Sunday

Sunday 12th November - the Rock Climbing Day

We woke up early, due to the jetlag and were almost first into the diner for breakfast at 6am.  After a typical unhealthy breakfast (Denver omelette for Dave, hot cereal and toast for Kate) we were on our way out of Phoenix before 8.

Our first objective was to drive North East out of Phoenix up route 87 to Tonto Natural Bridge (an Arizona State Park).  Tonto Natural Bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, being 183 feet high, 150 feet wide at the widest point and 400 feet long.  Kate hung around the top of the canyon, while Dave headed down into the depths and clambered over the rocks and through Pine Creek to traverse the bridge.  It was surprisingly tricky, mainly due to totally inappropriate footwear which had no where near enough grip.  The 45 degree downward slope with a 20 foot drop-off into the Creek if you got it wrong was particularly buttock clenching.  On the other hand, the rocks and scenery down there made the clamber worth while.

After this, we had a bite to eat at a local deli - 2 enormous sub sandwiches - and then we drove on, through Coconino National Forest and up towards Petrified Forest.  We arrived about an hour before sunset and the light made the petrified logs glow.  We spend around an hour at the Giant Logs, walking amongst them and taking photographs.  This was fascinating - much more interesting than we had expected.

The original plan was just to drive straight through here on our way to Canyon de Chelly, but the good thing about a holiday like this is that you can change your plans!  Since we enjoyed the Giant Logs so much, we decided to go back to Holbrook, checked into a Best Western and decided to stay for 2 nights, so that we could go back and see the rest of the Petrified Forest later, probably on Tuesday.