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Petrified Forest Curse Still Going Strong

Rangers at Arizona's Petrified Forest report that they continue to receive letters and packages returning bits of petrified wood stolen from the site, apologizing and offering a litany of bad luck they've had since stealing it. Recent curse manifestations include "I lost my job..." and "Our house burned down..."

Local gift shop owners are quick to point out that petrified wood can be purchased inexpensively nearby - the samples taken from surrounding private lands, not the park itself.

Rangers estimate that about 12 tons of petrified wood are stolen every year, which would cause curse enough, cryptogeologists speculate, to be responsible for Congressional gridlock, Dennis Rodman's media ascendancy, and the current glut of Ab-Roller infomercials.

[02/23/1997]
Address:
Petrified Forest Rd, Holbrook, AZ
Directions:
Drive east from Holbrook about 18 miles on US Hwy 180, then turn north onto Petrified Forest Rd. You can also get to the Park and Visitor Center directly from I-40 exit 311, but the good gift shops are at the southern, US Hwy 180 entry.
Phone:
928-524-6228
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