On the way to the Grand Canyon, we stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park.
These trees are 50-200 million years old. 
The petrified trees look like precious gems when they are shining in the sun. As the trees died they were covered in sediment, then soaked up the water and silica from volcanic ash. Over time the trees crystallized into quartz.
It took the whole day to cover most of the park. There is a 28 mile park road with various trails, views and museums along the way. 
A rainbow of colours.
The Painted Desert was within the park. There were some amazing views of the historic landscape. Colourful bands of rock formed over 200 million years ago.
Some petroglyphs around 2,000 years old. Very interesting…
The Puerco Pueblo people used a shadow from a cleft in the rock to mark the solstices. They lived here in 1250-1380 AD. 
It was another great field trip for Madison.
We finally have some decent wifi and I am getting caught up on my posts. We are now back on Vancouver Island getting caught up on some chores.
B O J I D A 
What beautiful pictures. I can’t believe there was once a forest there…50-200 million years ago. The trees really do look like jewels. And the painted desert is amazing! Best field trip ever:) See you soon:)
The tree stumps really look like they are bejeweled. Amazing beauty!