20-February-2024 Paperwork ..... or Parks?

I had intended to take today off from exploring to finally get some much-needed paperwork done. I have to do my own taxes, pull some things together from my mom, and get around to lots of neglected emails and other things. I worked in my hotel room for about 3 hours this morning .... but the sun was shining in my window and I decided that since tomorrow is supposed to be a showery day that I would take advantage of nice weather today and get out and do some exploring instead .... paperwork can wait till it's a crappy day out!

A friend in Gallup had suggested that while in Flagstaff I explore 3 of their national monuments, so I headed out to nearby Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and WOW was I ever surprised to be transported into a totally different world!

Upon entering the park, when you look to your left alongside of the road you notice that there is a 15–20 foot deep black lava flow. And it just keeps getting more interesting!

Unfortunately my pictures just don't do it justice because the ground and the rocks and the lava flow were all totally black I felt like I was walking on the surface of the moon .... only to learn that indeed all Apollo astronauts did their lunar training here. What a great place to test out vehicles and drilling techniques. The history of this place is that about 1000 years ago a volcano erupted and from its base a lava flow began streaming out. The top of the flow hardened quickly but the layers below continued moving and boiling and eventually the pressure below would rupture the hardened lava above causing large chunks of black molten material to be strewn about. Repeat that a few times and you have the large rivers of black lava chunks all around. I did a small mile long loop around the base of a cinder cone and over the lava flow and then drove up You are to look into the crater of the volcano. It's rather mind-boggling that the ground there - and for many miles around - is pure black.

I learned when I entered the National Monument that there is a 20 mile road that leads from this NM directly to Wupatki National Monument (another 2-for-1 similar to painted desert and petrified forest). As you drive down from the volcano towards Wupatki you see the beautiful painted desert in the background - never ceases to amaze. Wupatki NM contains the remains of a Pueblo community that thrived in the early 1100s. They were expert masons and created large buildings (and small cities) that are a marvel to behold. There are several different areas of ruins that I enjoyed exploring and I was also fascinated by the beautiful landscape – the yellow grasses growing in the black granular soil were really stunning.

Todays WILD Idea: don't be fooled thinking that a national monument is not as incredible as a national park. Officially, the difference is that a national park is created due to scenic, inspirational, educational and recreational value. A national monument has objects of historical, cultural and or scientific interest. They are both managed by the national park service and often a national monument does not become a national park because the process is so arduous. A president can sign an order creating a national monument, but to become a national park requires an act of Congress. Also some national monuments don't want to become a national park because they just don't have the infrastructure to handle excessive amounts of visitors. But don't overlook these gems! If you have a national park pass (A bargain at only $80 when often the charge is $25 per car to enter just one site) you get into both National monuments and national parks with the same annual pass.

Today's other nugget of wisdom: save your paperwork for a rainy day and take advantage of the sunshine when you can!