Questions, Questions... Questions... and more questions

Questions... I get them all day every day... most of the questions I get are repeats of questions.. It's like groundhogs day for me. I literally answer the same questions over and over again, every day.  Needless to say... It gets tiresome.  Here are some examples. 

How is Petrified Wood formed?

Hypothesis: This stuff can't be wood... Was it a catastrophic event?... There must have been some kind of  forest fire here... It was a volcano wasn't it!

Answer: There was a giant river where logs were preserved in mud, silica (from volcanic ash... so  a volcano was involved!) enriched ground water saturated the logs making the cell structure of each log crystalize until it became complete rock. 

Why does some of the wood look like real wood?  Is it older? Or younger? Or is it petrified at all?

Hypothesis: Uhhh... This cannot be real... or can it?

Answer:  This is permineralized wood.  Basically it did not reach full crystalization and agatization... there is still real wood cell structure within this bad boy! However, it is completely rock and quartz crystal and is the same age as the other stuff.

Does it snow here???



Hyposthesis: NO.. It doesn't snow in Arizona... duh... It's way too hot here to ever snow!... You cray cray...

Answer: yes... Yes it does snow here! 

What if.... I kill something... on accident while I'm here?

Hypothesis:  Jail.  Jail time... Lawsuit.  That is a federal bug... I bet the FBI will hear about this and hunt you down. 
Answer:  If it's small, on accident, and not on purpose... I think you'll be okay.

Are there poisonous snakes here?  Will I get bit by one?

Hypothesis:  Yes... No... Maybe... I don't know...
Answer: Yes, there are snakes in the park.  Fortunately, we only have one venemous species of rattlesnake in the park called the Hopi Rattler.  Chances are you will not see this type of snake.  Just beware of the little critters and watch where you put your hands and where you step! 

Are there real Indian Tepees in the park?

Hypotheses:... uhh..
Answer: No! These are geologic formations... Don't miss them! Best part of the park in my opinion!

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION: Where are the bathrooms? Do you have bathrooms?  Can I use those bathrooms?

Hypothesis:  Upstairs?  In the Auditorium?  I'm just going to wander around until I find them... Answer:  Kick it to the left, Kick it to the left. 

BEST QUESTION EVER: How are you so cool?

Hypothesis: You know a lot about geology.. you wear green and grey... you are a fed...
Answer:  My Raybans be rockin' fools!  and all of the above as well.