After last Blog update, as we sat in the rain in Moab, we decided to move to Cortez, CO on Sunday so we could visit Mesa Verde NP. For those not familiar with this park or area, we are near the four corners, a spot where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado touch. Mesa Verda, (Spanish for Green Table) is an area inhabited by Pueblo Indians from about 1 AD to 1300 AD. They lived in these cliff dwellings from around 1100 to 1300 AD. Originally they lived on top of the Mesa. They moved into these cliffs for weather protection, but continued to farm on top. Their commute to work was a stinker! We took the tours to Cliff House and Balcony House, and can tell you first hand getting to the ruins was tough. And our route was easy compared to theirs.
Several things we found facinating. The only water they had was rain and snow melt, no rivers, springs, etc. Their skill levels with building was unbelieveable. Our theory... they were taught by Aliens. Ok, ok, just kidding. There is much to tell you about their culture that we learned, but a mystery remains, they left suddenly in the early 1300's and migrated to New Mexico and Arizona. Turns out that Pueblo refers to many different tribal groups, Hopi, Zuni, Cochiti, and some others. They left with only what they could carry, they had no burden animals. So here are some pictures,
We took a lttle detour to Delores to see the Galloping Goose. A light weight special gasoline engine powered locomotive constructed by Rio Grande Southern RR. Its intent was to reduce damage on tresles and bridges. It pulled freight cars and took passengers. It was powered by a Buick V8 in one of its versions. They still make a run with it today, 3rd week in August from Durango. See following picture, pretty strange isn't it.
Tomorrow we start home, so this will be our last post until I do the summary at home. Our total miles for the trip will come in between 7500 - 8000 miles. Hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventure as much as we have had doing it!!
