10/29/2020
It has been about 20 years since were were last here and since COVID has put an end to most travel, a day trip is perfect.
Some areas have been updated since our last visit with new signs and paths.
As usual we took a few million picture only a small portion will you have to endure.
Most folks would probably think dirt and sand are just dirt and sand, but they would be wrong. Here the various levels of sandstone have different colors depending on when they were deposited.
Since I know you are just as fascinated by this as we are, I am putting them together for one long view.
No, I did not put up all the pictures we took, just a few dozen. I do have some control after all.
Love the layers of sandstone, each from a different era in time
Note the reddish hue
Then there are the mauve colors
I am just sort of in it for scale. That is a really, really steep drop-off next to me
I always love the gray and white formations
Notice that one rock formation sitting out there
These are The Teepees.
I think this is a good formation to see the various layers
And pillow puffs. Not in the teepees, just another lookout along the road.
The wood is probably the main attraction for most people. Lets face it, petrified forests are just not that abundant so the formations are really special.
You can see pieces of petrified tree trunks from many of the road side vistas, but some special formations are highlighted in places like The Long Logs and Giant Logs.
We tried to get to all of these, as well as admire the many "no name" logs scattered throughout the park.
Stopping along the road - look way off in the distance
This is that big log in the first picture.
What the logs look inside
Agate Bridge
The log spans a gully, and thankfully it has support
Or it would look like this
And eventually fall apart
Quartz crystals are often seen in the logs
I am actually right at the end - gives you and idea of the length
Our old friends the Shadow People followed us - they have been gone for a while so good to know they do not have COVID
We liked this balancing rock
We do not think these paved walkways were here when we last visited. They are nice though.
Pieces precariously laying along an rim over a valley.
Another long long in pieces
One area we were fascinated by was Blue Mesa - some of the colors are a dusty blue in the right light.
This is another area we do not remember having a paved path, but we think it is a good idea since the valley floor is full of beautiful sandstone formations.
The entire loop is only a mile, but well worth the trip down.
There is a nice walk way on top and a viewing area.
View from the overlook
Then we headed down
I am in it for scale. Yes, it is quite large
We thought this was so pretty and delicate looking
Wish I could give you scale but I couldn't get close.
A petrified log. It looks like it washed down the gully in eons past
This is a beautiful specimen. It is actually close to 5 feet tall.
Going back up. The trip up can make you breath hard, so they put a bench part way up just in case you need to sit
We drove from one end to the other and really enjoyed it. Lots of little extra things to see and quite a bit of history as well.
For instance Petrified Forest is the only National Park that had a highway through it. Famous Route 66.
Newspaper Rock is an area with petroglyphs.
Puerco Pueblo is the site of anceltral puebloan homes dating between 1100 to 1400.
Not to be forgotten, ravens. Those amazing birds are always so much fun to watch.
An omage to Route 66
It is an old Cadillac Grill
From modern to ancient. Petroglyphs
Some of these are quite unique
Archeologists think this was a significant area for ancient people
This is most unusual
The Puerco Pueblo ruins
Excavations have been very careful. It was a very large site
Only a small portion of the once thriving comples
Ravens - yes we love ravens
You Looking At Me Kid?
