We spent a lot of time in New Mexico. We were really impressed with how much it had to offer, and what interesting sites to see and places to stay. But we had a rough outline of a plan to got us to my Sister's house in a couple of weeks, so it was time to move on.
A number of the people we met at Bandelier National Monument had recommended we also check out Mesa Verde National Park, so that's where we headed next. We got there after the visitor center had closed, and hoped to be able to camp in one of their campgrounds (or boondock in a parking lot).
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| Approaching Mesa Verde, Mesa Verde National Park (NP), Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Looking' Good, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| At least I'm Colorful, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
So that might give us just enough time to drive to the top before the sun set. I couldn't believe we just kept gaining elevation and eventually got over 8000 feet high and could drive right on the top of the mesa. Looking at that first photo, you would not think that was possible, but in fact this "mesa" is actually a "cuesta" and it slopes downward in the back.
The cliff dwellings were significantly restored during the 1900s, so it is possible to imagine a bit how the Puebloan ancestors may have lived here over the years. Not unlike (and sometime after) Chaco, there was a mass migration away from Mesa Verde as well. The most likely explanation is severe droughts during the 1300s.
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| Wispy Clouds and Blue Sky, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Square Tower House, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Smiling Couple, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Fire or Sunset?, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
On our way out of the park, we pulled over to let some cars pass us on the decent, as we need to use a lower gear and slower speed to drive the steep grade. A park ranger stopped by, and we asked him about camping in a campsite or adjacent parking lot. Unfortunately, that is not allowed. So we headed to our fall-back plan we saw when we turned off for Mesa Verde.
The following day, we debated going back and doing a more leisurely tour of Mesa Verda. But instead we opted for a quick visit to the Visitor Center (gotta get those passport stamps and pins ;-).
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| Camping Nearby, Ancient Cedars at Mesa Verde RV Park, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Visitor Center Shadows, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Canyon Climber Statue, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, CO, March 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
We then opted to head off to our next destination, to get credit for four states at the same time (can you guess where?).
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