Petrified Forest Nat'l Park

10/7/2017
From Canyon De Chelly we consider heading to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  Back in 1999 we spent 4 days backpacking down to Phantom Ranch and back up so this would be a return trip.  However, it would be a long day, taking us a couple hundred miles out of our way, and we weren't sure about an intermediate stop (no Internet for research). So, we headed south to a place we didn't have time to see back in 99, Petrified Forest Nat'l Park.

After leaving the Navajo Reservation, we hit I-40 heading west for a few miles.  The north entrance has it's own exit (311) with a visitors center and the usual stuff found in the larger parks, gift shop, cafe and even a gas station.

There's a 26 mile road running through the park from the north entrance to the south entrance. It's the only paved road in the park, taking you to all the overlooks and attractions.  All the parking area's can accommodate RV'S and since we were staying at the south entrance, we toured part of the park on the way to our camping spot.

Here's some pictures...

There are two rock shops at the south entrance that provide free RV parking.  The petrified wood is so plentiful they use it to define the bounds of the parking area.

The Painted Desert is part of Petrified Forest NP.

The direction of the sun's rays has a profound effect on the colors.

Petified Forest is the only national park to preserve a section of the historic Route 66.

An opportunist or survivalist?

The ruins at Puerco Pueblo.

Hard to imagine this tree lived over 200 million years ago.

The colors are striking.

Blue Mesa, the brown on top of the mounds are ancient river pebble left behind after the midstone has eroded away.

Blue Mesa is the second oldest layer in the park and consists of gray, blue, purple and green mudstone and minor sandstone beds.

Sunset over Petrified Forest Nat'l Park.

Coming next, Head of the Ditch?!?!..............

Head of the Ditch

10/10/2017
Last spring we were passing through north eastern New Mexico and I was investigating possible dispersed  (free) campsites.  Although it was on the western side of the state, I ran across a Forest Service site called Head of the Ditch.  It get's name from a nearby irrigation ditch.  After leaving Petrified Forest our general direction was south and this little campground was about the right distance for an easy day's drive.

Head of the Ditch is located about 12 miles east of Alpine, AZ, just inside New Mexico.  There's a Ranger Station in Alpine so we stopped to get any information about our destination.  Well, the state line separates the Alpine Ranger district from the Gila Ranger district in New Mexico.   One of the Rangers knew of it but not much about it.

We found the campground almost deserted and setup on a relatively flat spot that was mostly grass.  We didn't do anything exciting here, just hung out for a few days enjoying the mild temperatures and beautiful scenery.

Coming next, Cattlemens Trail campground.

Canyon De Chelly Nat'l Monument

10/5/2017
Spent a couple nights deep in the Navajo reservation at Canyon De Chelly. This was one of the few places in the country where we had no access to cell service or internet, on Indian reservation .

The canyon is different from most, the Navajo and their ancesters  have been farming the canyon floor for over 2000 years.  Most visitors admire the views from the rim, except for one trail, all access inside the canyon is restricied to guided tours. 

Here's some pictures...

Coming next:  Petrified Forest National Park 

Mesa Verde Nat'l Park

10/2/2017

After the relative warmth of Gooseneck, we arrived at Mesa Verde NP visitors center in Colorado to a blustery cool wind. 

Our Campsite

View on the way up the Mesa.

Always on the prowl for a ranger lead tour, we signed up for the Balcony House tour the next day.  Here's how they described it, "Most Adventurous Cliff Dwelling Tour" (and the only one available this late in the season).  After descending 100 ft on concrete steps you climb a 32 ft ladder to get to the site.  To get back to the top requires crawling through an 18 inch wide 12 foot long tunnel and climbing up a 60 ft open cliff face with stone steps and two 10 ft ladders.  All the climbs are well protected and safe, but you're still clinging on with your own hands and feet. Neither of us are fond of heights, especially Joan who needed a little cajoling to agree to go.  

Heading down the 100 ft of steps to the first ladder.

The first ladder, Joan is cool as a cucumber... NOT!

And the climbing begins, as the ranger looks on.

WE MADE IT! HOORAY... up the FIRST ladder.

Looking down into one of two Kiva's in the site.

See hand print from Centuries ago.

Joan going in the tunnel...

... Rick coming out.

Going up the second ladder...

... followed by steps carved into the cliff face.
Notice the chain hand rails, the original
inhabitants didn't have such safety measures.

A sigh of relief.

All went well, with a little hyperventilating during the climbs. 

The balance of the day was spent driving to the many ancient Pueblo sites on the Chapin Mesa.

Coming next, Canyon De Chelly Nat'l Mounment, AZ.

Gooseneck State Park, Utah

09/29/2017

Gooseneck State Park is on the rim of the San Juan River as it  carves through the the desert landscape 1,000 feet below.

We arrived about 4 pm on a Friday  The only site with an overlook view of the gorge was way out near the end of the point down a rocky rough road.  Suprisingly, we found a level site with enough room to turn our rig around.  We spent 3 nights at Goosneck, one day just goofing off an enjoying the view.  The other day we did some exploring on some dirt roads looking for boondocks opportunities.  We also drove through Valley of the Gods.  See pics below.

Our camper as seen from the park enterence at sunset.

Pictures from Valley of the Gods...

The blog is now working to the minute.  There's a cell tower on a mountain a few miles away and with our booster we have 3 bars of LTE.  Posting this as we leave Gooseneck.

Coming next, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.