilian Conservations Corps, many humans have left their mark in this park.

Ancient people may not have understood that the petrified wood around were actually fossilized logs, and instead had their own beliefs. The Navajo believed the trees were the bones of Yietso, a great monster their ancestors slew. The Paiute believed the logs were the arrow shafts of Shinuav, their thunder god. Yet, giant pieces of petrified wood lie scattered revealing a colorful timeline. Visitors can actually get an up close look at the quartz that replaces much of the wood tissue about 200 million years ago. “

For more from the article click this link.

I actually enjoyed the views on this side of the park better than those on the other side. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Painted Desert but loved the Petrified Forest part more. I look forward to coming back one day and viewing it when we aren't needing to move on as quickly as we did. I could have spent a full day just in this national park. If you are a Senior, you can buy a lifetime pass to all the National Parks for just $10, and we found out later that if you have a handicap placard you can get the pass for free. We spent the $10 but could have saved the money. Oh well, it is well worth the $$. I am hoping we will use it often.

I especially enjoyed the petrified logs. Look at the magnificent colors in them.

Look at the beautiful colors.

Longest Petrified Log (or at least I think so :-))

Petrified logs on the hill

Since I have shared so many pictures from the Petrified Forest, I will finish Day 4 on the next blog. There was just so much to see on this trip. Heck, I took 1,211 pictures with just one camera alone, and we had 3. OK Dennis and I both love taking pictures.

Until later,
Charyl
Charyl's Web Page