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We were done with the ballooning at around midday so we shot off to this little diner up on the hill overlooking Monument Valley for lunch. It is said that the little museum there used to be John Wayne’s office while filming many western movies in the area. The big idea for us was being able to sit down, grab the maps and plot the next stage.

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The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert were always spoken about but neither of us were convinced that it would have feasible. Now, looking at our current location, based on where we had been and what we had seen and done already, and where we needed to be heading, it now made sense to go south again. That path took us directly past the National Park. On the map it looks like two different places so we thought we had to choose when we got there since it was getting late but in reality they are one of the same thing. An easy drive through both. Awesome! Another wish completed.

To know more about the formation (geology) of the petrified Forest, click here:

Geology of the Petrified Forest

We figured now that being there was only one week left to complete the road trip that it was time to head back west again and back into California. That was too much for one day so we called DubDub and Stais again and told them we were heading back in their general vicinity. They said they were in Sedona which is a little way south of Flagstaff and it was settled, that’s where we would rest our heads that night. We pulled into town just in time to get a feed at an amazing restaurant a couple of miles from the place we were staying. DubDub had kindly checked us in and got us keys so we didn’t have to worry about that. After a great dinner and again wonderful company we hit the sack. 10pm is considered a late night when you have been up since 1AM.

The next morning we went for a Starbucks coffee which allowed me some online-time with the wicked T-Mobile hotspots that Starbucks offers. Starbucks may be expensive but they certainly are reliable even in the middle of nowhere. I managed to get some previously typed up posts posted and very quickly scanned emails and comments. (Again, please excuse the lack of responses to both, it’s just that I am usually pretty pressed for time. Thanks to all those who have responded and PLEASE keep them coming).

Before we left Sedona I did a little bit of research. In the Lonely Planet guide it describes Sedona as “the foremost New Age center in the Southwest and one of the most important anywhere. The term New Age loosely refers to a trend toward alternative explanations or interpretations of what constitutes health, religion, the psyche and enlightenment. Drawing upon new and old factual and mystical traditions from around the world, New Agers often seek to transform themselves psychologically and spiritually in the hope that such personal efforts will eventually transform the world at large”. “The four best-known vortexes, or high energy sites, where the Earths power is said to be the strongest felt, are in Sedona’s local red- rock mountains”. Basically it is a really pretty little town built on a red mountain full of crystal loving, psychic channeling, tarot card reading, New Age hippies. It was time to leave.

Next stop Ca-Li-For-Ni-A