My only target in Colorado was Mesa Verde, which is a collection of sites where ancient Pueblo Indians used to live. These sites vary from pit houses . . .
. . . which evolved throughout the years, to elaborate cliff dwellings.
I took a tour of Balcony House, which was advertised to be the most “adventurous” tour the park service offered. It involved several ladders, a tunnel (which my vertically challenged self just managed to traverse walking, albeit bent over like the number 7), and other places that were a little tricky. Despite this, one young family took their toddler and baby along. I couldn’t watch. However, this was nothing compared with the route the dweller had to take. No ladders for them – a series of hand and toe holds carved into the cliffside was apparently sufficient. These houses were very secure, but not someplace I’d want to raise an adventurous child!
It was fall in Colorado. I saw a lot of yellow trees, which for some reason surprised me. I spent the whole drive from Mesa Verde to New Mexico (with an overnight stop in Durango – the Eighth Wonder of the World, or so I was informed upon checking into my motel) with John Denver in my head. I’m so glad I got to see the Colorado Rocky Mountains for myself. I’ll have to go back sometime and see the rest of Colorado.
Hey Tammy! I got your postcard from Mesa Verde a couple weeks ago. I’m so jealous. I always wanted to stop there, but I was never close enough. I have extremely vague memories of visiting some cliff dwellings when I was like 6, but I can’t remember very much, and I’ve always wanted to go back.