Painted Desert at Petrified Forest Nation Park

 It was unfortunate that the front part of our trip through the desert southwest took place during the government shutdown of 2018.  We had planned to stay in Holbrook (a journey KOA) and hop over to stand on a corner in Winslow.  When we got there Lori noticed we would be close to the Meteor Crater site and Petrified National Forest so we planned an extra day.  Knowing the shutdown would affect National Park operations I inquired at the desk and was told that Grand Canyon remained and Petrified Forest was closed.  However, the Pained Desert section of the park remained accessible and that hiking was still permitted.  This set us off to the Park office off of I-40 (Old Rte 66) and find that a couple of rangers are manning the station.  The road that you could use to drive through Petrified National Forest is closed due to the shutdown but the hiking trails still remain open and the park is patrolled.  

 So we get a quick ‘lay-of-the-land’ brief from the ranger as well as some additional information on attractions on other paths and head out. We headed for the Pained Desert Inn. In its almost 100 years overlooking the Painted Desert, the inn has undergone many changes. The original building from the early 1920s was made of petrified wood. Today's adobe facade dates to the 1930s renovation of the Painted Desert Inn. 

Typically the inn serves as a museum, with no overnight accommodation and food service. Displays inside the building highlight the building's history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are also restored murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. Unfortunately for Lori and I the inn was closed due to the shutdown.  The hike to the inn was an easy few miles (1.5 to 2) and the views are remarkable.  It was probably an easy hike because the views keep you moving at a relatively slow pace to take it all in.  If you ever get to visit the Petrified Forest I would recommend the foot hike to the pained desert inn and back before driving down the road.  While the hiking trail parallels the road there are many turns and if you are the driver you will get to miss out on so much.