I'm new at this blog business and have scrambled the order of this trip some so I'll list it here and then the order will make more sense. We went first to Shelly's in Colorado Springs, then to Albuquerque and then to Canyon de Chelly and the rest of the order makes sense. I entered the Colorado and NM info first but then the rest as a group. It was a wonderful two weeks.

Canyon de Chelly-

On our way to Canyon de Chelly we stopped at Hubble Trading Post. It is the oldest continuously operated trading post in the USA. Mike picked up a book on the Navajos and I enjoyed asking a few questions about weaving. It was a nice break. We drove on up and saw some of Canyon de Chelly after we checked into our motel in Chinle and we were so glad. It was amazing. This monument is the blend of past tradition and present culture. You see current farms at the bottom of the canyon with the ruins next door.

The reason that we were so glad that we went on up to the canyon when we got there was that there were inches of snow (that had not been forecast) when we got up the next morning.

Petrified Forest National Park

We moved on down to the Petrified Forest National Park. What an amazing place. I had NO idea that a huge forest had covered that area of the desert and now it is a petrified forest.

This is a picture of a bridge made of a petrified log. It was first supported in 1912 and then the cement was done in 1917. Currently they would just leave it and let if fall. I think that I am grateful that it was supported so that we could see it as it would have been.

The whole area is covered with petrified wood that is so beautiful. Notice the long, long log that has fallen into pieces but must have been massive. The color variety was amazing.

Snowflake and Taylor

We went on southwest to Snowflake and hunted for a while until we found the Temple there. Our friends tell us that the decor is southwestern. No pictures, I'm sorry to say but we went from there to spend the evening with some dear friends from our first year it Heber Valley Camp, Elaine and Duane Hensley. We had great food, a lovely tour of the area and Mike and Duane went out hunting for pottery pieces and petrified wood on a ranch where Duane used to work in the morning.

Mesa

We left on Tuesday afternoon and drove to Mesa where we met other missionary friends, the Carters. We had the best Mexican food I have ever tasted that night. On Wednesday morning we visited Lost Dutchman State Park. It had a wonderful cactus garden walk. The Superstition mountains behind it made a dramatic picture.

We spent the afternoon at the motel. Mike slept and the Carters and I spent the afternoon in the pool. That night we walked over to the Mesa Temple grounds and saw the annual Easter pageant, Jesus the Christ. It was very well done.

Hoover Dam

On our way to Las Vegas we went over Hoover Dam. They are building a new bridge above the dam so that do one will be driving directly on the dam in the future. It will be over 1,000 feet above the river. The job that the men are doing is simply amazing.

Las Vegas

The Carters were able to arrange a condo in Las Vegas for Thursday evening. We unloaded the vehicles then went down to the Bellagio for their outstanding buffet. It is the best we have tried there. That evening my brother Royden and his wife Chris came for a nice visit and then we headed home in the morning. We had snow from St. George until we arrived home. It was a great trip.