Ok busy day. Still more driving, but a good day. We woke to similarly amazing sunrise this morning at Monument Valley.
We decided against driving through monument valley. It would require another Jeep tour and since we just did that yesterday we weren’t up for doing it again. We were out of Monument Valley by 7:30am.
We were satisfied with our sunset and sunrises for now. We drove the scenic way next to monument valley heading to 4 corners.
We arrived at 4 corners. Four Corners. The only place where 4 states come together at one point. Arizona. Colorado. New Mexico. Utah.
We drove in 4 states today!
Edwin and I were here 20 years ago when there was no entrance fee and no built out vendors. We all had fun jumping across state lines walking around the vendors. Barely anyone there but thankfully a few vendors to shop around. I still remember the ting I bought there 20 years ago.
Shiprock is very close by and on the way to Mesa Verde National Park which was our next stop. We’re trying to get in and out of there today so we can get to some much needed hot springs.
Edwin and I camped at Shiprock 20 years ago when we were through here. We camped right along the foot of Shiprock. To the point where I remember we though it would be a good idea to drive another 20 feet away since we were seeing car size boulders all around us. How did they get here?? As we look up. What I do remember is that it was and still to this day (well maybe the one at Mesa Arch 2 months ago) rivaled it. We realized after or the next morning we were not supposed to be camping there. That we were in Navajo land. I don’t remember if we were unaware or just didn’t care at the time…but I think we didn’t see any signs and drove the dirt ride out there. Now returning I’m pretty sure that was not allowed. This time we just pulled over the side of the road, shared our stories with the girls, and took some pictures.
Back in Colorado, heading towards Mesa Verde.
Mesa Verde National Park. 25th National Park.
We got there with enough time to explore the park in the afternoon, but not enough for the whole knowledge tour as well. Luckily since we just came from Canyon de Chelly we had a good background on the Anasazi people, the ancient puebloans from 600-1300AD.
Another national park created by president Teddy Roosevelt. It is the largest archaeological preserve in the U.S. Mesa Verde National Park protects almost 5,000 acres including 600 cliff dwellings. It is also part of the UNESCO (United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage foundation of which there are only 10 worldwide.
The Anasazi were farmers and hunter gatherers. In 600AD their homes began as pithouses. They were dug underground with tree limbs used for a roof. The home entrance was in the roof. Then in about 750AD they transitioned to above ground pueblos. During these times they lived up on top of the Mesa. Later they became cliff dwellers and made homes in the natural alcoves. They would climb up and down the canyon walls via hand and foot holds and 60’ ladders made from trees. You can climb around a few of them in the summertime. By 1300AD they disappeared from the area for unknown reasons.
No camping in the park right now and we really want to make it up hot springs. So off to Durango.
This is not an uncommon occurrence… Often Daisy and I fight over the front seat. I got up to make dinner to sit back down to Daisy not moving. Most of the time I kick her out, but this too is not unfamiliar…
We’re in Pagosa Springs. I’m almost giddy. We have a great spot along the river and we are going to hang out all day and stay in the same place for a second night which we haven’t done in about a week. Overdue. Goodnight.