Tuesday

Tuesday 14th November - the Windy Day

Today was the day that we planned to go back to Petrified Forest National Monument.  We awoke early as usual, checked out of the motel and drove the 20 miles back to the Monument before 9am.

It was warmer than yesterday, but also a lot windier!  It was difficult to take many photographs, either because the gusts of wind would cause you to lose your balance, or the cold would cause you to lose concentration!

We started off at Kachina Point, were the historic Painted Desert Inn (now a small museum) is located.  This also has high level views over the Painted Desert, although at this time of day the colours are less striking than in the late evening.

We then drove on through the park, stopping off at a few points (including some with ancient petroglyphs).  One of those was the Blue Mesa, which has a trail through part of the Badlands.

We also stopped off at Crystal Forest, with another trail through a forest of petrified rock in amethyst and quartz crystals.

After we left the park, we had a quick bite to eat (for shame, in McDonalds), and then started to drive South.  The plan was for a quick blast to Globe, were we would relax for the rest of the day, however we didn't know that the Salt River Canyon was in the way.  As a result, we were further delayed in gaping at the scenery of sandstone at sunset.