Petrified Forest NP - Painted Desert

Petrified wood can be found in many places in the world, so if it were only for it, the Petrified Forest NP would not be anything special. What makes this park special is its beautiful location in the Painted Desert.

As you can see on the photos below, the Painted Desert is full of badland hills, tepees, flat-topped mesas, and sculptured buttes, all in beautiful pastel colors. It unique beauty was attracting Route 66 travelers, who were happy to take a break at The Painted Desert Inn, the two-story inn located in the northern part of the park, on a high perch overlooking the nearby landscape. The Inn opened in 1924 and was nicknamed the "Stone Tree House" as it was built mostly from petrified wood.

In 1948 Painted Desert Inn was bought by the National Park Services and got converted to the Petrified Forest NP northern headquarters, featuring a shop and restaurant operated by the Fred Harvey Company (the same company that built and operated landmark hotels e.g. on the South Rim and the bottom of the Grand Canyon). Mary Colter, the company's architect and interior designer, was responsible for remodeling the Painted Desert Inn. She hired Fred Kabotie, a Hopi Indian artist, to paint murals in the lunch room and dining room. (Similarly, Mary Colter and Fred Kabotie team was responsible for the construction and murals, respectively, at the Watchtower located at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.) I am a big fan of their work, as they always took into account the historical context of the places they were designing.

Beautiful Painted Desert:




Painted Desert Inn:


The Buffalo Dance mural in the lunch room:


The Salt Lake mural:

Mission Murals in rain

I was planing to go hiking today, but my plans got changed due to heavy rains in whole Bay Area. So instead I went for a city walk to revisit some of Mission murals. Some of my favorites are posted below.


Mural at the corner of Hampshire St and 24th St:


Balmy St Murals:




Electric Post on 24th St:


Corner of Alabama St and 24th St:


Corner of York St and 24th St:


Corner of Folsom St and 24th St:


24th St near intersection with Capp St:


Clarion Alley Murals:

Grand Canyon - Watchtower

The most eastern viewpoint in the Grand Canyon park is called Dessert View. It is home to the structure known as the Watchtower that was designed by Mary Colter at the request of the Fred Harvey Company. The Watchtower is a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower. Its interior walls are full of images that depict various aspects of Hopi mythology and religious ceremonies. It is somehow disconcerting that this stylized-to-look-old building is used as a gift shop.

The views from the Watchtower are magnificent. From its top you can see not only the Grand Canyon, but also the Painted Desert, the Vermilion Cliffs and the San Fransico Peaks.

The Watchtower:


The view of the Grand Canyon from the inside of the Watchtower:




The interior of the Watchtower:

Art is the wor(l)d

SF, somewhere around 18-20th and Branan, 22nd of June 2007

Did I mention that I have a weakness for murals?

and what about humans?

SF, 16th and Bryant, 22nd of June 2007, artist: Rigo

murals: Women's Building

Women's Building is located on 18th Street between Guerrero and Valencia. These photos were taken on 3rd of May 2007:

murals: Clarion Alley

What I love about San Francisco is that art abounds on the street. If you just walk around the city (and keep your eyes open), you are bound to find different kinds of art at every other corner.

Apparently, only the Mission District contains around 200 murals. Many of them were painted in the 1970s as part of the public program to provide space for young artist to express themselves. But SF mural art history goes as much back as to the 1930s when President Roosvelt's New Deal program funded series of murals that are now on display inside Coit Tower. SF boasts also three murals by Diego Rivera (located at City College and San Francisco Art Institute) painted in the 1930s and '40s.

Personally, I like a lot Clarion Alley Mural Project located on Clarion Alley, between 17th and 18th Streets, between Mission and Valencia. What is particularly nice about it is that every year they have a "block party" during which some of the old murals get replaced with the new ones.

Here are few pictures from Clarion Alley that I took during the walk with Ania and (the other ;-)) Monika last Monday afternoon (17th of June 2007):