Knowing we had a very long day on the road, we started our journey early, departing Durango before breakfast. We decided to drive the back roads towards Farmington and western New Mexico. Once we passed Farmington, it seemed as if we had left civilization. Very quiet and very deserted roads. In our attempts to avoid main roads, we turned on to a very quiet, rather desolate road called Indian Service Route 5. We knew that we were driving through the Navajo Nation, and we could see some very small collections of houses, and some small communities. We saw several traditional Hogans, which are earthen dome houses, facing east, and used for prayer, meetings, and ceremonies.
Our first stop for the day was the Painted Desert and Petrified National Forest. If you are driving along Interstate-10, not paying much attention, you might miss it. And that would be so disappointing.
The Painted Desert is a stunning, pink, natural wonderland.
From the overlooks of the Painted Desert, it is a short drive to the main entrance of the Petrified Forest National Park. The access road to the park crosses the famous Route 66, and is celebrated with some signs and a vintage car.
Perhaps the coolest parts of the Petrified Forest are the ancient Pueblo sites, complete with incredible, detailed petroglyphs.
As we drove through the park, the landscape continued to change dramatically, until we reached an area that contained the remnants for which the park got its name. There were hundreds of scattered petrified logs. Unfortunately, the park has had to institute an inspection station at the exits as theft of these items is a problem.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Petrified Forest? Not a living tree in sight!
After our visit to the Petrified Forest, we expected the rest of the journey to Tucson was going to be barren and boring. We were so wrong. This part of the drive was spectacular! Just past the town of Show Low, and into the Fort Apache Reservation, the landscape suddenly changed to uncover lush forests, with towering mountains, deep canyons, and one of the prettiest drives we have ever seen. The winding pass down to, and over, Salt River was dramatic. And our journey into Tucson was perfectly timed, as we arrived as the breathtaking sunset colors lit up Mt. Lemmon. A perfect end to a stunningly beautiful day.
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