POST #69

In this post as in earlier ones you can click the links for more interesting info and click on the photos for a larger view...

We are still here in Homolovi State Park, near Winslow AZ.  

There are several ruins of ancient Hopi villages in the area with two here in the park.  On April 11th we went back to the Visitor Center (Still closed), and then on to the Homolovi 2 ruins and archaeology site.  We walked up and toured the site...

For a video of the Homolovi Ruins from Arizona State Parks... Click >>> HERE

For an interesting video tour of Homolovi 2 by a tourist... Click >>> HERE ... 

There are signs describing various areas in the site...

This partially reconstructed Kiva was interesting...

Describing the San Francisco Volcanic Field, about 50 miles away....

Describing the Little Colorado River valley below the ruins....

There were warning signs down by the river warning of Quicksand, so we did not venture there!  Scary stuff!

Signs describing the Hopi Buttes, a volcanic area, to the North....

The East Plaza...one can still see the cleared area and rough outline...

As we were exploring the area surround the ruins there were several examples of "Desert Pavement"....

Desert Pavement forms through the gradual removal of sand, dust and other fine-grained material by the wind and intermittent rain, leaving the larger fragments behind. The removal of small particles by wind does not continue indefinitely, because once the pavement forms, it acts as a barrier to resist further erosion.  Usually the rocks are darkened by "Desert Varnish".  This "varnish" also darkens the nearby rock outcrops in the area and the Hopi People pecked petroglyphs into them...

We were going to follow the path down there but on the way we got sidetracked by this little guy...

This is a Hopi Rattlesnake

The Hopi rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper subspecies of the Prairie Rattlesnake, native primarily to the desert plateau of the northeastern portion of Arizona, but also ranges into northwestern New Mexico. Is named for the Native American Hopi tribe, which inhabits the region. Smaller than other subspecies of Prairie Rattlesnake, this subspecies generally does not generally grow much beyond two feet in length. It was not at all aggressive and only about 12 to 14 inches long.  We got it to move and rattle...had about 6 segments, but its rattle was so quiet we could barely hear it.

We had to leave before we could get down to the petroglyphs because the gate would be locked soon and we didn't want to stay the night!  spent too much time with the little rattler!

A lot of rain is expected tomorrow, Sunday, and also Monday, so we will probably be "housebound".  Can't do much else due to the swine virus 

We will be leaving Homolovi State Park on Wednesday the 15th and heading north, working our way to Billings.

This is a virus related video that might make you smile!  Click HERE...

Until Next Time!!