Thursday, July 12, 2018

Petrified Forest National Park


The Petrified Forest is more than just gorgeous petrified wood, there are also very colorful badlands and fossils spread over 230 square miles.








Our first hike was thru Blue Mesa. What a cool hike!





Can't take the rocks, but you can take photos of them. So much variety of color and texture.






Crystal Forest was next, where we hiked to some beautiful pieces of petrified trees. We thought it was strange that this huge tree had been cut into pieces, and then we read it hadn't. The petrified wood becomes extremely heavy and brittle. Unsupported weight causes it to break into these pieces.


Beautiful pieces, but take only photos and leave the rocks for others to enjoy!








Last was the Giant Logs hike behind the visitor center. 
Here Asher is working on his Junior Ranger booklet so he could earn his badge.

This log is called "Old Faithful" and is almost 10 feet wide at the base!

The visitor center has some beautiful polished petrified wood pieces on display. 
This one weighs 800 lbs and took 10 hours to cut!


Next stop...... the Grand Canyon!

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