The Starks' spent the whole day today at Mesa Verde exploring the old Indian ruins as much as we possibly could. This is yet another place that really needs two days to explore completely, as we were only able to see a fraction of the park.
We awoke to a chilly start (35 degrees for those of you suffering the heat back on the East Coast). For the first time ever, I was the only one that wasn't freezing my tail off. I'm usually the one waking up claiming that I'm selling the tent, sleeping bag, thermarest, and everything else nearby on Ebay due to being cold all night. I found the secret formula this time:-).
The Anasazi Indians (preferred name "Ancestral Pebloans") were cliff dwellers that apparently entered time around 1200 B.C. Without going into a total history lesson, lets just understand that these people were well ahead of their time. Essentially, they inhabited some very high cliffs, built massive communities out of sandstone and mud, and farmed corn and cotton on the top of the mesas. Keep in mind that the annual rainful around here is null. These folks were hardcore, as they had to be able to climb slick sandstone rock from ashes to dust. I think they may be my distant ancestors, as I like climbing on rocks:-). They lived slept six folks to a six feet by six feet room. That's it, we are downsizing! That makes our tent look huge! We are really surprised at how far advanced, and how much they accomplished in their time. Heck, we can't even get a ten mile stretch of highway resurfaced without costing millions and taking ten years. Take a look at the pictures here, and just remember that these folks did this all making their own tools, no wheel, and very little water. We were blown away, and I honestly believe that they could have ruled the world. Little is known about why they left their habitat, but it obviously had to be a sound reason. I personally think that it is an Alien conspriacy, and I guarantee you that some of you that have already visited secretly believe so as well:-). If you get the chance to visit Mesa Verde, don't pass it up. It is definitely a history lesson.
The kids received their "Junior Ranger" badges today as they researched and answered all of the questions required by the real Park Rangers. We had an argument in the car on the way back concerning their "legitimacy". I think Bennett won, and he is now officially a Ranger. I'm not standing in his way:-).
Folks, this is absolutely the best vacation that we could have ever planned for, and the time with the family has been invaluable. We are having a blast, and already planning for our next year's trip out west. There are places within the places we have visited that we plan on exploring further next time.
Tomorrow, we've decided to relax and let someone else "tour" us around. We are taking a trip with a group up to Silverton for a Jeep tour, and then back down the "narrow guage railway" to Durango (The first time all vacation that I really don't have to drive:-). It should be an insane trip as all have been before.
All Aboard!!!....
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