My heart both soars and aches as I post this…I am delighted that we made these memories, but it is bittersweet that it is over! I called Arizona home for a few years in my twenties, and it is where I met my husband. I was thrilled to be visiting the state again, and couldn’t wait to bring my daughter Lana there as well…I felt all warm and fuzzy as we entered the desert! After we left Mesa Verde, we began heading to Flagstaff where our next campground was and our home base for the Grand Canyon. We decided we had to visit the Four Corners since we were right there. It was ok, it seemed like one of those things you have to do! The good thing about it is that it’s run by the Navajo Nation, and the entrance fee goes to them, which is a great cause and something I was happy to support. On the inside, there is a row of stalls in each state, all of which sell Native American goods. I met a very nice Navajo man. We had a great conversation and I bought a painting of his. I will treasure it always as a fellow artist, because I know the man behind it and all the meaning he put into it. I can’t wait to display it.
Right along our route was someplace I hadn’t ever visited in my years in Arizona, the Petrified Forest National Park. This is a pretty cool spot because you have the Petrified Forest which is beautiful and fascinating in itself, and within the same park is the Painted Desert. Now that was a feast for the eyes. What a stunning landscape. The pinks, oranges, and reds of the desert against the blue sky is beyond stunning. That National Park happens to be on the historic route 66, which was another highlight for us. This was a beautiful, typical Arizona day, and I loved sharing it with my daughter.
