AZ, UT, NM Road Trip
In the Petrified Forest there are numerous specimens of Petrified Wood Trees, which because of
local chemistry conditions were preserved instead of decaying, which is the normal process normally
for dead tree fall. About 200 million years ago these trees fell and were washed by flooding into
this concentrated area where they were covered with volcanic ash which covered and preserved the
wood pieces for years to come. It is illegal to remove the petrified wood, but may gift shops sell
small specimens.
This area has also been home to many Indian tribes over the last 10,000 years and many Indian
relicts and archeological sites are located within this area. From here we proceeded to West
along Interstate 40 where we spent the night in Winslow, AZ (“Such a fine sight to see” as the
Eagles sing). I was not impressed.
Paul J. Lossner
Painted Desert & Petrified Forest, AZ:
The final stop for the day was the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Parks. The Painted
Desert stretches over 160 miles, but the most visited part of the park is located also within the
Petrified Forest National Part. We actually grazed the Petrified Forest near the Dinosaur Tracks
and Cameron, AZ. The Painted Desert gets its name from the multi-colored canvas of the Clay
Badlands, which were produced over millions of year of turbulent volcanic and tectonic activity.
Paul J. Lossner
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