Cortez, Colorado-Mesa Verde National Park/Morefield CG 8/2 - 8/7 2020 Travel Tour

 From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

Tim and I (and Woodstock) are settled in this sparsely populated, secluded canyon in Mesa Verde

National Park: Morefield Camp Ground.  (NPS-Aramark).  The elevation is 8500' which the weather is equal at

 a pleasant high of 85 degrees.  There is a breeze, so Tim is not planning to bring out the generators for air conditioning.   Choose your own campsite.(visitmesaverde.com)

The restroom and freshwater outlet are just next to us so Tim can refill our water tank with some 

amount of ease.

 

 

Life is good and Woodstock is happy to be here in an open range setting with some shade trees and deer that have proven this is their comfort zone as their water is an irrigation ditch up the hill and walk thru our campsite where they frequent.

Mule Deer.

 Tim and I first go to the Visitor Center.

   It is closed but the book store is open with a dozen visitors allowed inside at one time.

  We pick up map booklets of this Mesa Verde which is Spanish for "green table".    The mesa is an erosional remnant rising 1,500' to 2,000 feet above the surrounding Dolores Plateau.

This archaeological preserve is the nation's largest 

and features 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings,.  

Cast Bronze 20' 2" sculpture by Edward Fraughton, "The Ancient Ones" 

Explore and enjoy the peaceful surroundings here at Mesa Verde National Park.  This place was established by United States President Theodore Rosevelt on June 29, 1906.  

It is the only national park in the United States created to preserve Ancestral Pueblo culture and prehistoric architecture. 

 It preserves an extraordinary record of Pueblo people who made Mesa Verde their home

 for over 750 years, from A.D. 550 to A.D. 1300.

Park Point Fire Lookout Tower.  The highest point in Mesa Verde National Park Elevation 8,572 feet.  With a view from the resistant north rim cliffs of the Point Lookout Formation: 

is Sleeping Ute Mountain to the west.  Seen from this angle, (below) it has the face profile of a sleeping human figure and is prominent in Ute Indian folklore. 

 The mountains are the result of volcanic rock overlying sediments about 65 million years ago when the region was subjected to uplift.

To the East, in the Montezuma Valley is the now the (coal burning) Four Corners Power Plant and the San Juan Generating Station.  This is a place to go back in time.  We explore ancient dwelling,; foundations of early household living.

With the creation of Mesa Verde National Park in 1906, it became evident that it contained "one of the grandest and expansive views in the country".

The National Park Service cooperates with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the BLM to protect the park and surrounding lands from potential wildfires.

The Fire Ranger looks for fires, especially after thunderstorms.

The Lookout was built in 1939 by the CCC. (Civilian Conservation Corps.)  Lookout Rangers share views with visitors in 1958.

Tim at Park Point Fire Tower Lookout--Travel Tour 2020

Panoramic views, history, culture, and scenic beauty.

Mesa Top Loop Drive - Personal Adventure  (due to Covid, guided tours were not available)
Tim and I go on our own driving tour which includes short paved walking trails.  We see surface dwellings and views of 6 cliff dwellings.

 

1920 Park Superintendent Jesse Nusbaum constructed new facilities inspired by noted Southwest architects John Meem, Mary J. Colter (Grand Canyon), and Issac Hamilton Rapp based on original Pueblo buildings.

The Historic District:

Park Headquarters and Book Store.

Windows and doorframes are carved with geometric forms reminiscent of those found on Ancestral Pueblo pottery.  Light fixtures and carved furniture display the talent of the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) in 1930.

No bus tours; so no loading and unloading (vacant parking lot); due to Covid.  During this Covid-Avoidance 2020 Travel Tour, we found limited access to Visitor Centers and Museums; however, most hiking trails remain open for our own personal tours.

We discovered this balcony on the backside of the historic administrative office where we quietly viewed our first site of Mesa Verde cliff dwellings.

There at the bench, provided by our lovely National Park Service, the best and most beautiful view.  We sat, humbled, at our view of Spruce Tree House the best-preserved cliff dwelling in the nation.

These people lived on Mesa Verde for 700 years.  They built their large cliff dwellings only during their last 100 years; then they gradually left.

There was a Park Ranger there at this balcony; looks that he is contemplating the same.

Classic Pueblo-era cliff dwelling.

Ancestral Pueblo people lived here during the mid A.D. 1200s.

Back at Morefield Campground, Ron&Fran in their Imagine RV and Black Knight Ram Truck are enjoying the peaceful surroundings at the campsite.

Mike is busy tending to his 'house' the High Country on preventative maintenance.

He is sanding the hitch connection on the 5th wheel.

Frannie brings flowers to 'the good table'!

Mesa Top Loop- we downloaded the Mesa Top Loop Audio Tour App

Personal Tour along the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Drive reveals the full range of architecture at Mesa Verde.  From the earliest pithouses to the latest cliff dwellings.,

Ancestral Puebloans lived here for more than six centuries, 

from around A.D, 600 until about 1300.

The first permanent homes were partially underground, ensuring they were cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter.  Although most visitors to Mesa Verde come in Spring and Summer, the Ancestral Pueblo farmers were used to the year-round cycle of seasons.

The Pithouse (A.D. 600) built modest dwellings--shallow its dug into the ground.  About A.D. 600.

Aboveground dwellings were in a series of rooms.  From a foundation of shallow slab-lined pits, the walls of these rooms were built up of a lattice of wooden poles plastered over with mud. 

About A.D. 850.

Circular often associated with a kiva.

This collection of rooms is most likely extended family.  Several living and storage rooms surrounding a kiva and courtyard--known as a "unit Pueblo' represent a type of family home of the late A.D. 1100.

Without beasts of burden or wheeled vehicles, they carried tons of stone, soil, and water by hand to build elaborate multi-story buildings.  

The Ancestral Pueblo people were sophisticated builders using the simplest of technology.  Without worked metal, they used stone, wood, bone, and leather to make digging tools, axes, knives, and small tools for fine work.  

With simple surveying tools, they often aligned structures with cardinal directions, local landmarks, and celestial events.

This Reservoir was built in at least two phases beginning about A.D. 900.

Complete protein filled with the combination of squash, beans, and corn.

This village was constructed long before Mesa Verde's famous cliff dwellings.

We came upon the Ute Indian Mountain Tribal Soda Park.  Husband and wife from the Ute Tribe selling jewelry.  (Covid, the soda counter was closed.)

 Purchase of the Kok0pelli, the God of Harvest and Plenty; presides over both childbirth and agriculture.

Cliff Palace

The crown jewel of Mesa Verde National Park and an architectural masterpiece is the largest cliff dwelling in North America.  The Ancestral Pueblo people decided to move into the cliff-side alcoves about A.D. 1200 and build elaborate and expensive structures like Cliff Palace.

Around A.D. 1200, some of the people then living on Mesa Verde moved away from their mesa top fields and into the cliffs and alcoves, often re-occupying sites that had been inhabited by their ancestors 600 years earlier.

Tim and I, at Navajo Canyon, took more than a moment to observe the world of mesas, canyons, and expansive views where the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here for over 700 years.

The construction of Cliff Palace was in the 20 years between A.D. 1260 - 1280.  Basic raw materials are abundant  Sandstone and mortar ingredients.

We have discovered a place that time has forgotten here at Mesa Verde National Park

 a World Heritage Site!

We are departing this special place.  We are excited to be on our way to Lake Powell for some water recreation via Indian Reservation country.

A historical landmark in San Juan County.   To Protect and Preserve, the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Four Corners Monument is closed until further notice due to Covid.

This is the only place where four states meet and share a region:

 Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.  

This also marks the boundary between two semi-autonomous Native American governments, the Navajo Nation, which maintains the monument, and the Ute Mountain Tribe Reservation.  The monument is located on the Colorado Plateau, approx 40 miles southwest of Mesa Verde.

Durango, Colorado-United RV Park 7/29 - 8/2 2020 Travel Tour

 From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com Tim and Linda Bunyan

Colorado Highway Route 550 is a spur of U.S. Highway 50. 

 The section from Ouray to Silverton is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.  

It is a designated part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.  The route travels through the San Juan Mountains.  It is the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to 

the summit of Red Mountain Pass (Elevation: 11,018'--

--where RV's dare to tread!).  

We leave behind Ouray upon the Million Dollar Highway that connects Ouray to Silverton through the San Juan Mountains.  

We cross over these mountains that have been in our view since departing Moab!

We head out from Ouray to Silverton and our destination is Durango, Colorado.
The Highway is nicely paved and marked for safety.  Hwy 550 is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.  "The Million Dollar Highway".  Tim awarded Ron&Fran the Million Dollar Highway banner for their bravery and proving the ability of the Black Knight and RV Imagine on the road!

Imagine that!

An "overpass" for an active avalanche shute on the Million Dollar Hiway south of Ouray.

The Red Mountain is in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, about 5 miles south of Ouray.  The reddish iron ore rocks cover the surface.  Elevation of the Pass: 11,018.

A series of steep grades and hairpin turns.

Spectacular view of the San Juan Mountains.

Breathtaking views on the Million Dollar Highway which was constructed finally in 1924.  Historically in the 1880s, the only way in and out of the mining town of Silverton was a narrow pack trail.  Russian immigrant Mears built a toll road over Red Mountain pass between Ouray and Silverton transforming the narrow pack trail into one that could accommodate wagons. 

 Now, this Million Dollar Highway is built.

Road Grader equipment is always ready to keep the highway open in case of rock slides and rain that may wash out the shoulder of the road.

We reach former silver mining camp: Silverton now a federally designated National Historic Landmark District, Population near 700; Elevation: 9,318 feet.  Silverton is one of the highest towns in the United States.

Grand Imperial Hotel 

Downtown Silverton, Population near 700.

In 1871 miners were allowed to stay after the Brunot Treaty.  In exchange for giving up four million acres, the Southern Ute Indian Reservation received $25,000 per year.

The town is catering to tourists during Covid by setting up outdoor seating for the restaurants to serve.

Odd, resident here is working on his airstream....'inside' his garage.  Must be he owns this historic land lot that served as a fueling station in years gone by.

Off-roaders and four-wheelers come to enjoy the mountain roads where the trailhead is located at the end of Main Street.

We do not stop for any amount of time in Silverton; we are eager to arrive at Durango as we are going to dinner with Carole Rominger, our financial advisor of over 20 years!  She moved from Sacramento to this small, country setting town of Durango, Colorado..

Ski area between Silverton and Durango.  Ready for snow.

We have come from 9,000 Elevation to 6,500' Elevation to the rural countryside of the town Durango, Population 16,000.

We arrive at United RV Park, at $45.00 per night.  It is located on the north end of Durango on the banks of the Animas River.  The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train runs through the campground.  With Covid, we canceled our train ride to Silverton.

  The sites are with water, electricity, and sewer.  Since we are here for only 3 days Tim and I opt for water and electricity and the dump station at the park at the end of our stay.

  This option (Water& Electric) (sewer as we drive out) saves about $40.00 for our entire stay.  

There is wifi available at this park.  Tim and I have such a premium, utility with our cell plan, we can view any broadcasts we choose by using our cellular hot spot.  Highly recommend this cell feature as RV parks wifi can be unreliable.  We use our cell booster and wifi booster system to improve the opportunity for RV Park offerings.

We are nestled in our spot here where shade is the premium to any site!  We've partial shade and good neighbors!  

Here is the fine rooftop of our RV.  Tim is very proud and happy with the solar installation.  The solar system is doing all the battery charging since June.  It makes me happy that Tim does not need to be so concerned with keeping the batteries charged. 

Tim has not had to charge the batteries with the generator since we left Sacramento!

Ron and Fran in their 25' Imagine travel trailer and the Black Ram Knight!

MikeG and Sherry in their 35' HighCountry 5th Wheel and their new Chevrolet Black Stallion High Country truck!  You may say they are 'living high'!!!

We are happy and Tim and I meeting Carole for dinner.  Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran getting together for their evening.

We've come to the big town of Durango, with a Walmart, and a Population of 16,000.
 The last city we experience was Grand Junction, Colorado, Population near 58,000!
(two Walmarts in GJ).

Tim and I are going out to dinner!

Meet up just outside of Durango at the Cafe Kennebec.  Carol made reservations for the patio dining.

Beautiful views of the La Plata river and mountains.  Durango Rock Shelters Archeology Site is an ancient Pueblo people archaeological site.  People from the Late Basketmaker II and Basketmaker III eras inhabited the area between AD 1 and 1000.  (Mesa Verde about 35 miles West of Durango).

The Kennebec offers an atmosphere of casual elegance in comfortable surroundings and safe Covid spacing seating.

Tim and I tend to errands and meeting with Carole.  On the return to RV Park, we stop at the highly recommended fruit stand in the high school parking lot selling local Palisades peaches and sweet corn.

We are out with the gang Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran at a local, safe seating, BBQ restaurant located near our RV Park.

The next day we go to one of our favorite things to do an outdoor music concert.  This is at a local winery: Fox Fire Farms.  The stunning location on a 900-acre ranch provides the perfect backdrop for dinking a glass of wine and an afternoon music special event. 

An afternoon to get away from it all.

Beautiful girlfriend, Sherry, looking especially good surrounded with flowers.

We have a table but the boys went to the truck to retrieve our extra comfy chairs.

The next day we take a countryside drive on U.S. Highway 550 in the Animas Valley.  The "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" film crew converged on the Durango area, making a big splash.  This is the rock cliff where the famous cliff-jumping scene was filmed.

Here is Mike with Baker's Bridge in the background where Old Shalone Road crosses the Animas River.  It's where Paul Newman and Robert Redford jump from a cliff into a river.  (through editing, they land in a different river, not the Animas, in the film).

The (Butch Cassidy and the SunDance Kid-movie filmed here: Newman and Redford jumping scene was shot on Sherwood Ranch at Baker's Bridge. 

 Many still come to the Animas River to jump in!  There is Mike climbing up to the rock....for a view...not jumping in!

There's one guy not going to jump in!

We end the day just as dark clouds threaten with rain.  We moved our lunch place from the outdoor picnic table to the grill patio at local James Ranch.

Here at James Ranch Market, it is open and well-stocked. We purchased grass-fed and whey=fed beef.  I purchased eggs produced from pastured hens.

10 miles out of Durango in the beautiful Animas River Valley.  Busy families, who utilize organic growing practices bustle in the day-to-day operation of the ranch and their enterprises.  It has been a peaceful, green visit to Durango.  Nice to enjoy the valley and countryside.  

Now off to some more "Rock Stars"!!.....following the early Puebleans from Durango to Mesa Verde.

Tim and I are moving on to Mesa Verde National Park for $20.00/night.  No concern for us to be without services.  We have our generator should we need air conditioning.  We expect to hike around the ruins on most days.  Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran will join us in a couple of days.  They like their electrical plugin, water connection, and sewer connection, and Wifi availability.  We can plan to be comfortable by Tim running the generator for air conditioning, refilling the water supply, and sewer/dump station is available at the NP.  As it happens, we also have an uninterrupted Wifi signal at the NP from a 'repeater' on the restroom building.  "Home Sweet Home" .

The ancient Puebloans........without electrical power!