The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert NP

We left Williams AZ yesterday headed for New Mexico and ended up in Church Rock NM near Gallup. This used to be a state park that is now run by the City of Church Rock. It is a large complex with a large campground, I think they have close to 200 sites. We are the only ones here, our private campground. A fifth Wheel came in last night when we did but they left this morning. They have very nice heated showers with lots of hot water and electric water hookups. The campground is surrounded by high red cliffs, and their are hiking trails. They hold Rodeos and a Hot Air Balloon Festival here every year. It's about six hundred and fifty acres, just for us.
On the way here we stopped off and visited the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert, WOW was that interesting. When the volcanoes erupted millions of years ago it buried everything instantly and killed everything. They have discovered so many Prehistoric animals here and have them on display in their Museum. The Painted Desert is beautiful and seems to go on forever.

Petrified Log

There were some big trees millions of years ago.

The colors inside the trees are beautiful.

This cat adopted Lynn

These are Petrographic drawings at the Indian Ruins from 800 years ago.

The ruins of an ancient Pueblo

The Painted Dessert

This morning it was only 16 degrees here so we are moving south as soon as my friend Doug stops by. The night before we left Williams AZ it dropped to 25 degrees and our water hookup froze solid. I had to use a propane torch just to get my hose off and turn the water off. I learned my lesson so now we are just using the water in our tank it is inside so it won't freeze unless we do. We have been using an electric heater at night and it keeps the motor home at about 60 degrees, good for sleeping. In the morning we kick on the furnace and bring it up to 70 degrees. It gets in the 60's during the day and is very sunny. Yu-all have a good week.