Monday morning, we left our friend’s house in Aztec, NM and drove the short distance to Aztec National Monument. Most national parks and monuments are “out in the country”. Not this one; it is about a half mile off the highway in a residential area. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that it is not worth seeing. It is definitely a must see. The buildings and wall
s are well preserved and there are lots of them. The self-guiding trail brochure leads you thru and around most of one part of the structure and there are many doorways to go through and rooms to enter and pictures to take. The frosting on the cake, however is the recreated giant Kiva. The path leads you right into the Kiva. It was a sunny day so the light coming through the hole in the ceiling, plus the windows, gave the interior a peaceful, special feeling. It was like being in an ancient cathedral all by your self. Hushed. Sacred. We left silently and returned to the visitor center.
After leaving Aztec, we headed north on Hwy 550 which follows the Animas River as it comes from Colorado. In 15 miles we were in Colorado and in another 20 miles, Durango. It was amazing how the land changed as we drove north. We went from dry to moderate moisture, brown to green, poverty to prosperity in a manner of 30 miles. At Durango the road we wanted 160, turned west before we entered old Durango so we didn’t get to see the “real” part of the town.
Heading west it was about 40 miles to the turn for Mesa Verde. As we turned off and headed up the mountain, there was a sign the stated the campground in the NP was closed and towed vehicles were not allowed past this spot. We turned into the parking lot for turning around and drove back out to the highway and drove ½ mile to an RV park and set up there.
The next morning, bright and early for us, we headed up the mountain again, sans trailer and dogs. (at the rv park) As we drove the 15 miles to the visitor center on the curvy and steep road, I was glad that we could not bring the trailer along on this part of our adventure. The truck would not have enjoyed the pull. The campground is done to be open again in a few weeks and for those in tents, etc. it will be fine.
After stopping at the visitor center and buying ticket for two tours ( yes you need tickets and yes you buy them for $3.00 each) we drove the 5 miles to Cliff House for our first tour. It was I remembered it.
Wonderful!!! The heavy crowds have not hit yet so although the tours are full, they are not squeezed together like they will be after Memorial Day. Yuck. MV must be like a zoo in the summer. It’s a wonderful place but try to go in the “off season”.
Then it was Balcony House with a ranger led tour, followed by a short drive to the museum with great displays, and a self-guided tour of Spruce Tree House. Had a fun walk back up the trail with a couple from CO. He had been a summer ranger at MV 50 years ago and is thinking about coming back to work this summer. It is very possible. The parks have volunteers and employees of all ages.
Then it was back to the trailer for supper and rest. Did I dream of cliff dwellings? What do you think?
s are well preserved and there are lots of them. The self-guiding trail brochure leads you thru and around most of one part of the structure and there are many doorways to go through and rooms to enter and pictures to take. The frosting on the cake, however is the recreated giant Kiva. The path leads you right into the Kiva. It was a sunny day so the light coming through the hole in the ceiling, plus the windows, gave the interior a peaceful, special feeling. It was like being in an ancient cathedral all by your self. Hushed. Sacred. We left silently and returned to the visitor center.After leaving Aztec, we headed north on Hwy 550 which follows the Animas River as it comes from Colorado. In 15 miles we were in Colorado and in another 20 miles, Durango. It was amazing how the land changed as we drove north. We went from dry to moderate moisture, brown to green, poverty to prosperity in a manner of 30 miles. At Durango the road we wanted 160, turned west before we entered old Durango so we didn’t get to see the “real” part of the town.
Heading west it was about 40 miles to the turn for Mesa Verde. As we turned off and headed up the mountain, there was a sign the stated the campground in the NP was closed and towed vehicles were not allowed past this spot. We turned into the parking lot for turning around and drove back out to the highway and drove ½ mile to an RV park and set up there.
The next morning, bright and early for us, we headed up the mountain again, sans trailer and dogs. (at the rv park) As we drove the 15 miles to the visitor center on the curvy and steep road, I was glad that we could not bring the trailer along on this part of our adventure. The truck would not have enjoyed the pull. The campground is done to be open again in a few weeks and for those in tents, etc. it will be fine.
After stopping at the visitor center and buying ticket for two tours ( yes you need tickets and yes you buy them for $3.00 each) we drove the 5 miles to Cliff House for our first tour. It was I remembered it.
Wonderful!!! The heavy crowds have not hit yet so although the tours are full, they are not squeezed together like they will be after Memorial Day. Yuck. MV must be like a zoo in the summer. It’s a wonderful place but try to go in the “off season”.Then it was Balcony House with a ranger led tour, followed by a short drive to the museum with great displays, and a self-guided tour of Spruce Tree House. Had a fun walk back up the trail with a couple from CO. He had been a summer ranger at MV 50 years ago and is thinking about coming back to work this summer. It is very possible. The parks have volunteers and employees of all ages.
Then it was back to the trailer for supper and rest. Did I dream of cliff dwellings? What do you think?
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