What incredible scenery today. We started the day with breakfast at a bakery which was started up by another hippy. We didn't meet this one, but there are photos and stories on the wall - as well as a lot of art work. Mancos is at 7,000 feet.
Mesa Verde National Park is just 6 miles down the road
. Unfortunately it is a 20 mile drive to the first cliff house. A road with many twists and turns. Imagine how far we could see when we reached Park Point Overlook at 8, 572 feet!
We did the self guided tour at Spruce Tree House. And then did the Mesa Top Loop, stopping at the various digs and viewpoints.
"Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling (Cliff Palace and Long House are larger), was constructed between A.D. 1211 and 1278 by the ancestors of the Puebloan peoples of the Southwest. The dwelling contains about 130 rooms and 8 kivas (kee-vahs), or ceremonial
chambers, built into a natural alcove measuring 216 feet (66 meters) at greatest width and 89 feet (27 meters) at its greatest depth. It is thought to have been home for about 60 to 80 people.
The cliff dwelling was first discovered in 1888, when two localranchers chanced upon it while searching for stray cattle. A large tree,which they identified as a Douglas Spruce (later called Douglas Fir),was found growing from the front of the dwelling to the mesa top. It is said that the men first entered the dwelling by climbing down this tree,which was later cut down by another early explorer."
Back on the highway, filling up with petrol at Cortez at midday.
On to Bluff in Utah. Bluff was founded by Mormon settlers after they pioneered the Hole-in-the-Rock trail from western Utah.
Then down the 163 through Monument Valley and back into Arizona. Came across some rocks similar to the Glasshouse Mountains. Like the igneous core of a volcano - and there were black small rocks like lava. Must google this - just before the 163 met the 98.
And finally into Page.
Mesa Verde to Page
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Page, Arizona, United States
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