Talk about a work of art...

Somewhere in the Arizona desert, on the way to Flagstaff, we made a detour into the Petrified Forest. The lure of tales and photos of the neighbouring Painted Desert was too much to pass up. And seriously, I'm not sure anyone should pass this place up if they are in the vicinity.

We entered at the northern entrance, consulted the helpful assistant in the otherwise deserted tourist information centre, and then headed off on the first hairpin bend of the road through the desert. And it's no exaggeration to say that it took over an hour to navigate the first few miles.

The reason for this slow pace was the numerous vantage points pulling us over at the side of the road. Every single signposted vista offered an amazing and unique view of the incredible Painted Desert. The hills, plains and other-worldly shapes of rock shaping the landscape are simply mesmerising. The northern area of the desert glows with a varying scale of red hues. The undulating pock marks on a otherwise flat terrain, stretch for miles to the horizon. As you watch the red dust touching the electric blue sky, it's easy to feel this land must've been designed.

Continuing on the winding road, we visited the Painted Desert Inn to learn the history of the area. Then, as we headed towards the southern part of the desert, we crossed the old Route 66; a road that has been left for nature to reclaim.

The features of the landscape drastically changed in the southern desert. The so-called teepee structures loomed above us in spectacular fashion. Rings of different colour sediment showcase the layers involved in this land.  They reach up to the endless blue sky like an offering to the universe. This stunning sight could be mistaken for the set of an alien habitat.

Rounding the next corner we came across the Blue Mesa. This unbelievably structured area offers the most exciting walk through these rock monsters. Again, I felt as though I could be walking amongst the terrain more akin to a lunar landscape. Completely alone, we wandered, surrounded by hundreds of shades of blue and grey, seemingly closing in on us from all sides. All sides except the great expanse of breathtaking blue sky above us that is.

I feel this was one of the most humblingly beautiful places I've been fortunate enough to visit. I never realised such an array of colours and shapes could work together so boldly, but at the same time in such detail. Keep all your galleries and art shows. This is the best, most strikingly emotive painting I could ever imagine. And it's all there for us to live through.