Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde

Leaving Durango and heading west, we had decided to check out Mesa Verde National Park which on the map is right next to Route 160.  While it is, we did not realize that once inside the park we had to drive another 25 miles on a winding road to reach where the action is.  Oh well, the views along the way were outstanding.

We did take a guided tour of the Pueblo cave/cliff dwellings which dated back to about 600 A.D.  It was challenging to follow our Navajo guide with all the stairs, ladders and narrow walkways that had to be navigated.  Joan was concerned about the warning to heart patients, but since I had completed the Iron Man Challenge last year at Carolina Lakes, that didn't bother me at all.  However, walking along a path about 3 feet wide and hugging the cliff face did cause me some concern, since I do have a fear of heights.  (I didn't mention this to Joan until we were back in the car.)  Nevertheless, we completed the tour unharmed and learned a lot about the way the Pueblos lived way back when.