They called them Badlands. Early settlers couldn’t farm or ranch them, so what good were they? In time, however, people would come to see their beauty. This is a photo taken from the Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park. One reason I liked it was because the outcrop on the right resembles an early American. (Or possibly George Washington on a bad day? Maybe he was off to a rocky start.)
Note: I wrote this post over several days as we wander through the Southwest. We are now between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico— and the temperatures are still freezing!
It’s snowing outside and icy cold. The windchill factor is pushing the temperature to around O degrees F (17.7 C). Quivera the Van is not happy. I bought chains for her yesterday with the fervent hope that I won’t have to use them. I’ll do almost anything to avoid that nasty chore. Right now, that suggests heading south, even if it means skipping Mesa Verde National Park where we were going today. Getting there involves climbing up steep mountain roads that are now obscured by dark, threatening clouds. We aren’t terribly disappointed. We’ve already been there twice and we’ve seen a number of Anasazi ruins perched on cliffs over the past week (although not as impressive as Mesa Verde).
Even heading south from Colorado into New Mexico won’t avoid the freezing temperatures. A record-breaking blast of arctic air reaches all the way to the Mexican Border.
In my last post I shared a few of Peggy’s Grand Canyon photos. From there we went to Flagstaff, Arizona where we bought a new iPhone for Peggy and house battery for Quivera. Peggy was holding her warped, 6-year-old iPhone together with a plastic clip. The house battery was refusing to last longer than a few hours. While Peggy was busy playing with her new toy, I was left out in the cold changing the battery. It wasn’t hard. I just had to make sure that the positive and negative cables were hooked up to the right posts. But I tend to regard fixing things mechanical right up there with putting chains on in a freezing snowstorm. The good news is that I didn’t electrocute myself or burn up Quivera. More to the point, we now have power when we aren’t hooked up to electricity. I was quite proud of myself. Peggy was amazed.
Here’s Peggy with her clipped together iPhone. It really was time to buy a new one.
Flagstaff is a pleasant town with good restaurants and bookstores. It is nestled at the base of the San Francisco Mountains that are regarded as sacred by a number of Native American tribes in the area. Kachinas (Navajo spirits) are said to wander the mountains and do bad things to folks who find themselves lost up there, especially in snowstorms. I once spent a week by myself camping and hiking on the 12,000-foot Humphreys peak which is part of the range. I was quite careful. It isn’t smart to irritate a Kachina.
Our son Tony and his wife Cammie spent some time living in Flagstaff while he was flying tourists by helicopter over the Grand Canyon and into the Havasupai Indian Reservation down inside the Canyon. He flew Peggy and me into the reservation like the former multi-tour Marine pilot he was and put on the theme to Star Wars for inspiration. Imagination runs wild in this family.
Most of the areas we have visited so far on our Southwest journey deserve blogs on their own and will get them. For now, here is a sample of the photos Peggy and I have taken over the last few days of the incredibly beautiful and often intriguing Southwest. For example, have you ever sat on a hundred foot petrified tree? Think of these pictures as hors d’oeuvres. The main course and dessert will come later. Today I am going to feature Walnut Canyon National Monument, the Painted Desert, and the Petrified Forest National Park.
If you look way down toward the end of this 100 foot petrified tree, you will see a tiny me straddling the log. It wasn’t the softest seat I have ever had. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Walnut Canyon National Monument is a few miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona just off of Interstate 40. I’ve passed by it a dozen times over the years on my way somewhere else and never stopped. I was always curious, however. Peggy and I made it a priority, this time.
What I didn’t realize was that Walnut Canyon features cliff dwellings of the ancient Anasazi people of the Southwest who made their homes here around 1100-1200 CE. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)The varying erosion rates of different limestones provided a convenient shelf for the Anasazi to build their homes complete with ceilings and floors. By following the shelf around the canyon you can see a number of more homes. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)Peggy and I climbed down 273 steps to reach the cliff dwellings. This is a view of Walnut Canyon. below where the cliff dwellings were located. Trees added a bit of fall color.We were amused at this sign located at the head of the stairs going into the canyon.Here, I am sitting inside of one of the dwellings. This was more likely a storage room where things like water would be stored in large jars. The Anasazi had to climb down the steep walls of the canyon to fetch water. During the dry season, they had to store enough to last up to 100 days. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)This provides a view of a larger room that could accommodate a family. Weather permitting, it is assumed that people were outside a good deal of the time.A number of families might share a section of cliff in Walnut Canyon as this picture demonstrates. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)We had a pleasant walk along the trail while we were checking out the cliff dwellings. Then it was time to climb back up the 273 steps! Another visitor slipped into this picture. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
A hundred miles east of Walnut Canyon on I-40 we came to the Petrified Forest National Park. The road takes you through the Painted Desert, which is part of the Park. As we drove in, we were greeted by a raven. They seemed to be following us around. We’d met several up at the Grand Canyon. Actually, they gather where there are tourists, hoping for a hand out.
Ravens are clever birds. Had this guy figured out to wait where people had to stop? Plus he was doing what the Grand Canyon ravens do: Provide a photo-op and expect payment in food. I told him “No snacks” and he flew away in disgust, croaking a Poe-like “Never more!”I took this photo of the Painted Desert in the morning about 11:00 as we were driving into the Park.When we came back through in the afternoon, there was more color but still not as rich as it would be at sunset.The Petrified Forest National Park is the only national park that historic Route 66 passed through. This 1932 Studebaker in the park commemorates the highway.Ancient Americans also made their home in the Petrified Forest National Park. This one is known as the Puerco Pueblo since it is located along the Puerco River. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)Peggy caught these cottonwoods growing near the Puerco Pueblo, a tell-tale sign of water in desert country.We consider finding and photographing petroglyphs something of a hobby. This one of a large bird with a frog speared on its beak is almost iconic. It was located along with a number of others next to the Puerco Pueblo. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)This rather charming couple that caught our attention was found just down the road from the Puerco Pueblo on what is known as Newspaper Rock. (There are other newspaper rocks.) I also liked the skinny coyote off to the right. He reminded me of Wiley Coyote about to take off after Road Runner. Known as the Teepees for their structure, the various colors represent different environments down through the ages from deserts, to seas, to rivers and tropical forests.Driving off of the main road and up onto the Blue Mesa in the Park is a real treat. Seeing massive petrified logs resting on rocks would be reason enough to make the detour. A dry wash works its way off into the desert. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)I was captured by the beauty and unusual land formations of the area.Peggy and I followed a trail off of the Blue Mesa and into the canyon where I took a photo of her hiking for perspective. She was hoofing it. Peggy has always hiked fast and I don’t see any sign of her 69 years slowing her down!Peggy found this stump of petrified wood on our hike that provided a shark contrast to the blue grey of the canyon.I always enjoy slipping in a black and white rendition of a photo on my posts. This one was from the rim of the Blue Mesa looking down into the valley that Peggy and I hiked through.People primarily come to Petrified National Forest to see the petrified wood. No surprise there. And they aren’t disappointed. It is everywhere and in large quantities as this photo with Peggy demonstrates.This photo provides another perspective of how much petrified wood there is in the park. We were along a trail that leads through what is called the Crystal Forest. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)I was fascinated how faithfully the the bark was preserved on these ancient trees from millions of years ago.I’ll use this final photo by Peggy to wrap up our visit to the Petrified Forest National Park for now. The natural way that petrified wood splits provides beautiful views of the inner wood. And every one is different! We have several photos to prove it.
NEXT POST: I will feature photos from our trips into Canyon De Chelly and Monument Valley. And since I am finishing this post on Halloween, I decided to post this photo I took in Monument Valley.
I thought this monument looked skull-like enough to make it into my Halloween collection of rocks. Hope you enjoyed your ghostly encounters.
39 thoughts on “The Painted Desert, a Canyon of the Ancients, Rock Art, and Petrified Wood… The Southwest”
Seems as though our paths very nearly crossed, but we’re back home where it’s warm and comfy already. I remember seeing the Painted Desert with the Petrified Forest on a coast-to-coast journey back in 1978. Looks like you had a bit more color than I did on a very overcast day. Back then the Painted Desert was actually on the map along with the Petrified Forest. It seems to have lost billing since then.
I remember when it stood alone as well, Gunta. But what it lost in standing alone has been countered somewhat by its gaining in protection. I wanted to tell you that we took your advice at Canyon De Chelly and booked a private tour with Beauty Tours. Wonderful! Thank you. -Curt
Something weird happening with my reply to your comment. Looks like it went to reply to ralietravels. Oh well.
Hey, Ray is a good guy. 🙂
Our country has so much history wrapped up in it (especially for a young country). Our magnificent landscapes can compete with any other country. I thank you and Peggy for bringing all this to us – and yes – that was a perfect monolith to have for Halloween!!
We can’t get too much of that part of the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it in your next posts.
But our only November visit was cool enough to keep the crowds down but not freezing. In the meantime, we are having record heat in Florida.
It was cool you were able to enter the ruins in Walnut Canyon. There was a time when we went into the buildings at Mesa Verde, but the crowds got too large for them to continue to permit that
We also love the Southwest, Ray. It had been too long since we were last here. Record cold and record heat— Isn’t global warming fun? Today we are going up to Abiquiu to visit Georgia O’Keefe’s home and then over to Taos. Yesterday we were in Santa Fe. The weather is even predicting warmer weather. 🙂 –Curt
Good to hear about the better protection. It’s so sad to see places that have been vandalized for lack of it.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the Canyon de Chelly tour. It holds some very happy memories for me.
Did you have James as your guide, Gunta. A fascinating man who has led a very interesting life. –Curt
I’ve been scratching my head trying to remember the name, but your description certainly fit the guide we had. It’s an amazing place for those interested in Native history, the beauty of the Canyon, photography or simply absorbing the stillness.
Did he tell you the story of the folks who had to hike out of the canyon once when a storm came in? Told with an ominous storm blowing in as the river started rising. It was quite the adventure! 😀
Didn’t hear about the storm escapees, Gunta. Our main challenge was sand up to the hubs. You are absolutely right on the history, beauty, and silence. –Curt
Love the petrified wood, rather better than a stick of rock any day 😉 Has Peggy got one of the latest iPhones? If so, she can ditch her trad camera and also start videoing your journeys!
Much better, AC. Although the last three days we have been following in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keefe in New Mexico. Pretty amazing what she could do to old bones, rocks and sticks. 🙂 And yes, Peggy has one of the new iPhones. She’s catching some pretty good photos. Still, the lens isn’t up to her Canon. Soon, I’m sure. –Curt
Hey we were just there this summer! We even did the Blue Mesa trail as well, along with a couple others 🙂 Except it wasn’t quite so cold when we were there! Looks like a wonderful trip – great pictures, as usual.
The way you and your family capture the beauty of nature in your photos really shows us how breathtaking these places are. You all know just where to look. 🙂
It’s gorgeous country, made for photography, and geology, and for getting a sense of ancient peoples. Artists also have found it a place of inspiration. Peggy and I have spent the last three days visiting places where Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted. Special. –Curt
Great post Curt. I’ve been to Mesa verde (many many years ago, and the painted desert) but have not been to Petrified Forest of Walnut Canyon, both of which look amazing. One day . . . .
Alison
The Painted Desert, Walnut Canyon and the Petrified Forest are easy to do in a day, if you push it, although a couple of days allows for a more thoughtful and enjoyable experience, Alison. And the great thing about the region is you can add in the Grand Canyon… all within a couple of hundred miles of each other! –Curt
It’s fascinating Dave. Peggy and I have been there three times over the years and I visited it at least twice before Peggy. I even included it on my bike trek around North America. The crystal structure of the rocks lead them to break like they have been sawed. –Curt
Excellent Halloweeny rock there! Nice choice. I loved all the scenes here. It is very very much my kind of place to explore and now I’m certainly going to add it to my list of somewhat local road trips to do. Maybe in the spring when I’m tired of rain but it’s already warm in these area. The crystal formations in the petrified wood are unexpectedly beautiful. I thought the bird and frog looked like the stork bringing an unhappy baby to its new parents. Good luck to them. I thought of you when I photographed petroglyphs in Wadi Rum in Jordan.
I saw that rock and immediately thought Halloween. It was too good to pass up. Laughed about the stork and baby. I’ll have to remember that interpretation.
We must have taken 20 different photos capturing the beauty of the petrified wood. each one is different depending on the minerals.
I haven’t made it to your petroglyph photos yet. Must catch up. 🙂 Tomorrow we will be at the National Petroglyph Monument in Albuquerque. There are thousands…
Oh man, I am so jealous. Soak them up extra for me.
Will do. 🙂 Likewise, my friend.
just MAGNIFIQUE!!! ❤ lovely memories for us, too… we came to the US for the first time in 1983, for a month and we visited all California; then we lived in Houston, TX(NASA-area) for 5 years, and during our 5-6 week yearly vacation, we would visit the US, Hawaii and Alaska included… long story, short: America is beautiful!!! 🙂
It’s so hard to imagine you having to deal with batteries and chains, although I know those early (and late!) snows in the passes are a reality. Of course I’ve known of the Petrified Forest, but only in the most general sense. Your photos are terrific — appetizers, indeed — and if I ever make it to that part of the country again, that’s one area I’d like to see. I sense there may be more photos — hooray!
A few more photos (laughing). Our journey to date has produced more than 3000 photos between Peggy and me. Not to worry; you will see only the best. And yes, I intend to go deeper into each of the parks and monuments we have visited, Linda. Over the past few days we have taken a slightly different tact, visiting sites where Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams hung out painting and photographing in Taos, at Abiquiu, and Ghost Ranch. We have also continued our pursuit of the ancients and their rock art. –Curt
This part of the world is a marvel Curt and given the weather, I’m sure you don’t have crowds to struggle with. You and Peggy are hardy souls to be camping around Santa Fe this time of year. We were there in June and nearly froze our butts off camping at 8000 ft outside Santa Fe. But given the broad swings in temps, it’s tough to plan the best time to go. It was in the 30s in Santa Fe, and a few days later the temps were pushing 100 in Moab. Oh well – that’s the desert. ~James
Our small RV, Quivera, helps— especially when we have hookups. Temps dropping into the teens and below without electricity were a bit on the cool side, however. 🙂 And you are right about the crowds. –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
Seems as though our paths very nearly crossed, but we’re back home where it’s warm and comfy already. I remember seeing the Painted Desert with the Petrified Forest on a coast-to-coast journey back in 1978. Looks like you had a bit more color than I did on a very overcast day. Back then the Painted Desert was actually on the map along with the Petrified Forest. It seems to have lost billing since then.
I remember when it stood alone as well, Gunta. But what it lost in standing alone has been countered somewhat by its gaining in protection. I wanted to tell you that we took your advice at Canyon De Chelly and booked a private tour with Beauty Tours. Wonderful! Thank you. -Curt
Something weird happening with my reply to your comment. Looks like it went to reply to ralietravels. Oh well.
Hey, Ray is a good guy. 🙂
Our country has so much history wrapped up in it (especially for a young country). Our magnificent landscapes can compete with any other country. I thank you and Peggy for bringing all this to us – and yes – that was a perfect monolith to have for Halloween!!
Thanks, G. Peggy and I never get tired of wandering the highways and byways of North America. –Curt
Lucky for us out here!
🙂
We can’t get too much of that part of the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it in your next posts.
But our only November visit was cool enough to keep the crowds down but not freezing. In the meantime, we are having record heat in Florida.
It was cool you were able to enter the ruins in Walnut Canyon. There was a time when we went into the buildings at Mesa Verde, but the crowds got too large for them to continue to permit that
We also love the Southwest, Ray. It had been too long since we were last here. Record cold and record heat— Isn’t global warming fun? Today we are going up to Abiquiu to visit Georgia O’Keefe’s home and then over to Taos. Yesterday we were in Santa Fe. The weather is even predicting warmer weather. 🙂 –Curt
Good to hear about the better protection. It’s so sad to see places that have been vandalized for lack of it.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the Canyon de Chelly tour. It holds some very happy memories for me.
Did you have James as your guide, Gunta. A fascinating man who has led a very interesting life. –Curt
I’ve been scratching my head trying to remember the name, but your description certainly fit the guide we had. It’s an amazing place for those interested in Native history, the beauty of the Canyon, photography or simply absorbing the stillness.
Did he tell you the story of the folks who had to hike out of the canyon once when a storm came in? Told with an ominous storm blowing in as the river started rising. It was quite the adventure! 😀
Didn’t hear about the storm escapees, Gunta. Our main challenge was sand up to the hubs. You are absolutely right on the history, beauty, and silence. –Curt
Love the petrified wood, rather better than a stick of rock any day 😉 Has Peggy got one of the latest iPhones? If so, she can ditch her trad camera and also start videoing your journeys!
Much better, AC. Although the last three days we have been following in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keefe in New Mexico. Pretty amazing what she could do to old bones, rocks and sticks. 🙂 And yes, Peggy has one of the new iPhones. She’s catching some pretty good photos. Still, the lens isn’t up to her Canon. Soon, I’m sure. –Curt
Hey we were just there this summer! We even did the Blue Mesa trail as well, along with a couple others 🙂 Except it wasn’t quite so cold when we were there! Looks like a wonderful trip – great pictures, as usual.
Thanks MB. Pretty incredible, huh. And it seems several of my blogging friends have been wandering through the area. 🙂 –Curt
Thanks for the hors d’oeuvres. Look forward to the main courses.
A lot more hors d’oeuvres first, Peggy. 🙂
The way you and your family capture the beauty of nature in your photos really shows us how breathtaking these places are. You all know just where to look. 🙂
It’s gorgeous country, made for photography, and geology, and for getting a sense of ancient peoples. Artists also have found it a place of inspiration. Peggy and I have spent the last three days visiting places where Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted. Special. –Curt
Love them all!
Great post Curt. I’ve been to Mesa verde (many many years ago, and the painted desert) but have not been to Petrified Forest of Walnut Canyon, both of which look amazing. One day . . . .
Alison
The Painted Desert, Walnut Canyon and the Petrified Forest are easy to do in a day, if you push it, although a couple of days allows for a more thoughtful and enjoyable experience, Alison. And the great thing about the region is you can add in the Grand Canyon… all within a couple of hundred miles of each other! –Curt
Must be one hellacious chainsaw, to saw up those rounds…
(Actually, that place looks very cool. (Or hot, depending on the season.) I’d like to see it someday.)
It’s fascinating Dave. Peggy and I have been there three times over the years and I visited it at least twice before Peggy. I even included it on my bike trek around North America. The crystal structure of the rocks lead them to break like they have been sawed. –Curt
ha ha ha!
🙂
Excellent Halloweeny rock there! Nice choice. I loved all the scenes here. It is very very much my kind of place to explore and now I’m certainly going to add it to my list of somewhat local road trips to do. Maybe in the spring when I’m tired of rain but it’s already warm in these area. The crystal formations in the petrified wood are unexpectedly beautiful. I thought the bird and frog looked like the stork bringing an unhappy baby to its new parents. Good luck to them. I thought of you when I photographed petroglyphs in Wadi Rum in Jordan.
I saw that rock and immediately thought Halloween. It was too good to pass up. Laughed about the stork and baby. I’ll have to remember that interpretation.
We must have taken 20 different photos capturing the beauty of the petrified wood. each one is different depending on the minerals.
I haven’t made it to your petroglyph photos yet. Must catch up. 🙂 Tomorrow we will be at the National Petroglyph Monument in Albuquerque. There are thousands…
Oh man, I am so jealous. Soak them up extra for me.
Will do. 🙂 Likewise, my friend.
just MAGNIFIQUE!!! ❤ lovely memories for us, too… we came to the US for the first time in 1983, for a month and we visited all California; then we lived in Houston, TX(NASA-area) for 5 years, and during our 5-6 week yearly vacation, we would visit the US, Hawaii and Alaska included… long story, short: America is beautiful!!! 🙂
Didn’t know that about you, Melanie. Yes, there is incredible beauty for those willing to seek it! Thanks! –Curt
It’s so hard to imagine you having to deal with batteries and chains, although I know those early (and late!) snows in the passes are a reality. Of course I’ve known of the Petrified Forest, but only in the most general sense. Your photos are terrific — appetizers, indeed — and if I ever make it to that part of the country again, that’s one area I’d like to see. I sense there may be more photos — hooray!
A few more photos (laughing). Our journey to date has produced more than 3000 photos between Peggy and me. Not to worry; you will see only the best. And yes, I intend to go deeper into each of the parks and monuments we have visited, Linda. Over the past few days we have taken a slightly different tact, visiting sites where Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams hung out painting and photographing in Taos, at Abiquiu, and Ghost Ranch. We have also continued our pursuit of the ancients and their rock art. –Curt
This part of the world is a marvel Curt and given the weather, I’m sure you don’t have crowds to struggle with. You and Peggy are hardy souls to be camping around Santa Fe this time of year. We were there in June and nearly froze our butts off camping at 8000 ft outside Santa Fe. But given the broad swings in temps, it’s tough to plan the best time to go. It was in the 30s in Santa Fe, and a few days later the temps were pushing 100 in Moab. Oh well – that’s the desert. ~James
Our small RV, Quivera, helps— especially when we have hookups. Temps dropping into the teens and below without electricity were a bit on the cool side, however. 🙂 And you are right about the crowds. –Curt