Cortez to Bluff
March 29th
We stopped in Cortez Colorado some years ago returning from Mexico and visited Mesa Verde, one of the largest ruins of cliff houses around. This time we planned to see more ruins and archeological sites most of which are designated National Monuments or National Parks.
March 30th
In the morning we set off first to the Anasazi Heritage Center which is located near the small town of Dolores and one of the best we have ever seen. There are displays of all sorts—even hands on weaving!Microscopes as well as videos and reproductions of dwellings, many original artifacts such as arrowheads and pottery as well reproductions of things that would not have survived such as bows, arrows, spears and clothing. Art spent all his time inside while Gillian took the dogs for a short stroll to a small ruin.
We next drove a bit north and west, the last 10 miles on dirt roads—muddy and wet in some spots. We later discovered that this road had been closed due to snow just a few days before. This area is part of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. We visited only one site, the Lowry Indian Ruins, t. These are being excavated and restored.
Returning to the RV park we had a very late lunch then Gillian went to the office to pay that night's rent. At the office she was advised that we probably wouldn't be able to get the rest of the area tomorrow as there was a winter storm warning posted with snow forecast over night and the next few days.
Within 45 minutes we were on the road to Bluff! Some of these ruins can be accessed from the Utah side as the park straddled the state border. The highway (160) was less than great—some of the poorer roads in Mexico have met their match. A few pot holes but extremely bumpy from what appear to be frost heaves. Practice for our Alaska trip?
In any case we arrived safely at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park. Trekker of course was enthralled with the animals—ducks, donkey, horse, sheep and emus! Tia was mostly interested in the duck on the pond—they probably reminded her of the birds in the estuary at El Manglar!
March 31st
Wednesday was the day for more of the National Monuments, here on the Utah side it is Hovenweep National Monument though there are connecting roads through to the Colorado side.
Here there are many fine ruins of stone towers and buildings around the canyon top and partway down the canyon wall. A two mile trail winds above the canyon top to or at least near many of these ruins—on a warmer day Gillian and the dogs would have enjoyed good hike!
The Anasazi, or Puebloans, two of the names for the first people here, have been here for over 800 years, living by dry farming (no use of irrigation), gathering and hunting. Researchers have been able to follow changes in weather and climate over the centuries showing great changes in the area that could support dry farming. Some periods, decades or centuries, the area would be four or five times the normal, then would follow dry times where the suitable area would shrink. I think it was the early 1300s, a few centuries before the arrival of the white man, when there was a 25 year span where no crops could grow. This coincided with the abandonment of the settlements.
April 1st What an April Fool's Day! Freezing out side and the wind howling from the west. Again..
Art notice that a motorhome had arrived sometime during the night and the owner and his son were up on the roof try to secure the remnants of their awning which the wind had shredded while they were driving last night! Art was able to lend them some tools and with bits of twine they managed to make do.
Dad and two kids had flown to California from Indiana to buy their first motorhome and of course had no tools nor sufficient warm clothing. They had been given no instruction, no hose, no nothing! Art invited him in to check road reports on the laptop—snow! If this doesn't discourage them from the RV lifestyle nothing will!
We spent the rest of the morning reading e-mails and weather reports and doing a bit of record keeping. By noon it looked like it was going to clear so we piled into the car with warm coats and set off for the Valley of the Gods. There is a rough dirt road through the area, which took us about an hour to drive around. The pictures can speak for themselves.
On the way back we stopped at the local trading post and cafe for lunch then back to the rig. The wind had come up again strong and cold and blowing dust. Time for a cup of tea then back to the laptop again while the dogs had a nap.
In a bit the wind eased, the sun made an appearance, though the cloud to the west looked pretty ominous so Art took the opportunity to hook up the water hose and refill the tank in preparation for leaving in the morning while Gillian took the dogs for a quick walk. We both finished just in time, the sun gone behind another great chunk of cloud and while not windy, just enough of a cold breeze to make it uncomfortable. We can just see many of you chuckling or even laughing out loud. After gloating over our hot sunny winter we probably deserve it! We even had a trace of hail, just to rub our noses in it!
An interesting (for some) occurrence, there was a single clap of thunder during the mini hail drop and simultaneously the satellite lost sound and picture for about 10 seconds. Art theorised that the lightning had ionised the air in the signal path, absorbing the signal.
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