BajaNomad - Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park

Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park

DianaT - 4-11-2012 at 09:53 PM

This is right off I-40 near Holbrook, Arizona --- north and south of the interstate and a place to see. The last time I stopped there was when I was a small child -- back in the dark ages---when it was still on

OK, it was in a car a bit newer than this one that was left behind. :biggrin:

A few pix from this really beautiful and interesting place. It really hard to imagine this place as the tropical forest that it was at one time.

[Edited on 4-13-2012 by DianaT]

goldhuntress - 4-11-2012 at 10:16 PM

Beautiful photos Diana! I love the petrified wood. I actually think I visited the Petrified Forest when I was a kid, I'll have to ask my Dad about that. I remember being fascinated with the thought of that happening to wood. It was such a mystery to me! I have a little piece somewhere around here

woody with a view - 4-12-2012 at 07:40 AM

love the last shot!

Bia and i drove thru and pulled over for an hour or so about 10 years ago on the way from chicago to sd. the purple mountain's majesty was incredible that day right before the sunset.

DianaT - 4-12-2012 at 07:53 AM

Thanks---it is such an incredible place and it is so good that it is protected. They do sell some petrified wood that is collected off the National Park, but the stealing of petrified is still a big problem for the Park.

Barry A. - 4-12-2012 at 08:45 AM

It's been a few years since we were there, but I remember talking to the Ranger's at length and they have a very vigorous "Petri-wood protection program" implimented but the huge crowds they get are very hard to monitor. It's a shame that a few people steal P-wood which makes it hard on everyone else-------it is a REAL problem for the NPS to stay on top of, and a crime against humanity in my opinion, just like the theft and destruction of antiquities (Indian artifacts) all over the west.

Your pics, as usual, are spectacular, Diana.

Thanks for posting them.

Barry

DianaT - 4-12-2012 at 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
It's been a few years since we were there, but I remember talking to the Ranger's at length and they have a very vigorous "Petri-wood protection program" implimented but the huge crowds they get are very hard to monitor. It's a shame that a few people steal P-wood which makes it hard on everyone else-------it is a REAL problem for the NPS to stay on top of, and a crime against humanity in my opinion, just like the theft and destruction of antiquities (Indian artifacts) all over the west.

Your pics, as usual, are spectacular, Diana.

Thanks for posting them.

Barry

Thanks Barry!

It is a shame it is such a problem with the stealing and they do try to stop it but they can't be everywhere all the time and small pieces are laying around everywhere and as one ranger told us, a few pieces here and there by one person adds up to tons missing!

David K - 4-12-2012 at 05:45 PM

I agree totally... The petrified forest of El Rosario will continue to be an attraction as long as we take only photos there.

Baja Angel and I went to the Arizona sites a few years ago, and they were indeed beautiful... The giant logs (or logs turned into rock) were amazing... so much as far as one can see.

wilderone - 4-18-2012 at 08:28 AM

Great photos!

"They do sell some petrified wood that is collected off the National Park ... "

A couple summers ago I went to Petrif NP and others areas - continued to New Mexico. After my day at PNP, I found a forest service road just south of Eager to spend the night. Found a nice spot and started wandering around. Came across some jasper, and then petrified wood. I found whole "branches" of petrified wood - not anything like the Petrif. NP (about 1-2 in. diameter), but petrified just the same. It was a thrill to find it and then think about the geology of the area. After I got home, I did some research about fossils and discovered a lot of other places to return to to find petrif. wood and dino bones. BTW, on public lands (not National Parks, but BLM and Natl Forest and Wilderness), it is OK to collect such things in quantities determined for personal interest.

DianaT - 4-18-2012 at 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wilderone
Great photos!

"They do sell some petrified wood that is collected off the National Park ... "

A couple summers ago I went to Petrif NP and others areas - continued to New Mexico. After my day at PNP, I found a forest service road just south of Eager to spend the night. Found a nice spot and started wandering around. Came across some jasper, and then petrified wood. I found whole "branches" of petrified wood - not anything like the Petrif. NP (about 1-2 in. diameter), but petrified just the same. It was a thrill to find it and then think about the geology of the area. After I got home, I did some research about fossils and discovered a lot of other places to return to to find petrif. wood and dino bones. BTW, on public lands (not National Parks, but BLM and Natl Forest and Wilderness), it is OK to collect such things in quantities determined for personal interest.

Thanks for the nice comment.

Sounds like you were in a beautiful area! It is always a great feeling to be surrounded by ancient remains and does tend to leave one realizing what a short time we have on this earth.

As far as people collecting outside of the National Park, I imagine that "quantities determined for personal interest" is open to many interpretations. :yes:

wessongroup - 4-18-2012 at 11:59 AM

That "four corner" area has "something" going for it ... gives one a different feeling... or at least it did for us ...

Thanks, its been a while ... was small when our family first visited the place too....

Barry A. - 4-18-2012 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

From an old BLM'er----------what that "quantities determined for personal interest" really means is don't get caught selling any of it. BIG fines!!! etc.

Barry

DianaT - 4-18-2012 at 12:21 PM

Barry,

I knew you would respond.

Curious---ok, when you worked for the BLM, what would they consider a reasonable quantity for person interest? You said don't get caught selling it, but many rock shops do sell it. It just seems like it would be too easy for way too much to be removed.

My own personal feeling is that I wish everyone would leave it alone for future generations to enjoy. But then again, I did purchase a couple of small pieces for my grandsons. Conflicted!

Mexitron - 4-18-2012 at 12:26 PM

Such beautiful country...the nearby Painted Desert is a favorite...there IS something about that area. Thanks for the nice pics Diane!

Barry A. - 4-18-2012 at 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Barry,

I knew you would respond.

In my day (prior to 16 years ago) that field decision was always left up to the LE Ranger-------i.e. a couple of stones was no big deal, but about 10 lbs would normally be confiscated with a possible Fed. citation depending on the individuals attitude & explanation. Larger amounts could/would get you arrested on the spot, jailed, and hauled before the Fed. Magistrate, or Judge. The fines were inconsistant, depending on how the Fed. Judge felt about the violation-----there were no sentencing guidelines, so it was pretty much up to the Fed. Judge. If the violator behaved badly during any of the process he could go to jail for a few months, plus substantial fines.

With Fed. law there is not much fooling around. There really are not that many "criminal" Fed. laws, but taking any resouces off Fed. land and selling it (without a Fed. permit) was a very serious Fed. criminal crime. That was my experience anyway.

Violators are tough to catch, but when they are it is memorable, normally.

Barry

DianaT - 4-18-2012 at 01:03 PM

Thanks Barry--- appreciate the information.

Guess I won't take the U-haul out there after all. :biggrin:

Seriously, we very much appreciate the work the federal officers do in trying to protect our national treasures.

Natalie Ann - 4-18-2012 at 03:35 PM

Oh my, you have really captured that place, Diane! That's exactly how I remember it - so beautiful and so unique. I like the photo set so much that I don't even think I have a favorite.

Thank you!

nena

DianaT - 4-18-2012 at 06:15 PM

Thanks Nena---tis a special place and I wondered if it would be like I remembered from when I was 5 years old--- about 30 years ago. :lol:

We really enjoyed all the places we visited on this last trip---I often wonder if there is there is something like too much travel? Nah---just not enough money to keep on traveling.