A quick stop at the painted Desert and Petrified Forest.

Since we were in the area we decided to backtrack east again to check two more National Parks off of our list. Now, because we were so busy at the Grand Canyon, I didn't do the normal in-depth research for our next destination. After all it was called the Route 66 RV park, it was inexpensive, the reviews were ok, and it was 10 minutes from the parks.... what could go wrong? First let me make a correction. It was not Route 66 RV park. It was ROOT 66 RV Park. Small difference you say? Right. Now the one step in my research that I skipped was to look at the park on a satellite image. Oops, that won't happen again!

It is right off the highway, I mean spitting distance, in the middle of nowhere, with a run down out of business motel on the grounds. There were about a dozen rv spots all with full hookup and they did have wifi that worked, which can't be said for 1/2 of the parks that we stay at. As we pull in, another RV pulled in.....and out. They didn't even get out of their rig. That's how iffy it looked plus there was only one other rv in the park and it could of been abandoned. (I never did see anyone near the trailer) But we checked it out. The managers were a nice couple with 2 kids. After we checked in another RV pulled in so we felt a little safer. All in all we stayed 4 days. Check off another unique experience.

Enough talk. The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest are actually one long park. The Desert first then the forest. Or the other way around if you enter at the other end. Here are some pictures.

The colors in the painted desert aren't the same in the pictures.

This used to be a hotel/restaurant. This was right on route 66 and did a great business back in the day. 

Ruins of an old Indian village. 

Petroglyphs

I love this picture. A petrified log 5 Million yrs old, and a new flower. 

Now the petrified forest. 

The infamous Wigwam Motel in Holbrook Az. on Route 66. 

A few interesting tidbits. In all of the little towns on Route 66 there are tons of little shops that look like it's still the 50's, as well as rock shops selling petrified wood. When talking to a local, she said the whole area is full of petrified wood. Every time she digs in the garden she finds it. very common like rocks in the midwest.

Well next stop, Vegas Baby.

See you down the road.