Petrified Forest

National Park 3/59

Petrified Forest  | 3.15.17 | Arizona | Coordinates 34.9100° N, -109.8068° W

 

Petrified Forest National Park transports you onto another planet. The trees literally transformed into rocks. The only thing familiar about the park is NPS entry sign.

After you pay the entrance fee and start driving you'll feel like you're on Mars. Make sure you stop at the visitors center and get a map. Immediately behind the visitors center is a small loop that holds the largest piece of petrified wood in the entire park! (woah.) Some of the logs are 218 million years old- absolutely insane. The loop only takes about 10-15 minutes.

There is only one road that in the park and it will take you from the entrance back to the highway. Everything to see in the park is off of this road. There are many small trail loops that are off the trail- some take 5 minutes to do and others 25 minutes. All these paths are paved its an extremely accessible park which is awesome. If you want to get off the main paths there are a couple places that use gps and are a couple miles long. 

It's a 2 mile hike from the visitors center to the Agate house (seen above). The Agate house is an 8 room pueblo made entirely from Petrified Wood. The NPS estimates that it was used in  1050-1300!

On your way back from the Agate house take the long logs trail- there's amazing views and it's a pleasant walk. You can see the pictures from the trail below. 

Overall Petrified is a funky park with amazing views. It's easy to tackle the park in one day- Even half a day if you're pressed for time. Make sure you stop in at the Visitors center they'll tell you everything you need to see in the park. 

Devils Bridge

Devils Bridge | 3.12.17 | Sedona, AZ | 34.889984 ° N, -111.819929 ° W

 

Devils Bridge is located in the red rock secret mountain wilderness of Sedona, AZ and it's the largest natural bridge in the area. 

It isn't far from the center of Sedona, about 5 minutes. To get to the trailhead take 89A to Dry Creek Rd and turn right onto Vultee Arch (the signs will tell you to continue on Dry Creek). When you turn onto Vultee Arch there will be a parking lot to your left, turn in here if you don't have 4WD or aren't comfortable off roading. If your cars a beast then the road will take you straight to the trailhead.

Make sure you get to the parking lot early- it fills up quick! There are a ton of hikes that leave from the same parking lot & it's not very big. If you get there after the lot has filled you'll have to park on Dry Creek Rd. If you parked in the lot (like us) then you'll be doing about a 4 mile hike out and back. If you parked on the road it's going to be a 4.5 mile hike out and back. If your car survived the road to the trailhead you'll only have a mile hike. 

 

From the Parking lot head back to Vultee Arch and start your hike. Keep an eye out for cars- they tend to fly down the road. 

The views along this trail are amazing. Clearly Leah was excited about them.

The rock formations are unreal out here. You're surrounded by tons of them and theres views everywhere you turn

The trail is off to the right, theres a sign at the break you can't miss it. 

Once you start the hike it isn't far to the bridge- take your time heading up there's great views. 

After one last climb you're there. Hang out and enjoy the views they were the best we saw. 

Devil's Bridge is an awesome place that seems to attract rad people. After you take your pictures on the bridge hang around for a bit. The views are great take them in and enjoy a snack. It's a lot of fun to see who comes up the trail, show some good karma and offer to take some pictures for people. When they offer the same for you you'll be grateful. 

As always, 

#LiveFullLiveHard

 

Sunday River

Sunday River | 1.14.17 | Newry, ME | 44.4672° N, 70.8472° W

 

I was born and raised in New England and have been to every state here except for Maine. The New Year had to start off with a bang so of course a weekend trip was in order. With friends like mine planning a trip like this was easy. The adventure spirit flows through our veins. It was the first ski trip of the season, after a long 9 months of waiting we were beyond ready. 

Two of us were leaving from Rhode Island, picking up Meg on the way in Massachusetts, and ending at Julia's house in Maine.

We crossed all three lanes on I-95, rushed into the breakdown lane, got honked at by 18-wheelers, and got some crazy looks but taking this picture was totally worth it.

Friday night was spent walking around downtown Portland. We took a ton of pictures and went into a million boutiques. After walking for an eternity we grabbed coffee from an amazing shop then had dinner at a restaurant called nosh (pro tip- they have flavored french fries! Do yourself a favor and get the salt & vinegar one's 10/10 would recommend). 

We woke up insanely early on Saturday and followed the sunrise to the mountain.

We skied for two days and we skied hard. Monday we went to the outlets and then headed back to the 401.

Sunday River is located in Newry, ME. They have 16 lifts and 9 different peaks. Two days of skiing there and we didn't even make it to all the peaks. 

Sunday River