Mesa Verde

This part of our trip was definitely my favorite! I have always remembered Mesa Verde as one of my favorite places we visited as kids, especially camping nearby, and this time I hoped our kids would enjoy it just as much as we did. I knew there would be a lot of walking and hiking involved. They, of course, complained a little about that but since we've been home what they remember about our visit is not how tired they were but how cool it was.

As we were arriving to the first site on Chapin Mesa, we came upon these feral horses. We thought they were real wild horses at first and were disappointed to find out they weren't. They were still fun to catch a glimpse of every once in a while.

The boys in the tee-shirts Nana stenciled the night before (a real labor of love). Also it is Collin's favorite shirt since we came home.

Our little ladybug wasn't feeling so hot that morning but still had a smile for the camera:

Structures that could be seen from our first path:

CLIFF PALACE - Cliff Palace is the largest site within Mesa Verde: I think the kids' favorite part of every tour was climbing the ladders.

It is breathtaking from the first glimpse.

I had to include this picture of Nana because it was such a great one, despite the kids' grumpy expressions.

BALCONY HOUSE - the kids were checking out the view before the start of the tour.

The park ranger asked for a volunteer to help her with the tour. Sydney volunteered. She got to help open and close gates and the kids got to lead the rest of the visitors through the site. The ranger was so good with Sydney and made her feel so helpful! The kids loved this tour the most. At the end, they each got a Jr. Ranger pin.

Waiting to lead the rest of us down into the site:

The really cool part of the tour: the 60 ft. ladder.

The black smoke on the roof of the cave shows where walls once stood.

Another fun latter to climb. This wall was a sheer drop-off and Collin even lost his shoe when he got to the upper part of the climb and Papa had to bring it up to him.

SPRUCE TREE - this site didn't require tour and we were able to explore it a little on our own. It is the 3rd largest site at Mesa Verde.

Down in one of the kivas.

LONG HOUSE - This in the 2nd largest site but is on Wetherill Mesa, a very windy 22 miles from the other mesa. The tour involved a tram ride and while we were waiting, a storm with lightening and wind came up. We took refuge and watched it rained pretty hard for about 10 minutes. However it finished just in time for our tour to get started.