The Impact Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona: Exploring a Natural Wonder

"Well, I'm standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona"......  not exactly on a corner, but on the edge.... of a massive crater! I could not quit hearing those song lyrics in my head the whole time we were there! 😃

My husband and I were headed to Sedona on Interstate 40 and saw a sign saying the crater was ahead. We were ready for a break from ridding, so we took the exit to see it. After driving miles through a cow pasture, we came upon the massive crater and visitor center.

Located  in Northern Arizona, the impact crater was formed from a meteor that hit Earth thousands of years ago.  It is about a mile wide, a mile across, and more than 550 feet deep.

Several observation platforms are located around and at different depths for great viewing of the crater.

The crater was used for training  the NASA astronauts in preparation for the Apollo missions to the Moon in the 1960s and 1970s.

Admission:

  Adults $18.00
•    Seniors $16.00 (age 60 years and over)
•    Juniors $9.00 (age 6 through 17 years)
•    5 and under are free

Hours:

Memorial Day to Labor Day we will be open from:   7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Non-summer hours:   8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Address:

Meteor Crater Enterprises, Inc.
Interstate 40, Exit 233
Winslow, AZ 86047 USA

Happy Travels! 

Exploring the Rich Artistic Heritage of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Arizona

Nestled in the heart of Sedona, Arizona lies the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, a unique destination that celebrates the rich artistic heritage of Mexico. Founded in the 1970s by a group of artists and architects, this beautiful complex is a hub for artists and craftspeople, and a mecca for art lovers.

The name Tlaquepaque comes from a town in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is known for its vibrant arts and crafts scene. The Sedona village is modeled after this town and features stunning Spanish colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and lush courtyards. The village covers six acres and houses more than 40 art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.

Wander through the charming streets and discover an array of handmade crafts, from pottery and blown glass to jewelry and textiles. The village also showcases a wide range of fine art, including paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces. Every corner of the complex is a feast for the senses, with colorful mosaics, intricate wood carvings, and beautiful fountains.

One of the highlights of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is its commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Many of the artists who work here use techniques that have been passed down through generations, such as hand-painting ceramics or weaving intricate textiles. Visitors can watch these artisans at work in their studios, and even take classes to learn the skills themselves.

In addition to its art and craft offerings, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is also a foodie's paradise. The village is home to several restaurants and cafes, each with its own unique flair. You can savor authentic Mexican cuisine, sip margaritas in a charming courtyard, or indulge in gourmet chocolates and pastries.

Overall, a visit to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is an experience that will delight and inspire. Whether you're an art lover, a history buff, or just looking for a fun day out, this charming complex has something for everyone. 

Address:

336 AZ-179

 Sedona, AZ 86336

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Petrified Forest National Park: A Journey Through Time

The Petrified Forest National Park is located in the northeastern part of Arizona off of Interstate 40. We drove the 28-mile drive through the park, starting at the visitor center  in the Painted Desert and ending at the visitor center in the Petrified Forrest.

This was my husbands favorite place that we visited in Arizona. It is amazing, but I equally loved Sedona and the Saguaro National Park. Actually, I loved everything about Arizona! 😊

 There are many overlooks and places to hike along the route. Park Map

Some of the fossils found in the park indicate that the area was once a tropical region.

More than 200 million years ago, flourishing trees and vegetation covered much of this area of Northeastern Arizona. Volcanic lava destroyed the forest and the remains were covered until erosion set them free, revealing the petrified wood.

Petroglyph drawings on rock surfaces are visible within the park. These markings indicate that ancient native people inhabited this region about 10,000 years ago.

The beautiful colors in the petrified wood come mainly from three minerals. The white is pure quartz, manganese oxides form blue, purple, black, and brown, and iron oxides provide hues from yellow through red to brown.

The two men standing by one of the logs really show off the size of these pieces of petrified wood!

I would highly recommend a visit to this park. The history and nature are amazing!

Address:

Petrified Forest National Park
1 Park Road
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028





Happy Travels! 

The Painted Desert: A Natural Masterpiece in Arizona

The Painted Desert is an expansive region of rocky badlands and buttes, encompassing more than  93,500 acres in Northern Arizona.

This vast landscape features layers of rock in hues of lavender, red, orange ,pink, and gray. The various colors are the result of the different mineral content of the sandstone, mud stone, and shale of the Chinle Formation. It is amazing how beautiful dirt and rocks can be!

The section of the Painted Desert that we visited is located in the northern part of the Petrified Forest National Park. Take exit 311 going east or west on I-40.

I would recommend allowing at least a couple of hours for the 28-mile drive through the park. The first part, north of the interstate, will be the Painted Desert. The rest of the drive is the Petrified Forest. Both have many place to stop and walk around.

Address:

1 Park Road, PO Box 2217
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Happy Travels! 

Discovering the Cactus Forest at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona

The Saguaro National Park is divided into two sections. They are located on either side of the city of Tucson, Arizona. 

The park is named after the saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment.

In the eastern Rincon Mountain District, Cactus Forest Drive is a paved eight mile drive with beautiful views of the desert. There are many pull overs and hiking trails on the route.

There are around 1200 species of plants in the Rincon Mountain District and about 400 species in the Tucson Mountain District.

 The saguaro cactus is the largest of the 25 species of cactus located in the park. It can grow up to 60 feet tall and weigh up to 4800 pounds. If the conditions are right, it can live up to 200 years.

All of these photos were taken on the drive in the Rincon Mountain district.

Address:

3693 S Old Spanish Rd

Tucson, AZ 85730

Happy Travels! 

Sky Ranch Lodge (Review) Sedona, Arizona

The Sky Ranch Lodge is located on top of a mesa and has some of the best views in Sedona. This was our favorite spot for hiking and watching the sunset.

It is conveniently located across the road from the airport, and close to shopping and sightseeing.

A short walk puts you at one of the most popular overlook in Sedona. This area gets crowded, especially at sunset.

The location is very convenient for hiking to the airport vortex. The trail head is located at the back of the parking lot just across the main road.

The property features an outdoor pool with waterfall and a large hot tub.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped with walkways, bridges, sitting areas, and fish ponds located throughout.

There are many choices for accommodation options. We chose one with a kitchenette at the back of the property with a garden view.. We would have loved to have had one with a mesa view at the front of the property, but they were all booked when we made reservations. 

We loved everything about the lodge, but the views from the patio were amazing!

Relaxing on the patio and watching the sunset is the main attraction at the lodge. It's easy to understand why that is by this photo I took on our last night there. 

Address:

 1105 Airport Rd

 Sedona, AZ 86336

Happy Travels!