Early start to the day...breakfast downstair was a bit of a let down with everything running out ! managed some toast and tea..I understand now that we are in the boonies we have to be a bit more patient as these Southern folk seem to work a tad slower...

Took off north west for about 90 mins, through irrigated farmland, nice and green, mostly growing lucerne . We finally arrived at Mesa Verde...after a 30min climb got to the Visitors Centre and got ourselves some tickets to visit one of the Cliff dwelling that was once inhabited by the Pueblo indians. There are several dwellings one the site, 3 you have to have guided tours for and the others you can visit freely, due to the time it all takes we did one tour and visited one other plus a few from opposite the Canyon as my photos will show.. It was just wonderful and amazing...how on earth did these people survive in such harsh conditions..no water except for what comes through the sandstone rock and forms in little pools.
We went down a shit load of steps then up an massive ladder just to get into the village, then on the way out we had to crawl through a tunnel then up another steep ladder and carved footholds to get to the top again. Amazing to think that these people found these places to carve out a village on a cliff face..they didnt really carve they just used natural hollows and overhang then they bricked walls and fences etc . All in all a great day out.

On the way home we went via Durango...Adventure capital of Colerado...a tourist Mecca, in the old town most of the old buildings have been converted to Hotels and restaurants, we bought some good Indian souveneirs actually cheaper here that Sedona and Monument Valley. They have a tourist Train which goes up to Silverton and then back again, takes about 6 hours to do the round trip..unfortunately that will have to go on the bucket list due to lack of time..also there is a road past Silverton which is supposed to be spectacular.. Americas number one scenic Highway...likened to Switzerland...again on the bucket list...We had to be happy with lunch and a walk about town before travelling back to Farmington where we are staying... time to plan for the next few days and book some hotels...busy busy busy.. :)

Almost forgot, on the way home their was a fire on the mountains and a helicopter was putting it out with a big bucket..like home, he was refilling from the nearby river.. Most of the fires are started by lightening, there was a storm here last night.