Mesa Verde and the Ute Tribal Park, June 10, 2013

This morning we awakened and were required to be at breakfast at 8:00. Ann, when she was ready, took an early morning walk, and I soon followed, the cat of the establishment following me. We had a great breakfast with two couples (one from the Netherlands and one from Seattle) as well as our host. He had fixed a breakfast quiche, sausage, watermelon and various other fruits, and coffee and orange juice. Afterwards, we immediately left for Mesa Verde, about 16 miles away. The visitor center is immediately at the entrance, and we bought our tickets for the Balcony House, the Cliff Palace, and (for tomorrow), the Long House. Mesa Verde has, nestled in the alcoves of the canyon walls, the remains of elaborate stone communities constructed by the Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde more than 900 years ago. Located near the Four Corners region, Mesa Verde National Park was the first national park established to "preserve the works of man." The park preserves more than 4,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that are among the most elaborate and best-preserved sites in the United States. From the year 600 to 1300,a group of Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the area around Mesa Verde. The first dwellings and villages sat on top of the Mesa. The communities evolved from pit houses dug into the earth to above-ground houses constructed of poles and mud, and eventually to elaborate, multi-room stone structures rising 2-3 stories high. Around 1200, the inhabitants began moving into the recessed shelters provided by the cliffs, while farming the Mesa top. These dwellings ranged from single rooms for storage to villages with more than 150 rooms. Less than 100 years later, the cliff dwellers left Mesa Verde and moved south into present-day New Mexiso and Arizona. The amazing structures they constructed into the cliffs lay deserted until they were discovered in the late 1700s through the late 1800s. We drove for about 20 miles before reaching our first tour, of the Balcony House. It is ranger guided and one hour in length, and our tour was at 11:00, It provided a glimpse of the Ancestral Puebloans community in the late 13th c. We climbed a 32 ft.ladder, crawled through a 12 ft. long tunnel, climbed up a 60 ft. open cliff face with stone steps and two 10 ft. ladders to exit the site. An amazing tour! We had a one-hour hiatus, during which we scarfed water, hummus and crackers as well as Chobani yoghurt before going on our next tour of the Cliff Palace. It was ranger-guided also. It was built and occupied around AD 1190-1280. We descended uneven steps, climbed five ladders for a 100 ft. vertical climb. Quite a strenous climb, but definitely worth it. Again, the temperatures in the 90s prodded us towards more water before we headed on towards the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum, which displayed dioramas illustrating Ancestral Puebloans life, many exhibits of prehistoric artifacts, a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan culture, and other items related to the park. There was also a 25-minute orientation film that we saw and which offered an excellent overview of the history of Mesa Verde. Our last house of the day, toured without a guide, was the Spruce Tree House, with a 100ft. descent and ascent on a winding path. Before leaving Mesa Verde, we visited the Far View Lodge, with a stunning view of the Mesa. Arriving back in Mancos, we had dinner at Chavolos, a Mexican restaurant on Railroad Avenue. We bought a few more fruits and crackers for tomorrow's second foray into Mesa Verde, then went back to our B & B, talked on our balcony and admired the light of a beautiful afternoon, and then watched the second episode of the history of Jerusalem on my iPad. Finishing my entry now, and am looking forward to a quiet night!