We jumped on Rt 40 and headed out of the Phoenix area. We had been to the Petrified Forest in late 1970's and a return trip was in order. We're glad we made the detour.
Shelly among the big logs
Believe it or not; the rocks and gravel you see here are actually bits of petrified wood eroded from the mudstone bluff in the background.
Painted desert view-last stop in Arizona
Our first stop in New Mexico along historic Rt. 66.
The lobby at El Rancho hotel. The original section was built in the late 1930's to house movie stars who were filming westerns (what else?) in the area. It's still a popular stop in Gallup.
Crystal bench in the lobby
We walked about a mile through back street neighborhoods to get to this family run restaurant. The food was delicious.
A short stop in Gallup is all you need- on to Santa Fe!