So it appears that each section of Route 66 has its own unique landscape. The mid-west has rolling hills, corn fields, little towns scattered all around. The little towns get fewer and farther between the further west we go. The landscape goes from green grassy fields to not-so-green grass, to desert bushes. We also go from soft rolling hills from Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas, to a more rugged landscape when you get into New Mexico and points west. You saw what I mean in m last post at Mesita. The landscape in Arizona is no different. Let me show you an example.

Also, in Arizona, pretty much everything is about the local Indian tribes. The souvenir stands are quickly moving from mom-n-pop shops to ones run by, in this case, Navajo.

They claim to have the largest teepee in the south west.

Some wall painting.

I also liked this rock formation.

Now, I suppose, if you have Indians .. then you must have a fort to protect the settlers. Isn’t that how it is in the movies?

Here it is from the front.

And if you have a fort .. you have to have a guard tower.

Now, however, comes some of the more spectacular scenes of the south west. We are now entering …

Here is the first shot, and I don’t think it’s the best.

Here’s a shot of the Painted Desert Inn. It doesn’t function as an Inn any longer. It is more of a visitor center and museum.

We decided to drive to the end of the line and work our way back. So, at the end is the …

So, there are these tree-looking things on the ground that have totally turned to rock. Here’s an example.

Now .. what happens to a piece of coal when subjected to millions of tons of pressure over an extended period of time? Don’t they say it turns into a diamond? I guess the same principle applies here, except diamonds is not what you get.

Here’s another example of quartzified wood.

The next one I found quite interesting. It appears that the left portion is untouched while the right is petrified.

Here’s another example of quartizified wood.

Did you know that petrified wood can be found in all 50 states as well as all the continents?

Now we get into a different color of the Painted Desert.

Check this one out.

Can you imagine walking across this bridge?

This next one shows the passage of time.

Can you guess what the next formations are called?

So .. the next spot is called Newspaper Rock. The reason they call it that is because there are more than 650 figures on the walls below.

Can’t see anything? How about a closer look?

But, you know, this is Route 66.

And this is what lands us in Winslow, AZ.