- Visit the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado with its Native American Anasazi rock dwellings
Once again wonderfully rested from sleeping in a queen-size bed. We refuel, refill engine oil and drive south via Monticello and from there south-east. Another cloudless, hot day is ahead of us. We make rapid progress on the highway and after a good 2 hours we reach our intermediate destination: Cortez, Colorado .. After a shopping stop at the chaotic Walmart, we have provisions for the next two days.
Soon after, we arrive in Mesa Verde National Park. After the obligatory visit to the Visitors Center, we check into the slightly more expensive, but well-equipped campground. Yes it has showers and even WiFi. Mesa Verde is the only national park in the United States established to protect an archaeological site. That alone indicates the importance of this place.
This afternoon we take a look at the extensive park and its ruins for ourselves. The spectrum ranges from the first simple dwellings in the interior of the earth, so-called pit houses (600 AD), to simply above-ground buildings, to the 800-year-old rock dwellings, also known as pueblos. We can only admire the Balcony House and the famous Cliff Palace from a great distance. Only those who book a tour led by rangers can get in. That's why we booked tickets for the Cliff Palace tour tomorrow morning. We take a hike at the Spruce Tree House, the best preserved residential complex in the park. We also want to have a look at the petroglyphs - rock art from prehistoric times. Unfortunately, this hike is not worth the effort. There is only one place where you can clearly see some fields, otherwise the path is steep, difficult and strenuous. We pay another visit to the viewpoint on the Cliff Palace before we drive back to the campground. After a shower - actually only the second campground that offers showers - we grill our steak.
