Park life

It did not take us long to see why Chiang Mai is dubbed Thailand’s capital of culture. Strolling along the laid back streets we spotted temples and stupas on every corner and in every style. We frequently observed young Buddhist monks learning from their elders and teenagers rushing past us on motos to get to university. It is the perfect place to relax with a glass of iced coffee, just ask Matt’s mom!

Coffee - Chiang Mai style

On our second day in Chiang Mai we decided to visit Doi Inthanon National Park. We hired a car and a driver for the day as the park is a few hours from Chiang Mai, not only did it make getting around a lot easier but it saved us money! We didn’t get to do as much walking as we would have liked because the park was so big but it was beautiful and spectacular.

Weirdly this sign was not actually at the highest point!

Driving through the park we were able to enjoy the wilderness surrounding us. Amongst dense forest, that appeared to go on forever, there were small villages full of people going about their daily lives. At the top of the mountain we emerged into a welcoming and blissfully chilly day, Matt was even able to wear the scarf I brought him for his birthday! It was the perfect weather for our trail through the mossy forest.

Mossy

Following this Ann was able to get her coffee fix as we enjoyed a coffee at the highest peak in Thailand and Matt experienced lens envy watching all of the wildlife photographers.

I wonder if that lens would fit in my backpack

Next up on the trip were two monumental stupas built in honour of the King and Queen’s 60^th birthdays.  The stupas were surrounded by picturesque gardens that even Disney would be proud of. Inside of the stupas was even more impressive; the walls were decorated with mosaic patterns of the Buddha’s life and his teachings and surrounded an impressive stone Buddha. Not to be outdone, the view from here was incredible, we were lucky that it was a clear day and we could see for miles.

His ...

and hers

Last stop on our trip was a short walk up the Nam Tok Wachiratan Waterfall, a great way to end the day!

End of a long but great day

When did you last sleep in a wigwam?

Sitting in the motel in Flagstaff as it is raining (boo no stars) so I thought I would do a quick catch-up.

Matt Done Bad!

First a public apology to Aimee for our currently less than brilliant accommodation. We split pre-booking our hotels between us, this is one of mine and it is … well it is a bit ropey. This is the first of all the places that we have stayed so far that has been below par as the others have gone from fair to amazing and everything in-between. I won't name and shame as there are plenty of bad reviews on trip adviser that I somehow missed and it was very cheap.

Is it a log - is it a rock?

Colours of the painted desert

We are now in Arizona, the State slogan is "The Grand Canyon State" but it should be "the state that is full of more amazing things that you could see in 6 months". After leaving Gallup we headed to the Petrified Forest National park, there was so much to see we had to go back the next morning to take in everything.

The Petrified forest sits in the painted desert and every mile or so the landscape changes again, it really does look like someone took out a large paint brush and had fun. It was amazingly hot and dry I couldn't believe that plants and animals could live there but there were even Native American settlements in the past. Hopefully some of the images can give you a feel of what it is like.

Close-up of petrified wood

Petrified log

Aimee marvelling at a petrified log

The petrified wood is mainly clustered in several forests. At first it is difficult to see what you are looking at but then the brightly coloured rocks that often sit in grey white surroundings take on new meaning. The process of petrification replaces all of the organic parts of fossilised trees with rock crystals (mainly quartz) the colours and banding come from the organic parts of the tree staining these crystals. Hopefully you can see in the images that the best examples do look like the tree logs. If you are as interested as me in all things rock then this place is like a toy shop and even if you are less Geologically inclined even Aimee enjoyed it.

Desert wild flowers

Us enjoying the lava fields

More rocks...

Our 2 day geology fest was not quite over as next we visited Sunset crater volcano. This volcano erupted as recently as 800 years ago (in geology this not enough time to boil the kettle). There were exposed areas of lava flows and small cinder cones to walk around and again rocky good times were had (although I have the suspicion that Aimee's rock enjoying patience was wearing thin after my 20th WOW that small, insignificant looking thing that looks like all of the other grey rock is actually amazing). The altitude, it is about 6000 ft in most of this area and gets you in subtle ways like needing an extra puff of air when normally that short stroll is easy or drinking gallons (literally as it is sold by the gallon) of water.

When did you last sleep in a wigwam?

Neon sign and retro Cadillac, very route 66

Before coming to Flagstaff we stopped the night in Holbrook, a classic Route 66 town. Our accommodation there was a little special, we spent the night at the Wigwam motel. What it lacks in luxury it makes up for in wacky charm. Not only were each of the motel rooms individual Wigwams (modern, concrete Wigwams with a shower and a TV) but there were also loads of retro cars in the parking lot. It made for a really memorable stay and really added to the route 66 experience.

Wigwams

Me enjoying the Buick a bit too much

Just 1 of the retro vehicles at the Wigwam motel

Just because it's not a planet, doesn't mean that it doesn't have feelings.

Clark telescope at Lowell observatory

Today we had a fascinating trip to the Lowell observatory which has a major place in astronomical history (and present judging by the work they are doing).

A quick run down of the most famous projects the observatory has been involved in;

The hunt for Martians (and the accidental creation of several Martian myths)

The discovery of Pluto

Helping prove the theory of the expanding universe.

Mapping Lunar landing sites for the Apollo missions

The observatory had plenty of exhibits to keep us occupied all day and we were hoping to go back to use the telescope tonight but the weather has let us down. If anyone is into Space exploration even half as much as we are then it is a great day out.

Well that is a taster of the last few days now I'm off to sulk at the weather.

I will leave you with another message from the back of a camper van;

"Goin' places with smilin' faces"