LYFE IN TOW

I headline this post the way I do because getting to Arizona took a while. My original plan was to visit Arizona after New Mexico in the spring, but because of COVID, I sheltered in place in Texas for two months. I didn’t get back on the road until May, and by then, I deemed it too hot to enjoy Arizona comfortably. Here I was, six months later, finally getting there.

I entered the state in the northeast corner. Even though it was out of the way, I was keen on visiting - or at least seeing - Monument Valley. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nation, which is currently closed down due to COVID, so it wasn’t an option for me to go to the actual park. However, I could still drive to “Forest Gump Hill,” of which Monument Valley the backdrop.

If I were to have visited the park, I would have kept going straight on this road. However, because it was closed, combined with the fact that I wasn’t going in that direction, I turned around and headed back towards the road that would ultimately take me to Petrified Forest National Park.

It was a LONG drive to get there through the Navajo Nation - it seemed somewhat abandoned because nothing was open. Fuel stations weren’t even available. Also, I wanted to see a few other things in this area I couldn’t - Four Corners and Antelope Canyon. As I’ve said before, I can’t do everything - for one reason or another.

I had two options for camping at the south entrance of the park. Shockingly, they were both free, and both outside petrified wood gift shops. I opted for one - without really having a preference - and joined a few other campers. Or shall I say, “characters.” It was an eclectic group at the campground.

The entrance to the park was right there - this campground couldn’t have been more convenient.

Petrified Forest National Park started on the right foot with me because it’s dog-friendly. At the gate, I asked the ranger his recommendations for my day, and we were off.

The first stop was to the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center. The Giant Logs Trail followed, where we got our first glimpse of petrified logs. I was astounded by the colors and textures - unbelievable.

If you are curious, here is how petrified wood forms:

The Crystal Forest Trail warranted even more fascinating petrified wood. I found myself in awe, just staring at the colors and minerals in the wood-turned-rock.

I did not realize this, but “badlands” is a type of rock/land formation. I thought Badlands is only the name of the national park in South Dakota, but at Petrified Forest, there are “badlands.” Blue Mesa is a one-mile loop winding through purple, gray, and blue badlands.

The park’s northern end, north of the historic Route 66, is home to the Painted Desert Visitor Center and many beautiful overlook points. There is no doubt that the Painted Desert lives up to its name.

After only one day, we hit just about the entire park. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised: an easy park to navigate, small yet fulfilling, awe-inspiring, and dog friendly. Success.