I came across a question from a source I can’t recall because it was so many years ago but has remained stored in my grey matter ever since. The question?
What made the ‘Petrified Forest’ so scared?
Yeah… You’re right… Lame…
We have a National Treasure in Arizona, that I’m guessing isn’t a gem that the majority of people have visited, or even knew existed. While the Grand Canyon has millions checking it out each year, The Petrified Forest gets several hundred thousand. I was one of those who had passed the entrance exit off Interstate 40 numerous times without ever taking the time to see this isolated gem in the desert southwest.
That changed this year. After calling the National Park, the Ranger I spoke with provided a ton of information for me and she suggested I begin the visit from the southern entrance instead of the main entrance off I-40. I think she misunderstood where I was at the time of the call, as I had to drive west past the northern entry gate to Holbrook, then south to that entrance and when I finished driving the 28 mile loop, I was back to I-40 and had to retrace the miles to get to Holbrook again and then to Winslow and beyond.
Nonetheless, it was a fascinating drive, as I stopped at numerous cutouts and overlooks to snap a few pictures, well, about 50 total. I am posting a number of them and will say that pictures do not do the scene I witnessed justice. Before I post them below, I will say that it was well worth the time I spent there that day. While I didn’t get an answer to that question I posed earlier, I did hear another statement that will stay with me as I continue my journey around the country checking off my bucket list items.
There was a cutout that led up to an overlook where a family was gathered to view it. As I approached I heard one young woman ask her Grandfather if he wanted to stay and take it in longer. He looked at her and said, “No… Once you’ve seen it… You’ve seen it…’
I’m sure I’ll adopt that phrase for use a lot in the coming days, weeks, months… and hopefully… YEARS!!
