“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” – Rosalia de Castro
Painted Desert Inn
Painted Desert Inn, Petrified Forest National Park. — Photo by Pat Bean
A National Historic Landmark, the Painted Desert Inn was once a thriving roadside stop for Route 66 travelers.
Restored ceiling tiles beneath which diners once ate. — Photo by Pat Bean
It went belly up, Like so many other attractions along the Mother Road, when Interstate 40 replaced Route 66 and bypassed the 25-mile loop through the park.
But where so many of the other relics of the past stand sagging and crumbling, the park has restored the inn to all its former glory.
But without the bustle of a busy lunch crowd, or travelers who might pay to spend the night, the inn felt sad and forlorn.
With only myself, the inn (now a musuem) caretaker and another couple, the place felt ghostly as I wondered through it, trying to imagine it in its heydays.
I didn’t stay long, but rejoined my canine traveling, Pepper, in my RV, so we could continue enjoying the scenery.
Bean’s Pat: You Are My Collected http://rtewrite.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/you-are-my-collected/ Ditto what Harper said about my own followers. You are appreciated.
*The Pat is simply this wandering/wondering old broad’s way of bringing attention to a blog I enjoyed – and thought perhaps the readers of this blog might, too. It’s given with no strings attatched.
Pat Bean's blog 
My brother was a park naturalist there two different summers in the 60s. I loved the area, as well as “Happy Holbrook” as it was known in those days.
I sped through Holbrook on my way to Flagstaff as I dawdled in the park way too long. I understand they do a lot of nature science research in the park. And they threaten you when you enter that you’re likely to be searched on the way out if you take any petrified wood out with you. In earlier years that’s what everyone did. Thanks for journeying with me Jim
Yes, I’ve been there, too, Pat, and know what you mean. Though the scenery remains gorgeous.
It’s interesting to think that Route 66 actually went through all this gorgeous landscape — and people on Interstate 40 fly by unaware. It’s nice to be at a point in my life when I can dawdle.
Wow those ceiling tiles are beautiful and the building itself is a real piece of work, I’m so glad its still open.
Me, too. Thanks for commenting.
Hi, Pat. You are not alone in your Route 66 journey. I’ve also been reading http://eilean350.blogspot.com/2012/05/feast-of-color-get-your-kicks-on-route.html. This is a blog by Greg Kerlin whom I met at Deception Pass Campground on Whidbey Island last year. You might enjoy it also. Reading your blogs has convinced me to travel the same route when I return Rosie2 to North Carolina.
Thanks Barbara. I’ll check out the blog.
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