Leaving New Mexico we traveled to the famous “Four Corners”. Where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet. We decided to go from New Mexico, into Arizona, into Utah and ending up in Colorado. It was a windy road, with lots of ups and downs along the way. It was like a giant rolling roller coaster. You know how you enjoy the funny feeling in your belly like your floating for the first couple of minutes while on the ride? Well imagine that feeling for hours. And not being able to get off of the ride. And there is nothing to see out the window. So kinda like you are trapped on a roller coaster in the middle of the desert. FYI.....I do not recommend Highway US 64 in New Mexico. It was one of the worst bumpy roads we have been on. Once we crossed into Arizona the roads where nicely paved and with wide shoulders.
Then there was the weather. It was cloudy and miserably foggy. You would see nothing for miles and then out of no where something would pop up in the distance. A type of form. But you couldn't see what it was until you got close and there it was. A mountain, in the middle of nowhere.
There is a welcoming sign that leads us to a dirt road off of the main highway.
We pull up to the little building and see that it is not free to stop at the Four Corners monument. It cost us $12.00 to get in. The Four Corners monument was on the Navajo Nation property.
They receive no federal money and have to maintain the area themselves. The road and parking area was dirt and uneven with bumps through out. Cars where parked haphazardly through out. Since it was a dirt parking lot, there were no lines or pre made parking spots, so everyone parked where ever they wanted to. Making it a mess. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking when they drive. Like in the visitor centers where it specifies RV PARKING and there are really long spots for RV’s to park, you will see little SUV’s or vans parked there taking up half the spot. Really? You don’t see all of the normal size parking spots on the parameter? I truly wanted to follow a couple in to one visitor center and ask them if they were always that ignorant!
Anyway, back to the Four Corners. Surrounding the dirt parking lot were steep mountains and no guard rails!
In the center of the parking lot was a type of open air building that had a roof and side walls separating each individual section where tables were set up with locals selling their jewelry and carvings.. In the very center of that open air building, surrounded by walk ways and benches, was the Four Corners monument. A big circle on the ground, divided into 4 quarters, listing each state on each quarter. Hard to explain. Gabe and I stood on each state and Joe took our picture. Sometimes seeing it is easier than explaining.
We ate lunch and then headed out, on our way to Cortez Colorado, home to Mesa Verde National Park. Our first cliff dwellings!
We were spending 2 nights at the Sundance RV Park, right in the center of the small town of Cortez. Only about 10 miles to the park.
We got settled in, unhooked the car and the rain started. Wind and rain. We were told by the park host that it is highly unusual to have so much rain at that time of year, for which they are thankful for as they were in a draught. We are on the other hand were on vacation and wanted sunshine!
So we waited to go the next morning, which according to the weather station was going to be beautiful with showers in the afternoon. They were wrong. The next morning we got up and it was storming. We did laundry, hung out at the camper, which we hadn’t really done yet on this trip, always running to different places. But we were ready to go climbing and exploring! We waited until after lunch and headed to the park. The clouds where still ominous out to the south, but is was dry!
We pulled into the Visitor center and thunder was over head. It was getting cooler and none of us had thought to bring a sweat shirt. So we go in and ask about a tour to one of the cliff dwellings. Nope all sold out. But we can go on our own. It was 22 miles into the park from the visitor center and the tour was only about a mile round trip. Easy enough. As long as the rain held off. Honestly I didn’t’ want to go. It was cold and going to storm and I wanted us to be tucked in safe in the camper. But it wasn’t about me. So we went. Took the long drive up and down through the mountains. Gabe and I were sitting in the back of the car, checking the radar for as long as I had service, which didn’t last long. We were going to do the Spruce Tree Cliff Dwelling.
We drove through a tunnel and on the other side the sky was clearing......
We parked with everyone else and headed down along the path. Again, no hand rails. Joe kept reminding me this wasn’t Disney, it was real. Just pay attention and you will be fine. So Gabe all decked out in his survivor man gear, hooked me up to him with a grappling hook and rope. Just in case he said, so I don’t propel down the side without a rope. Good kid.
Looking over the edge...And with zoom....the people look like ants....
The dare devils....while I sit the perfect distance away......
It wasn’t as steep as I thought and the park had put in some rail road ties to help with walking down and back up. We made it to the bottom and just stopped in awe. It was amazing. There were houses built into the mountains by the Indians. With only man made hand tools, ones that now adays would be laughed at. But they managed to build themselves amazing structures.
Jr. Ranger Oath!We left the dwellings and drove around the park to the various look out points.......
This next picture you won't believe.......on the drive back to the visitor center leading us out of the park, I saw a teenage Grizzly Bear crossing the road! I couldn't speak coherently to notify everyone else, and when I did, the bear was over on the side of the hill headed down. Luckily Joe saw him before he disappeared into the trees. Unfortunately Tina and Gabe didn't see him.
THIS IS WHERE THE PICTURE OF THE BEAR WOULD OF BEEN IF I HAD THE CAMERA IN TIME
We headed back to the campsite, excited about our day and what we saw and learned. Of course Tina and Gabe were besides themselves that they didn't see a one time only viewing of a very hard to find Grizzly Bear. So they would randomly yell out "Squirrel" and then boast how they saw it and we didn't:)
Off to Moab Utah and our next adventure!
It looks like a fabulous time! So many memories you will have. So glad you have at least determined your state your going to! Miss you.
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