Petrified Forest National Park: January 2023
Quite the cheesy title, no? I'm a big national park person, don't ask me how it started, I really don't know. But I do know that like many others, I'm on a mission to see every national park in the states, and hopefully more outside of that. The park is about 3 hours northeast of Phoenix, so it makes for a great day trip if you want to get out and have adventures but can't swing a plane ticket somewhere. It was a little cooler further north than we're used to, so I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt. The Petrified Forest is seriously a wonder. I can't say I've ever seen something so hauntingly beautiful.
The large pieces of petrified wood throughout the park look like they're made of stone, it's incredible. The small mountains you see as you drive through the entrance to the park and throughout look like they've been painted on by a medieval artist. It's almost like the mountains create their own version of a maze that you can see right through from high up. Pictures really don't do it justice.
Signage throughout the park shows you where to find petroglyphs, an ancient form of writing and storytelling by our ancestors. It's crazy to think some things last so long.
I especially loved this mini adventure because I had my best friend with me.
Justin drove most of the way while listening to me "ooh" and "ahh" and carry on about how beautiful this place was. Do you know how refreshing it is to have someone love you with all your quirkiness and excitedness? I'm grateful that I do.
If you were just passing through from above, at first glance you may think it was a barren wasteland with nothing but brown tones that the rest of Arizona is cursed with. But there's life here, and a lot of evidence of past life. Including some of the current locals like crows (might have been a raven, I was too mesmerized to tell). The timing of this photo was perfect, so I had to snap it. I can only imagine the hundreds of species living beneath this land and in every crevice I can't see. Luckily the park's visitors center tells you everything you need to know about the native four through eight legged creatures that call(ed) this place home, including dinosaurs. It definitely seems appropriate considering the environment.
Luckily the park's visitors center tells you everything you need to know about the native creatures that call(ed) this place home, including dinosaurs. It definitely seems appropriate considering the environment. The span of history in the park is amazing. One minute you're looking at fossils and petroglyphs, and the next there are sprinkled remnants of a more recent past including some really rad rides. I couldn't tell you the type of car if you offered me a million bucks, but whoever was cruising in this gem was riding in style. And it spoke to me. Not quite like Herbie, but even gutted and stripped away of most of it's original parts, even though a shell remained, this big boy to me says power.
One other thing, if you plan to visit the park, like most federally protected environments, removing any natural material from the area (especially the wood) is illegal, so don't be the guy who tries to take home a souvenir. They sell more wood from out of the area in the gift shop. I know because Justin came home with some 😂 Theodore Roosevelt, who helped establish the national park system and protection of the lands call the parks "America's Best Idea". And to me, he was right. Get out and see them. The national parks are in most states scattered across the US, and even if you're not near one, photos will be enough to convince you. Google it. Be present with the land and breathe it in. You'll be glad you did.
This place left me petrified with beauty, I hope it makes you feel something too.
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