Sun Valley AZ & the Petrified Forest

I hop in the truck and start my weekend road trip heading back out to the Petrified Forest. Energy levels are still low, and my hopes of doing some longer hikes get bashed. I do enjoy wandering around the ancient logs from what once was a marshy swamp land a millenia ago.

I find a iPhone that was placed on rock and mistakenly left behind. I take it to the closest Ranger’s station, and hope that it finds its rightful owner. It’s been awhile since I can recall doing such a good deed. Perhaps the odds of me having good fortune will be passed onward.

I don’t spend much time here before jumping onto the lonely interstate to try and find my bed for the night. I’m looking for a roadside shanty town called Sun Valley. The place is just a smattering of trailers and RV’s, with some more creative shipping containers, all transformed into living spaces for those adventurous souls that like to live off the grid. I eventually find my yurt on one of properties, the owner sitting high on top of his makeshift home, waving a friendly hand to come onto the property.

I settle in quickly, setting up a mattress on the floor, and watch the sunset over the high desert prairie. The soft hum of the cars along the interstate sooth my soul as sleep comes to me early.

Morning comes sans coffee, but I stretch and meditate to slowly wake my mind and body. I check my night time lapses and am overjoyed with the captures. My host hears me rumbling and wishes me a good morning as I wash my face, pack up, and slowly rumble out the gate and back onto a lonesome Arizona road.