Friday, September 30, 2011

Mesa Verde National Park

Today, we got a close up look at two Ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, just East of Cortez, Colorado.  We were escorted by park rangers who established rules that were stricter than junior high school, the way it USED to be!  NO food, NO drinks except clear water, NO gum, NO sitting on, NO leaning on, NO touching of rocks in the dwellings.
Descent and ascent from the mesa to the dwellings and back was a bit daunting for most of us "boomers" - a 32 foot ladder; steps carved out of the side of the cliff.....definitely got the old hearts pumping!
This matrilineal culture farmed the mesa above and eventually built living spaces in the crevasses in the cliffs below the mesa, formed from water from seepage springs, where sandstone met shale.  These caves provided a steady water supply, and space for food storage, as well as protection from weather extremes and potential invaders from other clans and tribes.  Occupation of these dwellings abruptly ended in 1280 AD, for reasons that are not completely clear.
A Cliffside Neighborhood

Two, Sometimes Three Stories High

Shale was Held Together by Mud

The Kiva - a Place to Gather
A Place of Warmth and Security
The Spiritual Center of the Clan

High Rise Condos???

Nice Architecture!


Used to Grind Corn into Meal

A Small Dwelling Tucked Away

A View of the Valley Below

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Morning Splendor

Dawn Approaches!

Here Comes the Sun!
Peeking over the Cliffs!

Shadow Play
Well Camouflaged Bunny eating Breakfast

Lizard enjoying the Sun!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       We were up this morning, before the sun broke over the surrounding cliffs.  The silence of the dawn on the canyon floor was complete.  Slowly, a few bird calls were heard.  Coffee in hand, we took a walk, in search of the source of the water that was responsible for the the shrubs and trees that magically popped up amidst the miles of sage.  Larry stopped short on the trail and pointed to a rabbit feeding on some tasty young shoots.  "WHAT rabbit?"  It took me a while to finally see the well-camouflaged little bunny!  This is lizard country, too!  We encountered the feisty little reptile above, brazenly skittering among the rocks at the Needles Overlook.                                  

Canyonlands Wilderness Campsite

Canyonlands National Park - Needles Overlook
Larry at Needles Overlook - Canyonlands National Park

GLAD there's a fence!

"Five Shooter" and "Six Shooter" on canyon floor
From Needles Overlook
Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs - on road to Squaw Flats

Petroglyph Close-Up - Horse and Hunter


Wooden Shoe Arch - near Squaw Flats State Park Campground

Sunset at Canyonlands BLM Campground
"Six Shooter" from the canyon floor
Our "To-Do" list yesterday included a drive to the Needles Overlook into the "Islands in the Sky" district of Canyonlands National Park; then on to see Newspaper Rock - a petroglyph which served as a sort of communication board among the residents of the area,  and finally, to Squaw Flat State Park for a few days of camping without connections to the outer world.          On our way South from Moab, we briefly discussed whether or not it would be worth the effort of a 45 mile round trip to the Needles Overlook.  Dead Horse Point yesterday had been breath-taking!  Could Needles Overlook be any better?  Besides, we HAVE been to The Grand Canyon!  ........I have to say, we were NOT disappointed!     Spectacular!                   Back to the main highway and a bit farther South, we turned off  the beaten path once again, for a look at Newspaper Rock.  It WAS a wall of stories - documentation of the lives of the clans in the area.  They CERTAINLY were BUSY people!            From there, we continued.....in pursuit of a coveted primitive camp sight at Squaw Flat State Park - a first-come, first served situation.  Our "kampsight karma" was absent - - the campground was FULL!      We did NOT relish the idea of 50 miles back to Montecello at a time when all we could think of was a frosty, cold beverage at a shaded camp sight.....    What to do?  What to do?  The ranger at the Information Center directed us to a nearby BLM campground about 5 miles away.  We were skeptical, but willing to check out the campground that boasted fire circles, picnic tables, primitive potties and nothing more - - PERIOD!      We were MIGHTY thirsty!        Plan B turned out to be a VERY nice alternative!  A few other hearty souls also opted for peace and quiet, an amazing sunset that turned the cliffs fiery red.....followed by a black velvet sky filled with a curtain of diamond-bright stars and a rare, clear view of the Milky Way.......    We slept well.......

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Arches and Dead Horse Point


A Rock Castle!

Pioneer Women????


The Monitor and the Merrimac Rock Formations


LOTS of Arches!


Balanced Rock Formation

Petroglyphs at Wolfe Ranch in Arches NP


Delicate Arch


MORE Arches!


View of the Colorado River/Canyonlands NP from Dead Horse Point
We were a the Arches National Park entrance at 8 AM yesterday, thinking we would beat the rush of sightseers in the park.  DROVES of cars were returning to the entrance after watching the sun rise.  It was gridlock in most of the viewing points and trail heads.  And here we THOUGHT, by  late September that the crowds would have thinned out!  Not so!  We were surrounded by other boomers and travelers from other countries - especially France and Germany!
We headed up to Dead Horse Point in the afternoon.  From this viewpoint, we looked down into Canyonlands National Park - and the Colorado River.  Spectacular!
Today, we are headed to the Needles Overlook and Newspaper Rock.  We will be out of touch for a few days.  There are some remote Utah State Park campgrounds with few services and NO electricity/lights, so the star-gazing should be really nice!  We will sit back and relax a bit - read, hik, take LOTS of photos and regroup!
I plan to  post again on the weekend, when we return to civilization!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Capitol Reef National Park

THIS is how the "Full-Timers" travel!
Taylor's Casita on Wheels!


























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When WE grow up, we want to be a half million dollar full time HOUSE!  WITH a chauffeur,   puh-LEEZ!  Until then, we will be content to travel in our casita!  We are snug and comfortable!
Notice the "Toy Box" Behind the Rig!

Colorado Plateau Rimrock

The Colors!  The Layers! 

 In a Day or a Year or ...?

Barn near the Mormon Settlement of Fruita

Done with a HUGE Paintbrush!

Capitol Reef Canyon

Build Up!  Tear Down!

Reds!  Purples! Greys!  Oranges! 

Majestic!

 The Divine Creator at Work!

Petroglyphs near Fruita

The Fruita School House

Capitol Reef was formed from Rock Folds
Like a Wrinkled Tablecloth Atop
 The Colorado Plateau

Random Rock Tower!
The photographs above are taken in  Capitol Reef National Park - created by a fold in the rock on the Colorado Plateau.       Tonight, we are camped on Moab - a touristy town, just South of the Arches National Park.  Tomorrow, we will be up early....hopefully, before the crowds awake -  for a tour through the park.  When we attempted to make reservations for a coveted space in the Dead Horse Campground, overlooking Canyonlands National Park, we were informed that we would have to WAIT until October 12 for a space!  We'll try our luck at Horse Thief Campgrounds on Wednesday - a first come, first served BLM campground nearby.  We're not sure how all these ROCK pictures are coming across!  We WISH ALL of you could be with us to experience first hand this amazing adventure!