This pic actually belongs below with the petrified forest pics. I tried to insert it there, but it liked this spot best. Anyway, Jim noticed the bark-like texture. It is rare. Most bark and limbs were torn off as the logs moved along the river before they were petrified.
The Salt River Canyon is absolutely beautiful. It is on rt 77/60 between Globe and Show Low. there were hikes available there, but we were enroute with no time to spare. Another time, perhaps, we can schedule a hike along the river.
Petrified Forest
Petrified ForestThese trees were under water in a swamp for years. Minerals entered the cells, so the trees turned into rock. Very simple explanation of this beauty! The natives actually build a home out of these rocks!
Ancient writing on this rock
Ancient writing on this rock
If you think the painted desert is anything like these following pictures, you are wrong! I am disappointed in how the pictures turned out - but maybe the Lord does not want me to have a picture of this favorite part of His world. Maybe He just wants me to long to go back again and agina?!? You can see faint color - but it is really breathtaking. This was a delayed trip for my __th birthday. Well worth the wait!
The Painted Desert Inn was part of the Fred Harvey Restaurant Chain. For the younger friends, consider researching out his history and how he helped with travel out west! I included the menu - 75 cents for a lunch! The walls were expertly painted - ceiling is beautiful and it overlooks the painted desert. It is no longer a working restaurant, but a part of the National Park system. Certainly worth a visit.
These pictures are from the actual rim, which runs about 200 miles long. Our hotel room has information on this hike and we are so grateful! If we had been on the main road, we would have only had a brief sight of this scene. It is a very beautiful blue ridge! I asked Abby to stand under the mistletoe in the tree. She graciously complied with my whimsy! Jim was fascinated with the complexity of a pine tree. The last picture shows rocks intertwined in the root system of a fallen tree with the blue ridge in the background. Yes - that place was a treat! We wanted to take the road further, but it turned into gravel - no way in our Scion!
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is a very special treat. Who would know that the Lord placed a natural bridge with running water and moss in AZ?!? We arrived after an earlier hike, so we chose to skip the hike to the area below the bridge. We would like to plan for that next time. It was amazing scenery and a lovely place for our picnic lunch. The Park Ranger asked for prayer for his retirement hope - he seemed really worried.
We really enjoyed reading this sign. It shows grateful termites eating away in a forest. They are grateful for EnvironMENTALists and their lawyers! We were in hunting country - but, all of AZ is that way.
Not for the the faint-hearted: It was Elk season, so we saw a guy with his refrigerator truck. He unloads the elk and then skins them and does a weigh and then puts it in the truck for more porcessing at the main plant.
This is TRUE. On Rte 260 east of Payson, there is a light to warn you about crossing Elk. We stopped there and explored the area. Found guts, lots of empty booze bottles and a smelly elk carcus. So, we're thinking the lazy hunters just wait right there and shoot them as they cross!
