Another day and further into the Gobi. Today we’re in an area that is mostly canyons, cliffs, and ancient rock carving sites. Petroglyphs! After a long drive, we park near a rock outcropping and hike up to a great vista and one of Mongolia’s largest petroglyph sites. Why are these sites always on top of a steep hill?

The views were amazing! As far as you can see is high desert with scrub bush and sandy dirt. The rocks we’re standing on are basalt from an ancient volcanic eruption that became the history storybook of primitive Mongolians. The carvings are a bit weathered, but some are surprisingly clear. Images of horses, camels, men, deer, and some unknown, unrecognizable critters, are scattered across the hilltop. Pretty amazing when you think that thousands of years ago (1800-750 BC) someone carved these images into rock so we could see them.

Horse and rider

Gazelle or Antelope

The circles and box are thought to depict a wagon

Camels

Hunter, possibly a snow leopard, and a gazelle

Men

Our home for tonight is another host family ger. This one was not quite as nice as the first ger we stayed in, but it was warm, plenty of room, and included a nice dinner and breakfast. This was one of the first places in Mongolia where we were served eggs for breakfast! They were fried hard but they were still eggs! Beats soup for breakfast.

Home for the night

All gers are not equal

Dinner is served

Breakfast

Sandstorm at the ger

At least we have some snacks in case we get hungry on our way to the next stay.

Yee haw! Horse jerky!