Thursday, 9/21/17

Today we visited two different National Monuments that are within 60 miles of Mesa Verde,  Hovenweep National Monument and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.  Mesa Verde is also very close to the four corners area, (the intersection of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico), which was tempting to visit, but I'm sure it looks like it did in 1974.

Both of these monuments focus primarily on the ruins of Pueblo civilizations.  Similar to Mesa Verde, these ruins date back to between 500-1300 AD and offer fascinating insights into the Pueblo culture.  Unlike the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, these ruins were all above canyons, but right on the edge.  Hovenweep is actually in Utah, although there were no state line signs; probably because we were in such a deserted area.  

Most of the time we were travelling across open ranges, so we had to slow down to 5 mph as we drove over the cattle crossings.  The topography was very reminiscent of Zion National Park, and like Kansas, it was extremely windy.  At Hovenweep we went for a 2 mile hike along the canyon ridge where all the ruins were located.  It was 86°, so we were happy it was windy.  I can’t imagine visiting here in July!

For meals, we had bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee at the campground.  We bought some meat and vegetable pies at a bakery in Cortez which we consumed before our hike, and for dinner we returned to Cortez to a fine farm to table restaurant that was in an old post office building.  Very stylish!

Tomorrow we head north to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.  On Saturday, Alex and Alice will join us for four days more days in the the Moab area, one of their favorite places.