Four Corners, Durango, and Mesa Verde NP 5/10 - 5/12

On Saturday, May 10th, Bill and I decided to leave Show Low, AZ a day early. We were headed to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, but were going to stop at Four Corners Monument first. This is the only place in the United States where an individual can stand in four states at one time. In order to do this correctly, one should probably get on all fours; but there is a round plaque in the center on which you can stand. It was really a unique feeling to realize that you were standing in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona at the same time. For all the RV'ers, the Monument is on an Indian Reservation in which your park membership is not accepted for entrance.

On Sunday we went to Church for Mother's Day, and celebrated by having breakfast at Denny's. That appeared to be the restaurant of choice in the small town of Cortez, Co. Later that day we drove to Durango, Co. Seth had visited some friends from Georgia in Durango when he was at Dartmouth, so it is always fun to visit where your children have been instead of just visualizing their adventures. From what Seth had described to us, Durango has not changed much over the years. It was like going back in time and visiting an old, Western town whose streets are now paved. We walked the streets, visited the little shops, and then returned home to our RV.

Yesterday, May 12, Bill and I visited Mesa Verde National Park in Mancos, Co. This lush,
mountainous park is composed of various species of birds and wildflowers; mule deer, wild turkey and various other animals. The highest elevation of 8571 feet was at Park Point , which provided infinite views of the surrounding areas. The red rock formations and juniper covered hills are breath taking.

We started our exploration by visiting the museum and watching a video on the Puebloan civilization and archaeological sites found in the park. This park is composed of the most cliff dwellings I have ever seen and by far the largest. Some of the dwellings were 3 or 4 stories high and 150 rooms. To visit some of the dwellings you must climb steep steps and ladders that span 10 to 12 feet straight up. It is not for the faint of heart; and for those of you who know me, I did not visit these particular sites but watched Bill from afar. There were other sites that were more accommodating for those of us who do not like heights. It is so difficult to comprehend that the Anasazi Indians ,who lived in the year of 1200AD , climbed to these elevations, built spectacular dwellings which hang over cliffs, and they are still standing. They had whole city villages and farms which were built on the mesas and then they moved down to the cliffs. The park tells the story of the Anasazi's civilization's growth spanning 700 years.

We spent 9 hours there, hiking and visiting sites, and probably explored 40% of what the park had to offer. Mesa Verde National Park would definitely require another visit.
We are now in Moab, Utah soon to visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It just keeps getting better and better.