Day 16 - unexpected greatness
Don't you just LOVE when you don't really set any plans and the coolest things just kind of happen?
We watched the inauguration this morning as we finished repacking. Very inspiring. We started out headed to the meteor crater but realized we'd be driving that same way as we head to Santa Fe, so we turned around and went to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument. HOW AWESOME were all three places!!!!!!!
We started out at Walnut Canyon. We had NO idea what it was - just that it was a national monument. Turns out it was an area of cliff dwellings. Very cool. We had a great time - even with the 240 steps down and 240 steps up!!! YES - I did all those steps after a half-marathon. And you know what?? I felt great. A little sore - but all good. We were walking and heard a commotion on the stairs above us where we'd just been. We looked up and saw three mule deer bounding UP THE STAIRS going up the cliff. I took some pictures and said "well - you don't see THAT everyday!" It was so weird. We ran into the deer later when we got to the top and walked the rim.
We left Walnut Canyon and headed to Sunset Crater Volcano. Just as we turned onto Route 66 I yelled "STOP THE CAR! There's an EAGLE!!" Don stopped safely and backed up. I got some INCREDIBLE pictures of a bald eagle perched at the top of a hollowed out tree. It was BEAUTIFUL. I CANNOT wait to get those photos onto my computer so I can share them with you.
After we got our fill of the eagle we headed on to the volcano. We got there - stopped at the visitor center and got our stamp - and drove the 35 mile loop to the Wupatki monument. I was very impressed by the volcano. It was huge. The cinder mountains were so amazing. The whole area was unique with the lava beds covered in snow.
We stopped to take pictures of the painted desert and I KNOW my pictures won't do it justice. It was breathtaking. We got out and explored some Anasazi ruins. AMAZING. The area was very well protected. You could even see shards of pottery lying around - with plenty of warning signs of DON'T TOUCH THE POTTERY. After a hundred photos in the area, we headed out of the park and to our Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. We REALLY enjoyed our day. It was so relaxing and unplanned and it was awesome!!
The boys are so excited that they get to go on a train ride tomorrow. So am I!! I am feeling ready to explore the Grand Canyon - as long as I don't have to do any running!! I will end this amazing day for now and wish you all a great night!!!
We watched the inauguration this morning as we finished repacking. Very inspiring. We started out headed to the meteor crater but realized we'd be driving that same way as we head to Santa Fe, so we turned around and went to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument. HOW AWESOME were all three places!!!!!!!
We started out at Walnut Canyon. We had NO idea what it was - just that it was a national monument. Turns out it was an area of cliff dwellings. Very cool. We had a great time - even with the 240 steps down and 240 steps up!!! YES - I did all those steps after a half-marathon. And you know what?? I felt great. A little sore - but all good. We were walking and heard a commotion on the stairs above us where we'd just been. We looked up and saw three mule deer bounding UP THE STAIRS going up the cliff. I took some pictures and said "well - you don't see THAT everyday!" It was so weird. We ran into the deer later when we got to the top and walked the rim.
We left Walnut Canyon and headed to Sunset Crater Volcano. Just as we turned onto Route 66 I yelled "STOP THE CAR! There's an EAGLE!!" Don stopped safely and backed up. I got some INCREDIBLE pictures of a bald eagle perched at the top of a hollowed out tree. It was BEAUTIFUL. I CANNOT wait to get those photos onto my computer so I can share them with you.
After we got our fill of the eagle we headed on to the volcano. We got there - stopped at the visitor center and got our stamp - and drove the 35 mile loop to the Wupatki monument. I was very impressed by the volcano. It was huge. The cinder mountains were so amazing. The whole area was unique with the lava beds covered in snow.
We stopped to take pictures of the painted desert and I KNOW my pictures won't do it justice. It was breathtaking. We got out and explored some Anasazi ruins. AMAZING. The area was very well protected. You could even see shards of pottery lying around - with plenty of warning signs of DON'T TOUCH THE POTTERY. After a hundred photos in the area, we headed out of the park and to our Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. We REALLY enjoyed our day. It was so relaxing and unplanned and it was awesome!!
The boys are so excited that they get to go on a train ride tomorrow. So am I!! I am feeling ready to explore the Grand Canyon - as long as I don't have to do any running!! I will end this amazing day for now and wish you all a great night!!!
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