Trip #6 - Alamosa to Mesa Verde

Birds soaring over Mesa Verde

We both did a double take when we stopped at a pharmacy in Alamosa and saw a family of deer nonchalantly wondering around the parking lot.

Love finding interesting places to get provisions. The Elk Store had meat (ground bison), Elk Summer Sausage and Jerkey. Could have gotten Elk horns for Watson to chew but he's not a big chewer.

This really sweet elk came over to say "Hi".

Winding roads and gorgeous views. We routinely hit 10,000 foot elevation
many times this trip.

When they use this sign it means they are serious about it being a winding road.

Chimney Rock National Monument

We missed being able to drive into Chimney Rock National Monument by one day. They open "tomorrow"! We were still able to see the impressive view.

Durango, Colorado

Touristy? Yes! Fun? Yes, again! Will we go back? Of course!

This is the a station of one of the other historic scenic trains.

There are quite a number of train rides to take in the area.

Pegosa Springs was also a fun town and we found a yummy bakery there.

Mesa Verde National Park

Colorado

The Mesa Verde Visitor's Center.
Always turn around after taking a picture-
There might be another great view behind you!

Listen to the stories. . . . .

Mesa Verde is spectacular! It has amazing views, archeological sites from a number of eras and 

First viewpoint. We're already fairly high above the valley.

I spent a lot of time marveling at the layers, upon layers, of mountains and valleys.

You can see the little van, way down the trail.
This is heading to the highest point in the park.

Watson did well this trip and had no problem with the hiking or getting into and out of the van. I think the constant attention that he gets on the road trips helps keep us focused so he isn't injuring his knee or hip.

The first of the cliff dwellings. We had not made reservations for the guided tour into them so this was as close as we got. The "self-guided" areas were also not open yet (they're waiting till it's really hot). 
Watson said there was enough waiting around anyway.

There were also some "pit houses" at the top of the mesa. Interesting though not as spectacular.

I really had a hard time visualizing the topography. Lots of canyons, every which way and I couldn't figure out how we got from one mesa top to another, but there we were.