Hike down Bright Angel Trail to 6.4 miles and back
or 1650 mile drive to provide a 82 mile shuttle
I-25 & I-40
Indian country
Petrified Forest National Monument
Petrified Forest National Monument
Even though it is about the destination, the trip was pretty good, too.
After the flats, the lava flows and red cliffs of Grants area excepted, the Painted Desert, which is the northern part of Petrified Forest NP, is, thank you Arizona.
Fine petroglyphs on the way to the forest.
The petrified forest is revealed in a couple of places--big old logs spread over several acres.
The small museum at the south end of the park is in another forest with a view of a monster stump on the horizon
Ravens await tourists at each parking lot -- the chipmunks of the southwestLa Posada, Winslow AZ
Current design is by Mary Colter, who also created buildings at the Grand Canyon in the early 1900's. 
There are earlier elements like this tapered, defense portal in an old wall
and more recent--a straw bale maze
Art is an important element.
Gate at the railroad tracks.
A corn stalk gate.
Nice roof details.
A message from the reception desk?
As to be expected, a lot of historic information inside--but not the carpet squares
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon, here we are.
Zoom from the rim to Phantom Ranch
Classical sunset
Looking back at the trail head, in the V of the rim, about 4.5 trail miles back.
Indian Garden is an oasis at about 3,800' & 3,000' down from the rim.
Not sure about the green shaggy what-the-heck in the middle.
A small, creek canyon leads from Indian Garden to the Colorado.
Main wildlife on this winter day -- a Western Scrub Jay
Top of the Devil's Staircase is the end of my hike down
where I meet the ascending boaters and turn back upward. Obviously before the rain starts.
Las Vegas NM
Best Super 8 ever
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