Mesa Verde!

Daddy-on-a-Stick loved Mesa Verde!

World Heritage Site:  Mesa Verde!  This morning we left Durango and travelled less than an hour to Mesa Verde.  We all decided to skip Choco for now. Although it is also a World Heritage site, it’s very difficult to get to and would require backtracking over the Rockies again, going in the direction opposite the Grand Canyon.  We’ll try to hit it when we head back to Albuquerque after Alaska. 

We were really glad about that decision when we got to Mesa Verde.  This place is huge - we only got to see about half of it before the sun set! 

There’s a beautiful, huge Morefield campground here - wooded, quiet, and peaceful.

Daddy-on-a-Stick loved Mesa Verde!

The Pueblo Villages were fascinating!  We hiked into Spruce Tree area (there are many different Pueblo villages here to explore), climbed down the wooden ladder into the Kiva (Hopi for “room underneath”), and drove one of the 3 road tours with overlooks that sport cliff dwellings, close-up viewing of kivas, and many different villages.  We also enjoyed the history movie and the extensive museum at one of the Visitor Centers. 

This National Park reminds me of Big Bend given the size of it.  I think you’d need 2 days to see most of it.  They even have a hotel, restaurants, etc.  The kids are angling for the pancake breakfast at the campground café tomorrow.

Remember in the movie “RV” how Robin Williams is trying to get cell phone reception on the top of the mountain?  I looked like that today!  We were at an overlook where you could see 4 states at over 8000 feet elevation and my cell finally worked for calling Ned.  Too funny.  We had Daddy-on-a-stick out enjoying the overlook.

By the way, a huge special thanks to the Ratliff and Nichols families for helping Ned out with the dogs.  They have been a tremendous help while we’re not there- we still worry over our pups.  It’s such a relief to know the dogs are not alone all day when Ned is gone.  Thank you so much!