The first stop of our September 2018 road trip was Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook in Arizona. I’ve had this park on my radar for a while and we had intended to pay it a visit when we stayed in Sedona in March this year, but it turned out to be a 2 1/2 hour drive and since it is one of the few parks that actually closes at night* we abandoned the idea.
September 2018 Road Trip
Petrified Forest Potpourri
These are the remaining photos from our visit to Petrified Forest National Park. It is clear to me that I must return to do some cross-country hikes, and further explore the badlands of Blue Mesa…
Blue Mesa, Petrified Forest National Park
Two sets of images from the Blue Mesa loop trail at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
Canyon de Chelly – White House Ruin
Photos from an afternoon hike to White House Ruin at the bottom of Canyon de Chelly National Monument near Chinle in Arizona.
Further Canyon de Chelly Impressions
Here are some further impressions from Canyon de Chelly National Monument, photographed the day after our late afternoon and early evening hike down to White House Ruin. We were up early, brewed some coffee in our motel room, and drove out just a little bit along the south rim of the canyon, in order to take in the views from some of the first vista points, and in this beautiful morning light.
Shiprock Pinnacle, New Mexico
Ever since I saw Mitch Dobrowner’s “Shiprock Storm” photograph, this astonishing landmark in north-western New Mexico’s San Juan County has had a somewhat mythical draw on me. It is an ancient lava plug and lies pretty much in the middle of nowhere – the area is only very sparsely populated. The nearest town, a little less than 20 miles away, is named “Shiprock” as well – to avoid confusion, the rock itself is sometimes also referred to as Shiprock Pinnacle. It was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1975, and our September 2018 road trip would finally bring us to this place.