Chinook RV

Our Spring break road trip through northern Arizona was curtailed by the following dust storm warning: “…visibility less than one quarter mile… sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph with gusts from 40 to 60 mph… extremely dangerous travel conditions, especially with high profile vehicles.”

We had hoped to spend a leisurely few days exploring the Petrified Forest before continuing north to the Utah border and Monument Valley. Unfortunately the fickle weather required a change in plan so we spent just one night at the Holbrook KOA before retreating south through the Petrified Forest.

At least we enjoyed sufficient calm before the storm to check out the Visitor Center, walk several trails, study the petroglyphs, absorb the Painted Desert vista and marvel at the colorful petrified wood.

Naturally “she who must be obeyed” desired a souvenir so we were lured into the Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop strategically placed where petrified wood could be purchased just outside the southern park boundary. The most desirable specimens were well beyond our modest price range and the Chinook’s weight limit!

Back in the Great Lakes area, spring is the best thing ever. Not quite the same in the desert though - those winds!

After that last pic suddenly I was picturing one of those Flintstone cars made from a hollowed out log as your new "toad."

Very cool. She looks good sitting out there in the distance.

Hi Rokrover - that's a beautiful area and I loved your comment about having to stop at the Crystal Forest Gift Shop. We visited the Petrified Forest many years ago and I spent almost an hour there while my wife prowled around the place looking for souvenirs!

Hi Rokrover - that's a beautiful area and I loved your comment about having to stop at the Crystal Forest Gift Shop. We visited the Petrified Forest many years ago and I spent almost an hour there while my wife prowled around the place looking for souvenirs!

I can easily relate, Paul We have the famous Tucson Gem & Mineral show near home every winter but found the Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop more relaxed and interesting for novice rockhounds. So my wife demanded extra browsing time while I was relegated to taking pictures outside so as not to cramp her shopping style.

If you look closely there's a jumbled stick nest in the attached picture just under the word “clean” and soon enough a raven arrived with morsels for its nestling. I was told the pair is named Heckle and Jeckle even though they are not magpies like the classic cartoon characters. More wild ravens amused us inside the park with their aerobatic displays enhanced by strong wind gusts. Clever corvids!

pdemarest wrote: April 20th, 2018, 1:06 pm Hi Rokrover - that's a beautiful area and I loved your comment about having to stop at the Crystal Forest Gift Shop. We visited the Petrified Forest many years ago and I spent almost an hour there while my wife prowled around the place looking for souvenirs!

Back in '97, I was at the Petrified Forest for two+ hours, with my then girlfriend. We weren't shopping, but I left the key on the ignition, and I perfunctorily locked the door. (Habit from living in bad neighborhood all my life) She ended up marrying me, and I has no idea why she would after incidence like this.