American Southwest Family Vacation 2017

We spent part of our time between overseas assignments exploring the American Southwest. We started in Albuquerque and headed west. We explored the lava fields in El Malpais, drove through the Pueblo of Zuni, visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, discovered the National Monuments at Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon, and spent a day in the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.

Grand Canyon viewed from Desert View Station on the South Rim

The US Foreign Service requires its personnel to take mandatory time back in the US to re-connect to the country we serve. After 2.5 years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, you might think we would have had our fill of the desert environment, but we realized that we were already acclimatized, so it might not seem so hot to visit New Mexico and Arizona in June. And that's what we did.

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American Southwest Vacation Summary

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Day 1
El Malpais National Monument,  New Mexico:

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Days 1-2
Pueblo of Zuni,  New Mexico:

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Days 2-5
Grand Canyon National Park,  Arizona:
Stargazing, Hiking South Kaibab Trail, Sunrise over Desert View, and Riding the South Rim

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Day 5
Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon,  Arizona:
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Walnut Canyon Cliff Dwellings

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Day 6
Petrified Forest National Park,  Arizona:
Petrified Forest, Painted Desert

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↢ Previous Trip: Oman Excursions - Next Trip: ??? ↣
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All Trips From Our Assignment to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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All Trip Summaries

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