Cliff dwellings (Mesa Verda NP)

We decided to add another day near Mesa Verde. All we did was driving from one thing to another and take in all the things we wanted to do. So Wednesday was a day of “dolce far niente” (doing nothing). We (I) slept in. After a late breakfast we drove towards Durango to visit a guy who did “folk-art”. Neat stuff, but too big and too much money. But we got one thing that one can admire somewhere around our Tiki-Bar. We paid the Mesa Verde Visitor Center a visit and bought our tickets for tomorrow’s tour. Back at the camp we cooked some pork chops and I worked the laptop, much to Rupert’s dismay. (Rupert's comment: I really think Karyn is a cool Lady, but since she thought you to write a blog, I may have to revise my opinion, all you do is write and post!!!! )- no worries Karyn, he still likes you.

 

At least Dicker is content. He does't give us any trouble what so ever!

In the back ground you can see the mountains we drove over yesterday

one of the smaller dwellings

another one

Cliff Palace (the enchanted castle) from afar. 

150 rooms and 23 Kivas. Kivas are the round structures, believed to be ceremonial sites and for community gatherings.

Constructed continually from 1190-91 to 1260-80

It is unimaginable to picture them living in the cliffs. On the mesa top is where they did the "farming". Consisting of different kinds of corn and beans. From Yucca plants they made clothing, sandals and the much needed ropes. There are only two "paths" reaching the dwelling. Even we had to climb some ladders to visit the site.

The average age of man were 35, for women it was only the early to mid twenties. A child reaching the age of 5 years had a "good" chance for reaching adulthood.

In the deep valley below were only small game. The population was so immense at some point, there was no game any more at all. Their diet consisted  mostly of plants, no animal protein which must put into account of their life span, considering the hard life they had.

me and climbing ladders, but I did it

20 miles back, twisty, curvy and steep. We saw a lot of burnt down areas.

Lots and lots of burnt areas throughout the park

We gassed up in Cortez for our departure the next day. And we also bought some wine to take along.

That says it all :-)

And finally a last picture from our camp and the awesome view we had. The Mesa Mountain Top.

Has been a nice place

Ta-ta