After the unwelcome alarm clock of 8 motorcycles who were camped next to us revving their engines for what seemed like forever, we got up and began our day. As we ate our breakfast, we were entertained by a sage trasher who was in a tree near our camp. It would go through a large variety of bird songs and even included the shrill and pattern of a car alarm and the croaking of frogs. Apparently there are 7 different species of birds in Colorado that mimic noises they hear. They are typically quite dull looking but their vocalizations are quite elaborate.
We set off for Mesa Verde National Park. They are doing road construction on probably 50% of the road up to the visitor's center so the drive took a while. We decided to tour Cliff Palace, which is the cliff dwelling with the most number of rooms in Mesa Verde National Park. We had a few hours until our tour so we first went to the Museum where the kids worked on their junior ranger booklets and we walked down to the Spruce Tree house cliff dwelling. It's one of two ruins you can see without a ticket. I'd planned on just eating snacks from the car for lunch but there was a mutiny and the kids used their spending money to buy pizza slices at the cafe near the museum. Boma and I shared a salad. We arrived at Cliff Palace early so Isaac and I walked the parking lot and found 24 different states represented.
Cliff Palace view from above, see the circle of people in the center for a size reference
Elizabeth got to be the ranger's special helper by leading the way down the trail.
nearing the cliff dwellings
There are narrow and uneven steps cut into the rocks and several ladders to climb. We'd brought two full bottles of water with us and they were both gone before our tour was half way over.
among the ruins
When we got back to the camp, the four younger children worked on their flying skills in the pool.
William has really gotten over his fear of water!
Meanwhile, back at the campsite, the boys were busy with the ipad and itouch.
Stephanie, I haven't commented every time, but I've been reading every day. Thanks for keeping us posted on the vacation, I'm jealous, it looks like so much fun! I love how you find time to swim almost every day. I lived in Colorado for two years and I think that you are doing more in just a couple of days than I did in 2 years!!
ReplyDeleteYou are getting closer and closer to home.... then what? Will you miss driving everyday? I would come home and sleep for a week!!!
ReplyDeleteMesa Verde is on my "wish list" to see some day. Is it as cool as it looks?
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