The Petrified Forest, Arizona
Just off Interstate 40 in Northern Arizona is 'The Petrified Forest National Park' though a more enjoyable approach to the park is via Highway 180, this gives you a long ride through the area on an empty road and some stunning views along the way.
At the park entrance the first sections of petrified wood lay scattered beside the welcome sign providing an insight into the park content. Not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure but for me, viewing something from 225million years ago (even if it is now petrified) was an opportunity not to be missed. A small visitor centre has parking and there are good quality footpaths all the way around the park for visitors.
I found some of these huge tree segments stunning, the colour and glass like finish was impossible not to touch (you are permitted to do so) though you are not permitted to take any of the pieces away with you no matter how small
some of the rocks are now left on top of mounds that they have protected from erosion for many years but now they are undermined and slowly creeping downward.
in just a few cases part of the root is also captured by Triassic rock. It is hard to imagine this area covered in forest and the journey that has taken it from there to desert over so many years.
This is another one of those places that should be on your 'bucket list' but then I guess anything I've never seen would be on mine, if I ever tried to write one it would be a hell of a size.
leaving the park I stopped at a gift store there and bought some beautiful American Indian jewellery for Sarah, hopefully one day I will take her to where it came from.