Petrified Forest
Arizona is a dry place. While something like seventeen prehistoric oceans have at one time or another been where Arizona is, you'd be excused for not noticing that today. However, remnants of those wetter times pop up every now and then.
2006-04-09 10:59
This is petrified wood. When trees grew here in a swamp and were fossilized, the surrounding minerals entered the wood, turning it to stone with a wood pattern.
2006-04-09 11:03
An entire petrified tree, complete with roots.
2006-04-09 11:04
The pieces of wood lie strewn across the landscape.
2006-04-09 11:08
Closeup of a piece. The tree rings can be seen clearly.
2006-04-09 11:34
Jasper Forest.
2006-04-09 11:53
The Blue Mesa Badlands. The place is exactly as inhospitable as you would expect from the photo.
2006-04-09 11:59
More Blue Mesa.
2006-04-09 12:06
More Blue Mesa.
2006-04-09 12:08
Closeup of the Blue Mesa cliffs.
2006-04-09 12:23
This area wasn't all bad, all the time. Once, pueblo indians lived here. Their carvings can be seen on stones.
2006-04-09 12:31
This is all that's left of the houses.
2006-04-09 12:33
More carvings.
2006-04-09 12:45
In the north end of the national park is the Painted Desert. The desert was formed via erosion of the many layers that were laid down when seas were covering this place.
2006-04-09 12:50
More Painted Desert.
2006-04-09 12:52
More Painted Desert.