Dark, smoky Sunset (Crater)

One of my adventures this weekend was visiting Sunset Crater. 

 Imagine a big...BIG pile of soot.

There is a trail looping the base of Sunset Crater but hiking to the summit is not permitted. A trail providing access to the summit and crater was closed in 1973 because of excessive erosion caused by hikers.

At least it provides a nice view of the San Francisco Peaks!

At the base of Sunset Crater was the Bonita lava flow. It was created in the early 1100's. 

What blog would be complete without a few random shots of unique spots of nature??

You would have thought these trees were charred very recently!

The following picture is described as a 'squeeze-up'. The definition is pretty self explanatory when you think about it. A squeeze-up is formed when lava from beneath the surface oozes through a crack in the lava crust.

Squeeze-up

In the valley pictured below lies a series of red cinder-covered vents, marking a fissure along which the most recent volcanic activity occured. Sunset crater began erupting in 1064 a.d. and marks the northwestern end of this fissure.

Cinder Hills overlook

Creeping in on the red rocks

Next, I ventured to Sedona, AZ  (picture a tourist trap surrounded by beautiful red rocky mountains) venturing on the historic route 89A.
I wasn't excited over how my pictures turned out, but I was able to capture some of it's beauty.

Tuzigoot

My next stop was Tuzigoot National Monument. This was one of the ruins my family took me too when I visited in 1999. I didn't enter the site (because it cost too much), but I got a picture from the outside!

Castle in rock

One of my last stops was Montezuma Castle. I had also been here before, but it was amazing none-the-less. This 'castle' was incorrectly named from the mistaken belief that the cliff-dwelling that the Aztec refugees had built for their emperor. We have found that Montezuma never ventured this far north from his Mexican homelands, but the name still stuck.

Well living

My final stop of the day was at Montezuma Well (11 miles northeast of Montezuma Castle).

Montezuma Well is a natural limestone sinkhole (much like the one I found near the Citadel at Wupatki National Monument). The water is highly carbonated and contains high levels of arsenic.

Early dwellers used the outflow from this well as irrigation. Yes...people actually lived here. They actually created their homes into the rock walls surrounding the well.

The Yavapai people believe they emerged into this world through the well, making this a very sacred spot to them.

Anaasází Bikin (Wupatki)

I visited Wupatki National Monument today. I pass by it every day and barely had enough sunlight 

left in the day to enjoy it (I was actually cut short).

Entrance to park.

First stop was Box Canyon. 800 year old ruins of pueblos. 

Early inhabitants used sandstone and limestone added with local soils to construct these walls.

Near Box Canyon was Lomaki.

There was evidence of a 'quick' departure for these people. It is still not understood today why that was. There are many possibilities...disease, drought affecting vegetation and animals. There is also thought of invading hostile tribes that contributed to the desertion of this area in the mid 1200's.

Down the road a ways, I found the Citadel.

Nalakihu (Hopi for 'House outside the village'). Located outside the Citadel.

Climbing to the Citadel.

Called a 'sink', this is a natural occurrence made when rainwater dissolves limestone.

View from Citadel. Could be why it was built on the hilltop.

Wupatki (Navajo for 'Houses of the enemies).

Wukoki (Hopi for 'Big house').

As you can tell from this last photo, daylight was fading. So, I close this for now. Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Mùnqapi (Moenkopi, AZ)

In the 'town' of Moenkopi, AZ I met Isobel and her sister.

They were selling their jewelry...and story, and it was a good one (it reeled me in anyway). They told me of how they grew up 'just over there...at the base of those hills'.
And pointed to these...hills.

Next their story flowed about living as children in the area...and finding the dinosaur tracks. They walked me around to each spot.

I listened intently to their story. Their eyes would get big, filled with excitement. It was hard not to be intoxicated by their spirit. After the imprints of dinosaur tracks, they led me to petrified dinosaur bones. 

And next on the list? Dinosaur...egg shells.

Finally...this picture is proof...of a dinosaur claw scrape (the blackened marking in the center).

In the end, I walked away with authentic jewelry from my new friends...and a smile. Who can ask for a better visit?

Follow the bouncing ball...

Well, I'm finally on to my next adventure...flying solo this time. Devin has decided to stay back to hold down our new cabin (rented of course). He his getting set up for a job with his cousin and I know he will be happy working, but still wish he could be by my side.
So since I was not the co-pilot on this journey, it was difficult to stop and take pictures when I only had a limited time to get to...(insert drum-roll here) Arizona. Yep! Cross-country trip AGAIN!
Follow the road signs...due west! And we're off!

Leaving NY territory...

Thank you Maryland...I do believe a did...

Oops! Let's try that again...

Virginia...not to be confused with WEST Virginia...they don't like that!

 Come to Tennessee...they're plaaaaaying your soooong!

This one's for Dee...they have THE best peach drinks!!

They do exist!! Err...the Piggly Wiggly that is...

There it is! In all it's glory!

This was not an easy sign to get! Buckle up for safety...doesn't mention anything about trying to hold a camera, and take a picture of your state sign while driving 75 mph!!

Um...anyone?!

OOOOOOKlahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains...

Wind energy!

Mmm...comment...overload...must move on!

It's the NEW Mexico (always under construction)...in case you were wondering.

Got my kicks ON Route...66

Hard to see...but this person was traveling from Maine. Yep..actually just a wee bit further than me!

There was a lot of road work going on in NM...held up traffic for hours. So...I took photos.

YAY!! Arizona!! Pay no attention to the no parking sign. I...um...did a roll-by.

This is my exit! Finally!!