RV There Yet?

Today I was able to get out and take a hike again as the winds died down from yesterday. Yesterday the winds were gusting up to 30mph so unless I wanted to eat a lot of dust, I stayed inside. Now here on the reservation we are only allowed in designated areas, so it limits me to two hiking trails that I can use. Therefore, the photos I took today will look similar to the ones I posted previously just from different angles. Some nice white clouds moved in today and provided a nice contrast in the sky.

Recently Barbara and I passed through Winslow, Arizona and decided to take some time to hang out with a couple of members of my favorite rock band. However, the guys seemed a little “Stiff”. Take a look!

Yesterday Barbara and left Show Low and headed north to the Kaibab Paiute Reservation. Yesterdays drive was probably the most difficult I’ve ever experienced. The winds were blowing ninety degrees to our direction of travel most of the day at 40+mph. On top of that highways 89 and 89A, in northern Arizona, are some of the worst roads we have ever experienced. They make California’s roads look pristine. It was everything I could do just to keep our truck and trailer out of a ditch. Well we made it and will be staying on the reservation for the next week. When we arrived yesterday afternoon, the young lady that checked us in, told us of some hiking trails on the reservation. So today I took a hike to check them out. The scenery here is great. The RV park sits up high so you can see a long distance and the rocks a very colorful. Check it out.

Yesterday Barbara and I traveled north to the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Park. These two parks overlap in many places and the route we took, took us through the best parts of both parks. We saw a lot of beautiful scenery along with Indian petroglyphs and ruins, petrified trees, old route 66 and I was able to take several vigorous hikes. The weather cooperated too. The only downside was the Tunnel fire burning just northeast of Flagstaff that produced a lot of smoke and haze.

The petrified trees began their lives approximately 220 million years ago on the supercontinent of Pangea at the late stages of its existence. At that time this area was just above sea level and a dense rainforest like the ones seen today in Central America. Shortly after, Pangea began to break apart and what is now known as North America moved north from 10 degrees above the equator to it’s current location. These trees are now 25 degrees further north than they were when they began their journey. During their journey north these trees died and were buried. During their burial their cells were replaced with silica to form the tree like agate that is known as petrified trees. Approximately 100 million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period, this area began to rise creating the Colorado Plateau. This caused the area to change from a rainforest to the arid desert we see today.

Last Friday Barbara and I made a return trip to the Grand Canyon. This time we drove from Williams to the south rim and then headed east to the Desert View Watchtower. As usual, I gave Barbara a geology lesson along the way. The watchtower is visible from the river a mile below as is the El Tovar Hotel. These are the only landmarks that are visible from below until you get to the west end of the canyon, an area known as the Grand Wash Cliffs, where the Grand Canyon Skywalk is located. Barbara and I have visited the canyon numerous times and it never disappoints. One of the most beautiful sights we have ever seen. In fact every time I see the Colorado River below I get goose bumps. Barbara believes it’s because I want to go back again. She’s right, I would love to make a return trip to the river. Only time will tell. But for now I hope you enjoy my photos below. These photos didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped because the forest service was doing a controlled burn in the area, so there is a lot of smoke and haze in the air.

This past Thursday Barbara and I hopped on the train and took a leisurely ride from Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon. Before the train ride we were treated to an old fashion gun fight and a rigged poker game. During the ride we enjoyed the music of a couple of cowboys singing country western and rock n roll songs. On the return trip we witnessed an old fashion train robbery. Honestly, we both thought it was a wimpy robbery. But all in all it was an enjoyable ride on the train and of course the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Yesterday Barbara and I visited the Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, Arizona. We visited the sister park in Rapid City, South Dakota a couple of years ago. Yesterday we discovered that the owners of the two parks are related. As the story goes, the park in Rapid City was started by the father and his two sons started Bearizona shortly after. This is a fun park. You drive through and see the larger animals in a more natural environment. You can drive through the park as many times as you would like during the same day. So Barbara drove through once, did the walk through section, watched a small animal show and then drove through again. We had a lot of fun while enjoying the animals. As you would expect they have a gift shop and restaurant. If you’re ever in the Williams area it is well worth the price of admission.

Today Barbara and I took a short drive to visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument.

This area was inhabited by the Southern Sinagua Indians until approximately 600 years ago. They lived in this area for 500 years before they built the cliff dwellings seen here. During there time here they farmed the land adjacent to the Verde river growing corn, beans, squash, and cotton using canal irrigation. The surrounding area provided abundant resources: water from the river and streams, and sufficient game including deer, antelope, rabbit, bear, muskrat and duck. Their diet centered around corn, but they even mined salt nearby. They traded salt for other needs with other tribes in the area. But for reasons unknown, they left this area and moved north approximately 100 years after the dwellings were built. Today their architecture still stands and is protected by the National Park Service for all to enjoy.

Today Barbara and I spent most of the day inside because mother nature provided the area with abundant rain. It never rained hard, but it was consistent most of the day. This evening, right after dinner, we were treated to one of the most amazing rainbows we have ever seen. Take a look!

Yesterday as I was looking out of the bedroom window I saw a little head poking out of a hole in a cactus just outside.  So I grabbed my camera and tried to get some photos of a woodpecker living there.  At first it was shy as it would duck inside each time I pointed the camera in its direction, but after a short time it almost seem to be posing for me. 

I have always been amazed the way animals are able to adapted to the environment around them.  Here in the southwest desert of Arizona there are very few trees so these little creatures make there homes in cacti.  Take a look!