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Activities Archaeology Architecture Arizona Desert National Park Native American Natural Stone Prehistoric Ruins Rural Sightseeing Trees United States

The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

When traveling through the southwest, one of my favorite national parks by far was the Petrified Forest National Park.  This park located in northeastern Arizona is naturally and culturally significant and quite beautiful.  This area is strewn with colorful fossilized logs that date back to the Late Triassic Period.  About 2,000 years ago, humans settled in and built little communities here.  

The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
Petroglyphs etched into rock faces gives visitors a glimpse of the culture of the prehistoric peoples that lived here before.

Meandering trails take you throughout the park, giving you glimpses of trees that look like works of art and pueblos from hundreds to thousands of years ago show you how these prehistoric people lived. There’s even one home that looks like it was made from precious stones, which it kind of is.

The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
Welcome to one of my favorite national parks!
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Activities Africa Architecture City Historic Kasbah Kasbah Morocco Rural Sightseeing

Aït Benhaddou in Southern Morocco

Aït Benhaddou is a fortified city in Morocco that is located along the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara Desert.  This UNESCO World Heritage site served as an important trading post in the old trade route that passed all the way from Morocco on the west coast of Africa, to Sudan on the east coast.

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Activities Architecture Canada City Fort Historic Quebec Sightseeing Urban

Old Québec City, Québec Province, Canada

Old Québec City is the original old town historic neighborhood in Québec, Canada, that was first settled in 1608.  Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the only city in North America north of Mexico that still has a city wall.  Visiting Old Québec City allows travelers to step back in time and visit an early North American settlement.

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Activities Africa City Morocco Sightseeing

Sights and Smells of Morocco at Jemaa el-Fnaa

When we booked our trip to Morocco, we knew that we wanted to visit Marrakesh.  Not only because of the song, “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, or the wonderful book, “The Drifters” by James Michener, but because of this lovely little book I read in school titled “Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco” by Paul Rabinow.  Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square in the old part of the city where Marrakesh truly comes to life.  Here, you can experience the sights and smells of all of Morocco into one small condensed area.  It is a sensory overload in the most fantastic way!