Visiting Wupatki National Monument

We concluded our week of Flagstaff Festival of Science Activities by visiting Wupatki National Monument this morning which is northeast of Flagstaff. Admission to the park (and other local areas) was free today as part of the festival. Wupatki Monument is on the prairie within view of the painted desert. The landscape is dotted by red rock remains of masonry pueblos inhabited in the 1100s. What is curious is that these people lived in small farming communities where water is scarce. Perhaps there was more rain then after the eruption of nearby Sunset Volcano where ash layers helped absorb moisture. It is a mystery. And a very beautiful place! 

The Blowhole was the major highlight of our visit. (Zach said that the picture above even looked like a weird whale!) It is a naturally occurring air movement phenomenon caused by pressure differences between above ground and air in a below-ground cavern. Think natural air-conditioning!  The boys had fun “playing” in the air as it shot upwards from below. Note Zach’s windblown hair and Ashton’s puffed up shirt. Cool!