On our way back down from the mountains, we visited our fourth and final park of the day … Hello Tuzigoot National Monument! Again, we were in awe! The blonde rocks from the Verde Valley melt into the landscape and we loved adventuring around the sacred grounds (again … Ryder was such a fun adventure buddy today!
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We so enjoyed our awesome hike at Walnut Canyon National Monument and taking in all of the scenic views … plus the 736 stairs at 6,690 feet elevation! People often ask me what is my favorite park and I always reply back that it is really challenging to even pick my one favorite part of a park, And that I love them all cause they are all so unique and so full of surprises. Walnut Canyon National Monument was exactly that … one big beautiful, educational and stunning surprise! Over 800 years ago, the Sinagua (Spanish for “without water”) people lived in these cliff dwellings and called this canyon their home. I think the NPS should rename this park Sinagua Canyon in their honor.
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It is awesome to walk inside the 11,000 year-old pueblo structures at Wupatki National Monument. We first toured the Wukoki Pueblo and we were surprised to be the only ones there. It was very spiritual to be on such sacred ground … on a Saturday … and to be the only humans around. Then we visited the Wupatki Pueblo at the Vistor’s Center and I secured my stamp. Next we hiked up the Citadel Pueblo and were greeted by only two other nature lovers on the trail. And lastly, we were down to the Lomaki Pueblo and took in the view from a distance. How fortunate are we that these structures were preserved and can teach us so much about the ancient civilizations that inhabited this land.
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We started the day at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, a cinder cone in the sky! The Ranger was super friendly and was excited about our exploration goals in nature for the day. The dusting of snow was a very cool contrast to the black lava.
Today marks my biggest day in NPS Unit visits with Ryder and I visiting four parks in one day … a huge accomplishment! Ryder really surprised me as being super adventurous all day, so I am so ever hopeful he will become a park chaser with me.
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