Northern Arizona Road Trip April 2015

Northern Arizona Road Trip April 2015

 We had a three day weekend and decided to stay right here in Arizona and explore parts of the state.  We were not disappointed. 

 Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

 “Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has been in the making for thousands of years. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.”

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/ 

The Painted Desert 

 “For an unforgettable encounter with Arizona nature, take a trip to the Painted Desert area. A broad region of rocky badlands encompassing more than 93,500 acres, this vast landscape features rocks in every hue – from deep lavenders and rich grays to reds, oranges and even pinks. Located in Northern Arizona, the Painted Desert stretches from Grand Canyon National Park eastward to Petrified Forest National Park, with a large portion lying within the Navajo Nation.”

 http://visitarizona.com/places-to-visit/arizona-parks-monuments/the-painted-desert

Petrified Forest National Park

“A Place for Discovery - Did you know that Petrified Forest is more spectacular than ever? While the park has all the wonders known for a century, there are many new adventures and discoveries to share. There are backcountry hikes into areas never open before such as Red Basin and little known areas like the Devil's Playground. There are new exhibits to bring the stories to life. Come rediscover Petrified Forest!” 

 http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

 Canyon De Chelly

 “A Place Like No Other...  For nearly 5,000 years, people have lived in these canyons - longer than anyone has lived uninterrupted anywhere on the Colorado Plateau. Their homes and images tell us their stories. Today, Navajo families make their homes, raise livestock, and farm the lands in the canyon. The National Park Service and Navajo Nation actively work together to manage park resources.”

http://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm 

As is often the case, we met a photographer as we explored Canyon De Chelly.  He was also a Nikon shooter, so he offered to let me use his lens for a couple of shots.  I was most appreciative to use the Nikkor 300/2.8 with a 2X converter.  We talked photography a bit and I took away a couple of fun images.  Check out some of his great photography on his page at http://www.wesgrimesphotography.com 

 We also took a trip down Redington Road just outside of San Manuel, AZ on our Easter Sunday drive.  Found some cool desert blooms to finish off our road trip.  Thanks for looking and feel free to comment and share. 

Thanks for hanging in until the end.  Feel free to comment and share.