Remembering Wupatki and Sunset Crater

Arizona has so many extraordinary places to visit, and Denis and I have been to quite a few. We also liked to show many of them to family and friends. North of Flagstaff are two of my favorites, Wupatki and Sunset Crater. 

Wupatki is the remains of a remarkable Native American community set in an area of alpine mountains, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, and one of the largest volcanic fields in the United States. This area is definitely a place that will wear out your camera batteries-- and don't forget to bring along extra memory cards! (I know, I know... you'll probably just have your phone!)

Come along with me while I amble down Memory Lane...

Exploring Wupatki with snow on the San Francisco peaks in the background.

Atop The Citadel with the Painted Desert in the background. Sometimes The Citadel is closed to the public because golden eagles have been known to nest there.

This pueblo preserves 104 rooms, a ballcourt, and a natural blowhole. The pueblo is in the background with the circular ballcourt in the foreground.

I love how the builders incorporated existing boulders.

A blowhole is a crevice in the earth's crust that appears to breathe. When we took our niece there, it was breathing out. On another trip, it was inhaling. (I hope the video works!)

Wukoki is my favorite of the ruins here.

Cinder cones that are such a part of Wupatki and Sunset Crater.

There are also lava flow trails you can take at Sunset Crater.

I think I'd better stop before I go wild posting photos. There is so much to see in Arizona, and I'm so happy that I've got to experience a great deal of it.