Day 29 - April 14, 2008

Today we drove over to Hovenweep National Monument. The drive was a little disturbing as there was quite a bit of litter (beer bottles) on the road side. Also, we were hoping to see the Hatch Trading Post along the route. However, once we asked the ranger at Hovenweep, we learned the beer bottles were due to partying along the road and Hatch Trading Post had no sign but just a Coors neon sign in the window.

Hovenweep in the Ute language means "deserted valley". The sturdy structures of Hovenweep were created by the Anasazia. But their purpose remains a mystery. Some believe they were used for defense; others think they might have been granaries or platforms for observing the heavens.

We then went on to Four Corners. This is a one time tourist attraction event! Also, I guess the people did not know how to play Four Corners Twister as there was quite a bit of laughter at my picture pose and Frank was mortified. He couldn't snap the picture fast enough!!

Stronghold House

Rim Rock House

Square Tower

Round Tower

Hovenweep House

Hovenweep Castle

Look closely - rabbit on the trail

Lizard on the trail

As you can see the open range is just as it says - no fences and cows just meander freely.

Baa Baa Black Sheep right on the road. There are no fences.

Susan playing Four Corner Twister

Frank at Four Corners

Day 28 - April 13, 2008

Today we travelled from Durango, Co to Monticello, Utah. Well, the planned campground looked like all the inhabitants were in the knife and gun club. So we shifted gears and went 20 miles south to Blanding, Utah to a campground where we could feel safe and sleep at night.

We just had a little touring time so we drove 40 miles to Natural Bridges National Monument. Within the winding corridors of White and Armstrong canyons, water has eroded the stone walls to form three massive bridges. The three natural bridges were named after Hopi Indian terms that relate to their characteristics. They were all incredible. Seems like I use that word a lot to describe this trip but it definitely fits the bill. We are so blessed and grateful to be able to make this journey and see the wonders of this fantastic country.

Sipapu Bridge, the longest and highest, is 268 feet long, 31 feet wide, 53 feet thick and 220 feet high. It is the second largest natural bridge in the world. Sipapu represents a mature stage in the evolution of a natural bridge.

Kachina Bridge is the most massive of the bridges and has a height of 210 feet, 204 feet long, 44 feet wide and 93 feet thick. This bridge represents youth.

"G" at Owachomo Bridge. This bridge is the smallest and oldest bridge. It is a narrow strip of rock only 9 feet thick in the center and 27 feet wide. Spanning 180 feet, Owachomo is in a late stage of erosion and is approaching the day when weather and gravity will bring it crashing to the canyon floor. This bridge represents "old age". We actually hiked down to this bridge.

This twin mesa is called "Bear Ears". It made us think of Liza "Bear" Chambliss.

Day 27 - April 12, 2008

We had an incredible day at Mesa Verde National Park. This park is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States with almost 5,000 archaeological sites. Among the sites are some of the largest cliff dwellings in the world. The sites here tell the story of an 800 year period (AD 500 - 1300) during which

these people shifted fron a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a largely agrarian way of life centered on large communities in cliff dwellings.

We had to climb down several ladders to reach the Cliff Palace Dwellings.

The Cliff Palace Dwellings, the jewel of the park, had over 150 rooms occupied by about 100 people at its peak. It is a four-story apartment complex.

Cliff Palace Dwellings

Skinny passageway to get to the Cliff Palace Dwellings. Those Ancestral Puebloans were little people.

Spruce Tree House Dwellings had 130 rooms with 8 kivas.

Spruce Tree Dwellings

Inside an actual Kiva (Ceremonial House) at Spruce Tree House Ruins. Pretty neat to see a Kiva with a roof on it as most of the roofs have not survived the ages.

What a view!!! Priceless!!!!

Day 26 - April 11, 2008

We had quite a treat today. We rode the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We saw some incredible scenery!!! If you ever have a chance to ride this train you need to take advantage of the opportunity. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience - one of the best if not the best experience of our trip so far.

After our train ride we had a beer at the Diamond Belle Saloon at the Strater Hotel. Talk about a trip back in time. The cocktail waitresses (saloon girls) had fish nets stockings, little black corset looking outfits, and colorful ostrich feathers in their hair.

I feel like Durango is quite a unique city. It has lots of history, tons of outdoor activities with several outdoor shops to equip you for several activities (skiing, mountain biking, regular biking, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, camping, etc) and a very upbeat flavor to the town. It is the home of Fort Lewis College so the young people add their free spirit and zest to the town. I would highly recommend Durango as a vacation spot.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Look at how narrow some of the passages were. Also, check out the snow!

When the train goes over High Bridge, the "blowdown" valve in open to clear sediment that accumulates on the bottom of the boiler. Quite a sight!!

Looking straight down from our railroad car. Quite a long ways down. This is called the High Line and is considered the most spectacular railroading views in the world.

"G" in the snow.

"Grizzly Adams" in the snow. Ask Parker about Grizzly Adams.

View of Shalona Lake from the train.

Day 25 - April 10, 2005

Today we set off for Mesa Verde National Park. We stopped for lunch in Cortez. According to one of my tour books, we were going to eat lunch at Homesteader's Restaurant. However, when we got to the address, it was now Blondies Pub and Grub. So we proceeded in and Frank got to enjoy all of young waitresses with various tatoos. When we arrived at Mesa Verde National Park we found out we couldn't enter without chains or 4 wheel drive. Oh well, we are going to try again on Sunday when we head to Utah as the weather is supposed to be much better. We headed back to Durango and walked the River Trail and then walked around the historic district of Durango. The weather is getting better. No snow today and we had a high of 47 with a low of 28.

View from our camp site

Scenic ride to Mesa Verde National Park

This is as far as we got in our quest to visit Mesa Verge National Park.

Our hike along the Animas River Trail.

Animas River in Durango, CO

A walk down the historic Main Street in Durango.

The Railroad Depot. We will be taking this train ride tomorrow which departs from this depot.

The Strater Hotel in downtown Durango. Wild legends Bat Masterson and Butch Cassidy both stayed at the handsome four-story redbrick Victorian hotel. Louis L'Amour wrote a few of his Western novels while checked into room 222 or sitting in the Diamond Belle Saloon.

One of the Victorian Homes on our 3rd Avenue Walking Tour

Day 24 - April 9, 2008

We have arrived in Durango, CO!! The trip was quite interesting. We passed the Continental Divide on our journey. Also, we have left the dessert of New Mexico and see more green and trees in Colorado. The geology was very different as we moved north. The mountains and hills varied from red to limestone.

Guess what - we get to Colorado and we hit snow!! Then when we went down to Wal Mart to restock we hit hale. Can you believe it?

Day 23 - April 8, 2008

"On the Road Again, Just Can't Wait to be on The Road Again." Oh Boy, they installed the new a/c unit and we bid farewell to Las Cruces, NM around 5:00 pm. We have travelled to Socorro, NM for our rest stop tonight. Tomorrow we plan to be in Durango, CO. When we get to Durango we should be back on schedule. It is good to be traveling again and we are very excited to see the sights in southwest Colorado.