Petrified Forest, Painted Forest, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (Border to Border - Day Two)

On May 25, my companions (my daughter and grandson) and I left Show Low and drove through the tidy communities of Shumway and Snowflake, set in attractive rolling grassy hills dotted with juniper and sage. Snowflake is as idyllic a turn-of-the (19th)-century village as one can imagine, like Willoughby from the Twilight Zone series. Even if you don't remember Twilight Zone, you'll certainly remember Cars, and the town of Holbrook, about 30 north of Snowflake, must be the model for Radiator Springs.

Holbrook, AZ

Holbrook is a good place to gas up, but don't expect a dining destination. From Holbrook, two routes lead to Petrified National Forest: southeast on 180 will take a visitor to the southern end, which features a short hike through the Crystal Forest, where lies the greatest concentration of petrified trees. Driving east on I-40 and north on the park visitor center road will land you in the Painted Desert. My companions and I opted to walk the short trail from Tawa Overview to the Painted Desert Inn. The walk affords spectacular views of the painted desert, and the Inn is a priceless example of the Pueblo Revival style.

Painted Desert, Painted Desert Inn, Pueblo Revival detail

Back on 1-40, we turn north on 191, through scenic red mesa and juniper country of the Navajo nation. At Ganado, we dogleg left on 264 and make a detour to the Hubbell Trading Post National Historical Site, where we spend an enjoyable 30-45 minutes exploring. (By the way, in the photo of the sheep [goat?], the critter has two sets of horns. Never seen anything like it.)

Details from Hubbell Trading Post NHS