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| Park entrance |
During the drive from Payson to the Petrified Forest NP we hit a thunderstorm. At some point it started to rain strongly and a lot of thunders could be seen. We noticed that thunderstorms are different than in Switzerland. It seems like there are a lot more of them and you see them way better! It also seems to have them very close, so it's pretty impressive.
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| Petrified wood |
When we arrived in the park we first inspected the visitor center of the south entrance. There was an exhibit about fossils found in the area, fossils similar to the ones of dinosaurs but apparently belonging to the crocodile family. There also was a park ranger speaking about the geological transformations and the process of wood petrification. We then took a nearby trail showing petrified wood logs spread all over the place. There was not only petrified wood to see.
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| Blue Mesa |
We also saw the Blue Mesa, an area rich of bluish bentonite clay, which presents a spectacular view. Also there are the remains of an old village occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people between A.D 1250 and 1400 as well as ancient petroglyphs on rocks.
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| Petroglyphs on "Newspaper Rock" |
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| Route 66 |
On the north entrance we saw the painted desert, an area dominated by its red colors, and the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, which once was used by travelers on Route 66. Once finished the visit of the park, which was spectacular, we headed to Flagstaff, AZ where we spent the night. We took Interstate 40, but went off different times to take the historic Route 66 :)
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