Meteor Crater

One of the attractions that advertises in our guides, here in Holbrook, is Meteor Crater Enterprises. I needed to meet with them the other day and we also wanted to see the crater, since we ran out of time last year when we were here. This meteor crater is the first proven and best preserved impact site on Earth.

What an interesting history the Meteor Crater has had, from the time it was “discovered” (it was originally thought to be due to a volcanic eruption) to its’ use by NASA, for training of the astronauts. They have a great museum, with astrological and astronaut information. A guided tour around the rim of the crater is conducted each hour, unless the winds are too strong. Our tour guide, Eduardo, said the winds have been documented as high as 180 m.p.h. on the rim. I think they were gusting at 35-40 m.p.h. the day we were there….man, was it windy !

	Training capsule that the astronauts used to practice splash down procedures.
Eduardo leading our group…he was a great tour leader !	This is the bottom of the crater, where it was believed the asteroid could be found if they drilled below the surface. See the US flag and cut-out of astronaut. Astronaut is 6’ tall and could not be seen without zoom lens.
The RV lot, as seen from the rim of the crater.	Native flowers…Eduardo told us quite a bit about vegetation and flowers in the area.
Remains of a house that existed on rim of crater but that fire and wind brought down..	Hunka hunka burning meteorite….1,406 pounds to be precise. Only about 30” long and 15” wide but it’s 90% iron.
Astronaut Wall of Fame	Notice the “crater-do”, thanks to the 40 mile per hour winds !

What a neat place and really big-rig friendly, for folks on the move. I’m so glad we got the chance to go and see it. Very interesting and well worth the stop ! If you’re on I-40, in Arizona, between Winslow and Flagstaff, be sure to stop and check it out.