This Post Is Hot Lava

So for our last day in northern Arizona we didn’t have plans. Since we have driven through Flagstaff 1,873,845 times and we rarely stop there were a couple of things I have always wanted to see.

One of those things was Wupatki. I had no idea what it was, but it had to be awesome with a name like that.

We found out Wupatki is a large pueblo, or at least what is left of it.

I took a ton of pictures…because the place was just incredible.

I liked how this part looked like a face.

This round area was used as a meeting area.

Big J used it as a meditation area.

But is also worked well for his prairie dog impersonation.

We followed the guide and learned as we toured around the area. Oh wait, that’s just Big Daddy reading the info pamphlet.

The kidlets headed off to the sports court.

This is where they played games and they also used it to store water during the rainy season.

Big J wanted to see what was on the other side…even with this sign.

This is another pueblo nearby that is almost completely collapsed.

It didn’t say why rocks were different in this area. Probably someone who got bored of the same red rock in every wall and decided to jazz it up a bit…or not.

There is one area where you can actually go in one of the rooms. Here it is filled wall to wall with Chaos.

This room was a burial chamber. After burying someone they used rubble to fill in the door

and the windows. You better hope they didn’t bury you by mistake.

In this one room there is one of the original vigas and is over 800 years old. How they know that for sure I don’t know, but the flyer said so and we believed it.

I am so glad we finally had a chance to tour the area so the next time we drive by the sign I don’t feel like we are missing something.

Einstein found this rock that when he knocked on it sounded completely hollow.

There wasn’t a snack shop anywhere around, but they were nice enough to point out the refreshments for us.

I wanted proof that I had actually been there since I wasn’t in any of the other pictures.

After leaving Wupatki we stopped by Sunset Crater.

This is the site of a volcanic eruption of almost 1000 year ago. The scientist are studying why there are still no trees growing on the south face of the volcano.

The lava flows are right in the middle of such beautiful scenery.

There was a bridge over the narrow part of the flow.

On the other side of the bridge is a small trail that leads to a trail that we thought might be a bit much for the littles. They started on the trail.

And I was able to get a few pictures.

After that we split up and the Boyz and I continued on the trail.

It was strange to see trees growing right out of the lava flow.

And in other places there was nothing growing out of such harsh surroundings.

The trees along the trail were twisted like salt water taffy.

Considering my trail mates I am lucky I made it back.

In case you were wondering I did not jump the tree roots in the trail. I thought about it, but changed my mind at the last minute.

These are some of the other inactive volcanoes that surround the area.

After finding the rest of the family

and taking a few more pictures

it was time for us to head back to Flagstaff.

We had this beautiful view for our drive back. Yes, that is snow in Arizona in October.

And keeping with the wildlife theme of the weekend I am so glad we so this little guy before we got back on the highway.

We had a great time exploring our great state…and there is still more for us to see!