Petrified Forest (End of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Lewistown, Montana Post)

Today, we hiked to the Petrified Forest as we planned. The Petrified Forest in Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the third largest in the country.  Petrified wood is created when dissolved minerals seep into wood, and over a span of millions of years, crystalize.  The petrified wood in this park once thrived in an area similar to the Florida Everglades.  Swampy, and home to prehistoric alligators and crocodiles.  This has been deciphered through geologic evidence in the rocks.   In this petrified forest, some pieces of wood are up to ten feet.  This section of the park was really remote and pretty, as there were no roads leading directly to the wood and that you had to hike in.  

Mom and Dad by some lovely petrified wood.

Macro of the petrified wood. 

This is the view from one end of the Petrified Forest.  Although they may appear small, the petrified wood was actually quite large and plentiful.  

One of the largest pieces within the forest.  

Dad hugging his large piece of petrified wood.  

Can you spot the dog?  (Not real, within the wood.)

 

Do you like Dad's new sombrero?  The color suits him, don't you think?

After, we saw some oil equipment, and I told my family the method used was frakking, or hydraulic fracturing.  However, they didn't believe me, but I was ultimately right! :)

We drove all the way through the rest of North Dakota, and into Montana.  That meant my book and more of my favorite candy! (Tootsie pops! :D ) Tomorrow, we will probably reach Glacier National Park, one of the parts of the trip I am looking most forward to!  I can really understand why Montana is called the "Big sky country."  The sky is so big and blue and looks as if is stretches on forever, you can see so far.  

Amy

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Medora, North Dakota Post)

Welcome to Theodore Roosevelt National Park!  This park was founded in 1947.  Shortly after Roosevelt's death, it was decided to honor this great man and conservationist.  Many ideas were bounced around, but turning the area where he gained his conservationist ideas during his cattle-ranching days into a national park was eventually chosen.  The park is home to many diverse wildlife species and landforms.  

The Painted Canyon and North Dakota Badlands

Buffalo (latin name bison bison) strolling down the road past our RV.  

Something interesting about the rock: even though it looks almost sandlike, its actually very hard, well, like a rock...

The local wildlife looks rather friendly.  

Wild horses on the hill.  

Dad in front of the badlands.  

Views so pretty even a dog can enjoy them!

Bison grazing.  Can you spot the babies lying down?

We went on a trail ride around the park.  It was amazing to see the park from that perspective, because you were down in the valleys and on the hills with the wildlife.  The horse I rode was named Rascal, Karen was mounted on Stormy, Dad rode Dude, and Mom rode Tigger.  The horses were really well behaved and quite calm.  It was really a fun way to spend the afternoon.

We are staying in Medora again tonight, and are planning to hike out to the Petrified Forest in the park. That should lead to some interesting photos in tomorrow's post!