February 15 Bluff, Utah

El Morro was a stopping point for Spanish explorers heading north from Mexico around 1500. The pond at the front of the picture was a rare source of water along what came to be called "the ancient way".


One of many Spanish inscriptions at El Morro


El Morro National Monument, New Mexico. There are inscriptiona on the cliff walls from as early as 1500


Ancient Way Cafe and RV Park near El Morro NM, elevation 7200 ft. The temperature dropped to -10 on Feb 10 and all our pipes froze. Much to our surprise, by noon the next day all was well with no damage to the plumbing!


Back to a lower elevation and warmer temperatures in the Petrified
Forest near Holbrook AZ.

Petrified forest, a total silicification of wood over millions of years near Holbrook AZ


Meteor Crater impacted 50,000 years ago near Winslow AZ. Finest example in the world. Crater almost 1 mile in diameter, and 700 feet deep.


Rug room at the Hubbell Trading Post


Navajo weaver at Hubbell Trading Post near Chinle AZ


Canyon de Chelly cut into sandstones of the same name,Permian age. Valley farmed by Anasazi for several 100 years until abandoned circa 1250 BCE.



Ruins of an Anasazi village built into the canyon sometime before 1200 BCE


Canyon de Chelly from the north rim


The Navajo grow corn, peaches and other crops in the valleys of Canyon de Chelly.

Since our last blog, we have travelled from El Morro in New Mexico to several interesting spots in northeastern Arizona including the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, the Meteor Crater and Canyon de Chelly. Today we drove along the north rim of Canyon de Chelly and then north to Bluff,Utah where we are camped tonight. Tomorrow we head back into Arizona through Monument Valley.