Skip to main content

Southwest Vacation - Arizona Part 1, the journey to Flagstaff

Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM

The trip from Albuquerque to Flagstaff took us straight through The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park.  We were able to get out of the car and walk across the desert, collecting bits of petrified wood that were scattered all over the place.  Brennan got a little freaked out when a dust devil suddenly sprung up and blew right into us, but thankfully it didn't last very long.

Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM

The ground felt springy because it was super dry volcanic ash particles, which are even tinier than clay or silt.  We couldn't leave footprints unless we tried really hard.  It was interesting.  And very windy and dry.

Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM

Tristan brought back quite a few petrified tree bits... in his carry-on, which we found out about in the security line lol.  They let him keep them all, even the super sharp axe-looking one.  Thanks for understanding, TSA agent! ;)

Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM
Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM

Noah, Tristan and Josh were happy to get out and climb all over cliffs and rocks.  Brennan and I kept away from the edges and admired the new flora and fauna.  So many cacti!  The rest of the drive was gorgeous as the landscape slowly became more mountainous and green, mixed among fields of dried black lava.

Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM Painted Desert and Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque NM

There were tons of trains moving through the area.  Volcanic areas are routinely mined for things like Uranium.  We passed right through Grants Mining District where there are still billboards pleading the case for forgotten uranium miners on tribal lands. 

Walnut Canyon, Flagstaff AZ  2018-05-30_11-27-06

When we got to Flagstaff, our friends were there waiting for us at the airbnb.  The rest of the day we spent catching up and playing games, and loosely planned our trip to the Grand Canyon the next morning.

Our next chapter: Arizona Part 2, the Grand Canyon

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hurricane Sandy

This will be a gleefully uneventful post, but I thought I should at least inform everyone of our whereabouts during Frankenstorm. On Friday the landfall predictions were further south, which had the eye passing near our tiny town after obliterating Dover, DE.  We happen to be surrounded by water.  The Patuxent River on one side, Chesapeake Bay on the other, plenty of swamps and creeks in between.  Not a good prospect. Josh and I had gone out that night to try and secure supplies and already, there were no batteries or flashlights.  We also don't have a grill and thought "we'll try Lowe's tomorrow"I mean, most people already own grills... right?  Everything in our house is run on electricity (including the water pump for the well) except for the fireplace.  I don't know what builders are thinking when they do that.  I at least want a gas stove and water heater!  So, anyways.  We got a few hours of sleep before trying to brave the crowds...

Germany

Noah and I are having a great time out in Germany with Josh. The house we're sharing is amazing and the people are also amazing. The only thing we don't have is our own kitchen, but like I said, the people who live here (Josh's friends) are amazing so it's not even an issue. I've been cooking for everyone to try to thank them in some way. We haven't been to many places yet. It's hard to go anywhere with a baby who has a naptime and a husband who has a job. However!! We managed to make it out to Heidelberg to see the castle. It was awesome. the walk up to the castle mmmm castle Heidelberg down below Christmas is huge here. They've even got Christmas markets out in the parking lot in front of WalMart. We've been to Luisenplatz a few times in downtown Darmstadt to visit all the Christmas shops they have set up. It's like a Christmas flea market. Thus far all I've blown money on is candy... mmmm German candy is so delicious. It's...

Hiking on the Guadarrama Trail

As promised yesterday, I actually left the house and went on a hike with Mama C and Goober!  YAY! I was a bad Mommy and ill prepared to shield us from the hot Spanish sun so we all have a touch of sunburn.  Whoops.  It was fun though.  OK so here's where we began our journey.  You can see the bridge between the roundabout and the little house with a red roof (which is a restaurant).  All the cylindrical buildings were a plant nursery.  We walked over the bridge and past the nursery where we crossed the street and then started up the dirt path.  The other little building is literally a Gypsy Keep. Here's what it looked like from the road... and it was so ridiculously creepy, yet fascinating.  I don't know why there is always tons of junk in trees around gypsy places.  There was a gutted van in the backyard, a stroller jammed into a wall, shorts in the trees.  We both wanted to trespass, but the kids would have inevitably fal...