Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

Gnome getting a chance to get out of the car. Ruben and Spencer finished the Jr. Ranger Program at the Petrified Forest visitor center. Proud boys with their badges and patch.

Petrified Forest gift shop

Ruben was truly amazed at all of the fine rocks, gems, and large pieces that we saw a the gift shop just outside of the Petrified Forest National Park. This picture of Ruben with the amethyst shows his amazement at such a beautiful piece.

Arizona cactus

I saw this cactus growing out of a piece of petrified wood. I love seeing all of different plants.

New Mexico...

Albuquerque had some beautiful art while driving I-40 E. You can see one of the sculptures that I was able to snap while driving past. The weather was pretty extreme too. There was sun, rain, clouds, lightening. The clouds and sun created a rainbow that was magnificent. The shadows and the sun even made the system of high ways look gorgeous too.

Weatherford, Oklahoma...a short stop

We have decided to drive right through the shortest part of Texas. We stopped in a little town called Weatherford to get windsheild wipers since it rained all through New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma along with lightening and wind. While driving through town we found the library and decided to take a look to use wi-fi and read a few stories. It was a small and pleasant library. We all acknowledged the fact that we are spoiled in Florence with the Siuslaw Public Library as well as our Children's librarian. We miss the summer reading program in Florence, but keep reading as we travel.

Sleeping in Arkansas tonight...Comfort Inn is quite comfortable

Last day at Zion

The last day at Zion we decided to get a motel room instead of campingin the heat again. We were all exhausted from hiking and camping, and looking for a little AC. We found the Zion Park Motel, it even had a salt water pool and a slide. We were delighted to say the least, the kids could of stayed here all summer! Our next photo is Tres and the boys with a couple of bikers. We met them at Mt. Carmel Junction just outside Zion on the the way to Kanab, Arizona. They were eager to share their roadtrip experiences and so were we. Really nice people from Alabama.