Four Corners - New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona

Memorial dedicated to the only meeting point for four states. Surrounding booths are staffed by tribes displaying and selling native handicrafts of all four States. The drive thru New Mexico to reach the Four Corners memorial passes by many scenes used in the making of western movies, including Shiprock Pinnacle. In a non-populated area so give yourself time to reach a final destination prior to nightfall.



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The Story behind the picture
All four corners were represented by native tribes who sold goods celebrating their historical past.




John`s Comments

Found it quite interesting to view each quadrant specifically and note the different rock formations of each state. There is a noticable
difference that he had encountered during this mid west trip that spanned all four states. Colorado had the Rocky Mountains, Utah the
Sandstone formations where water had eroded and created wondrous formations, Arizona where erosion had created mountain Pinnacles
and the Grand Canyon and finally New Mexico with great sand dunes and butte formations.

John`s Recollections

Being able to straddle the four corners and view the surrounding sites is quite a feat. What did impress me the most though, was how in
each of the four corners the various Indian tribes had set up their different products for sale. The surrounding area provides many of the
background pictures used in movie scenes of the wild west frontier.

Walnut Canyon - Arizona

This National Park area shows the efforts expended by natives 400-500 years ago, in the building of homes into the facing of the cliff walls. Amazingly the structures have survived quite well over the years. Access however is limited to those that are capable of climbing and walking on the paths which at times are quite narrow with drops of many feet.

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The Story behind the picture
Must be truthful here. Heading over to see the Petrified Forest and an item in a travel book piqued our interest. We were impressed!  

Painted Desert - Arizona

The Painted Desert is part of the Petrified Forest National Park. Here the dunes take on very mixed and vibrant color formations. The area stretches for miles upon miles with quite pleasing views where one can stop as you drive thru this portion of the park. Did not really expect this, as the Petrified desert was the destination, but I enjoyed this more.
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The Story behind the picture
Painted desert is rather an appropriate name for this area. One does not think that the sand would be colored in such beautiful colors. It does hold your attention.   

Petrified Forest - Arizona

The petrified forest from a visitor perspective is rather a small portion of the park that includes the painted forest and historic ruins. The most prominent area includes the remains of many trees that now appear as rock. The quartz like formations with superb color formations make for an interesting stop. A main walking area had many of the former trees laying on the ground, broken up like someone had cut them for wood. Do not think you could split them easily though.
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The Story behind the picture
Sure that what we encountered was not the extent of the exhibition, but I was more impressed with the painted desert.   

Drive highlights - Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake, in Arizona

This drive from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake in mid Arizona is not for the faint at heart. Steep grades & rough roads are commonplace. However, for those that are daring, here is a drive that will not be forgotten. I still can visualize the drive down an unpaved road with curves every 100 feet and meeting a truck ascending the hill with a boat trailer on the back ( I thought it was a mountain ).
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The picture below was from the valley floor so we were able to complete the descent.

The Story behind the picture
An experience that brought back those memories of movies past, where Cowboys and Indians fought, where wagon trains were used to transport peoples across a country, where the west was won. This photo exemplifies those thoughts in my mind and I awaited each turn with the hope that heading the other way would be a stagecoach hauled by several horses, whips slashing against the air and guns a blazing.  Mind you, it did not happen, but then again, the possibilities may be there.  

Biosphere II - Arizona

Biosphere II was built to determine if man could live outside of earths` confines. Results were successful, however, little effort to duplicate the structures have been made. Now part of a University research facility, but when we were there it was still functioning as intended.
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Tombstone - Arizona

If you can remember the Cowboy & Indian movies of the past, then here is a town that helps to retain some of the history. Walk down main street into one of the saloons and be prepared for a taste of the past, or see a depiction of the gunfight at OK Corral. Whatever, the name and tourist attractions will help to remind one of another day.
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Saguaro National Park - Arizona

This arid land is home to the cactus and the state park has many, short, fat, tall, but mainly the Saquaro, one of the tallest with a structure that has become common to many The western portion of Saguaro National Park has a State Park close by that also has an excellent display of cactii in the area. Video clip has good representation.
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Casa Grande Ruins - Arizona

Building over three storeys tall is the main item of attraction in an area populated with ruins from days gone by. It was the size and actual building structure that impressed me the most. Walls many inches thick and doorways that one did not have to crawl thru. Even though this is centuries old, it stood out to me as one of the most modern in the surrounding area.
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Montezuma Castle - Arizona

Cliff dwellings from the past. Interesting side-trip to view how natives created dwelling in the face of a cliff. Ladders were provided that allowed one to get up closer, much like must of happened in the past. Again one can see how people adapted to the environment and of those times. Even then fortification and security was a prime concern.
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The Story behind the picture
Did not make the climb up to the buildings as timing was limited. Was amazed though by how one would be able to build these buildings at that height.

Sedona - Arizona

Sedona should be visited by all if there is a little bit of romance in your life. The red rock formations are mesmorizing and the small town atmosphere is perfect for a short escape from reality. Plan on taking one of the jeep rides or visit the overlook for a view of the surrounding hills. It is the red rock formations that you will remember for ages.
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The Story behind the picture
The colors and shapes of the rock formations are quite pleasing to the eyes. Being located in a semi-arid region helps to create a contrast with the rest of landscape. The town is really not that large and that helped to visit many locations within a few hours time. For most, it is not an area that requires a lot of effort yet it provides for total relaxation in a region with excellent scenery.

Grand Canyon North Rim - Arizona

View here are not as scenic as on the south side, yet it still provides the beauty of the Canyon itself. One seems closer to the sides of the canyon and with that goes an added excitement level. Be particularly impressed by an overlook built out from the canyon walls that allow you to view hundreds of feet directly below.
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The Story behind the picture
Took this picture from a rock formation that jutted out into the canyon. What surprised me most were individuals that were climbing up a statue display in the center of that formation. Only 500+ feet down, with that formation only being 25 feet around!

Drive highlights - Page, Arizona to North Rim Grand Canyon, Arizona

The drive from Page, Arizona to the north rim of the Grand Canyon crosses the Colorado river. Even though the river cuts deeply into the canyon floor it is nothing compared to the depth exhibited at the Grand Canyon itself. This drive was excellent, over the Colorado river, beside the canyon walls and then the rise to escarpment plains. Good video portrayal.
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The Story behind the picture
This picture of the Colorado River shows the extent of carving out of the rocks. To a much greater extent the Grand Canyon some 50 miles downstream was much more noticable.

Lake Powell - Arizona

One of the most striking features here was the high waterline marking of years past. Lake Powell still continues to provide water activities for many with houseboats being the tourism season. Excursions can be taken to many points in this large expanse of water, with many areas providing additional attractions.
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The Story behind the picture
Picture of the dam, with Lake Powell in the background, and the Colorado river flows on towards the Grand Canyon. Pay special notice to the drop in the water level of Lake Powell.

Winslow ( Standing on the corner ) - Arizona

Prior to the Eagles, Winslow had a great history as a railroad town with the famous hotel Posado, but in today's world the Eagles provide that added incentive to have folks drop in. Spent an hour visiting near the downtown placque and followed that up with several more at the retored and functioning hotel Posado.
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Grand Canyon - Arizona

My personal favorite, and likely the favorite of many. Views are exceptional and time should be taken to experience one of our greatest natural treasures. It is so easy just to sit on one of the benches provided for several minutes and feast upon the views in front of you. This is one natural attraction where one should not rush the experience.
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The Story behind the picture

The words "Grand Canyon" do not really reflect how awesome a sight this is. First views normally are the favorites to many, however here that is not always so.  Have returned several times to the area and these
views and pictures from the south rim continue to stand out above all others. They take on a life of their own,  well beyond what is normally seen.  This is one place where you can sit yourself down, and just look at what is in front of you, and spend minutes or hours doing so without having any other movement other than the shadows on the canyon walls or the clouds above.