Finding camping sites while heading north through AZ has been a little challenging. We use a couple of camping apps to help. On Tuesday I put in a search for an area near the Petrified Forest. The Petrified Forest Gift Shop kept coming up and I figured the app wasn’t working. As it got later in the day and with no campsites secured, I clicked on the link and found there actually was camping at the gift shop, but only a minimal amount for first come first serve. We were fortunate to get a spot for 2 nights.
Our campsite was right at the entrance to the Petrified Forest so we spent Wednesday exploring the park.
Tom, once again, fell in love with our surroundings. I did too, but I’m less demonstrative. (the Irish in me)
There are several areas of interest in the park and we saw them all. Of course our pictures don’t translate the beauty we saw. You truly have to experience it to be amazed at God’s creation.
The petrified wood is abundant throughout the park, but we were most awed by rock formations, like Blue Mesa,
the tepees,
and our favorite, The Painted Desert
At the end of the park is the Painted Desert Inn, an historic inn turned museum. It was very picturesque with the painted desert in the background. I think Tom especially liked it ‘cause we were able to get ice cream there. Don’t be surprised if you see some version of the Inn in a future painting. I loved it and took many pictures.
We’re off to hopefully explore Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez, CO for the next couple days.
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