Four Corners & Mesa Verde

This picture symbolizes the journey that Carole & I have taken ... we traveled around 3 of these 4 states - Utah, Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico - although it feels like we've been a lot further!!

After stopping there, we went to Mesa Verde.  It was a very special day for both of us.  It was special because of all the fun we had and also the challenges that we both faced and achieved!!!

We began at Balcony House, which was the most challenging.  We climbed a 32 ft. ladder straight up.

Inched our way through crevices.

Crawled through a 12 ft tunnel that was 23 inches high by 18 inches wide.

and then had to climb more ladders and steps barely carved into the rock wall.  Carole is pretty tired by now!

Through it all, what impressed us most was the beauty of the place and the knowledge of their advanced civilization.

The biggest cliff-dwelling was Cliff Palace, which had about 200 rooms.  You can see the overall living quarters in this picture taken from the observation point just before our tour began.

It is believed to have been a center of commerce - a city.  It was wonderful to tour, although there is some discussion that it might be closed soon due to deterioration.  It was built around 1280AD.

Once again there were ladders, steps and crevices to manuever through - but we were ready for anything after having gone through Balcony House.

Oops!  I swore I wouldn't include any butt shots of Carole!  Oh, well - we both survived!

( I'll get you for this one, Melodie!!!!!)