5in29: Day 17-18
2024-12-27 ~ 12-28. Aztec, NM to Flagstaff, AZ
Attraction #1: Four Corners National Monument
After spending time at Chaco Ruins and Aztec Ruins, visiting the Four Corners became a must-do.
This is a spot where four states meet: AZ, CO, NM, UT.
One can find lots of interesting stories about disputes and lawsuits among the states.
The location is in the middle of no where. We drove and drove and then there was the monument.
Sheds were on four sides surrounding the monument for local vendors to sell crafts and souvenirs. I bought a T-shirt after chatting with a seller (feeling sorry for him standing in the cold and answering my questions). I bought a sweat-shirt from a different person after he said he designed the back and his daughter designed the front—how sweet! Especially when his daughter designed the front. I think it was her idea of using the pink color too. Their signatures are at the bottom of the images. I put on the sweat-shirt as soon as I got back to the van!
DEBATE: Should I count CO and UT as states in this trip?? That will make the title of the travelogue “7in29.” But, is that fair? What’s your suggestion?
Roman considered both CO and UT as additional states during this trip because we spent time by walking around on the properties of these states, including buying some T-shirts and taking photos.
I normally consider having visited a state/city/country with the following criteria and Boolean formula: #1 AND (#2 OR #3 OR #4)
#1.The place is outside the airport (I have had so many connections across the world and thought it is unfair to count those cities or countries);
#2. I spend a night there;
#3. I have a meal;
#4. I spend money in the place;.
Attraction #2: Petrified Forest National Park
We entered the park from the north side. After getting the map, guide, lunch, etc. we went on a 28-mile drive toward the south entry.
There are many pull-overs along the way. The guide lists 12 highlights of the park.
We only quickly went through 9 of them before the sunset at 5:15 PM. We left the park after seeing many warning signs everywhere: “Be inside your car by 5:30 PM or you could be eaten by hungry coyotes.”
The next day, we went back to the park again—more evidence that I really love national parks!
We hiked Blue Mesa, visited the rest of the pull-overs we didn’t get to do yesterday.
FUN FACTS: According to the park Rangers, petrified trees are everywhere in the world—every state and every country have them. They just aren’t exposed to the surface yet. The Petrified Forest National Park has the largest exposed collection of petrified trees.
Talking about petrified trees, there is one right outside the KOA Campsite. This piece is 200 million years old! Looking around, I found many small pieces of petrified wood on the campsite. Each piece is heavy enough to stay on the ground.
We were guided by other visitors/campers (who we met on our journey) about the world’s largest petrified tree at Geronimo Trading Post, not far from the park. All pieces were from the same tree. The standing part has 6 feet under the ground and is about 7 feet tall.
Attraction #3: Sunset Crater Volcano National Park
I had high hopes of seeing a volcano crater. But this place does not have one.
It is inside the Coconino National Forest.
In comparison to all other places we went, I was most disappointed by this one.
Yet, it is still pleasant to take photos, breath the forest freshness, and drive around.
Van Life:
It was cold the whole day and would be 24 degrees at night. We decided to camp in the KOA site in Holbrook, AZ for Night 17 and KOA Holiday in Flagstaff for Night 18.