On the Road: Parts II and III

While A. was meeting with a faculty member at Northern Arizona University, the Superkids and I checked out the Museum of Northern Arizona. If you're ever in the Flagstaff area looking for something to do, this is a pretty cool little museum. We particularly liked the geological exhibits and the exhibit about the Mystery of the Sickle-clawed Dinosaur.

The next day, we set off for a picnic at Sunset Crater National Monument.


You know, despite events some of us remember, such as the eruption of Mount St. Helens, I believe we so easily think of volcanic eruptions (and typhoons, and earthquakes, and floods, and landslides, and wildfires...) as things that happen off in lands far, far away, not here. Even when the media compel us to face the fact that such things can and do happen here, once the sensationalism of the event has died down, such realities fade from our view, and we're back to sticking our heads in the sand (Think Katrina? Many don't realize that this storm killed more than 1,800 people; I believe many others are still classified as "missing"). Perhaps this is an all-too-human tendency. At any rate, the crater we saw was formed in an eruption that took place less than 900 years ago, and although many of us may not truly grasp the fact, there were likely plenty 'o' folk around at the time to witness it. Which is what I found myself thinking about at our next stop, the Wupatki National Monument. There is more information about this beautiful and thought-provoking place here. Check it out!

At Wupatki's Citadel Pueblo. Isn't it gorgeous?

Supergirl set free!


In front of Citadel Pueblo. This spot has been excavated, picked over, reconstructed, and I assume most artifacts of interest have already been removed, either legitimately or illegitimately. Still, the site was covered with pottery sherds--some of them patterned, stone tools, flakes and other fragments. The architecture itself and the sheer number of remaining artifacts give you an idea of what a lively place this once must have been, and of how sophisticated its residents were. We're not talking an small isolated band of cavemen-like nomads here, people!


The kids got a big kick out of the blowhole at Wupatki Pueblo. You can see from their hair that air was really blowing out that day from deep beneath the ground. This blowhole can also suck air in, depending on conditions. Find out much more here.