One of my Favorite Places!!!

[IlliniGuy]

Back in the 90's, I had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Southwest Four Corners region. I visited dozens of Pueblo Indian sites and Museums. My favorite place of all was Mesa Verde National Park. There is no other like it! Mesa Verde has 4000 archaeological sites and some 600 cliff Dwellings. I hate to sound like a travel guide here, but I have been there 6 times now and it is a thrill every time. The top left pic is Spruce Tree House, top right is Cliff Palace, bottom right is Square Tower House. Sorry, the name of bottom left escapes me at the moment. Sorry for the pics, they are scans of old 35mm photos.

 

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[larson1951]

i wish i could go there
way way cool

 

[Charl]

One of my favorite places as well. I was very, very fortunate, and made a real good decision, by catching the very first early morning rail trip to Spruce Tree House, 2nd only to Cliff Palace in size at Mesa Verde, I believe. Anyway, less then a dozen people on that morning, almost like having the cliff dwelling to oneself, esp. for photos. Thanks for the memories, IlliniGuy!

 

[GaRebel1861]

What an amazing place to see! Wish I could visit it.

 

[IlliniGuy]

Larson, you owe it to yourself to visit The Mesa at least once. Charl, you are right, there is no way to explain the feeling of walking in one of these magnificent Ruins. Here are some pics of Far View, a mesa Top ruin.View attachment 713333View attachment 713334View attachment 713335[

 

[IlliniGuy]

Inside Spruce Tree House which includes three Basket weaver Pit houses

 

[unclemac]

yes, the whole 4 corners area is worth a road trip! If you head south a bit from Mesa Verde you get to this.....

Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


because it is a few miles down an unpaved road it does not get much of any traffic. I have been there when only my son and I went on the guided tours with the ranger. There are arrow heads on the ground (don't touch) and some of the pueblos have remnants of their original painted stucco walls (interior). And while you are in the area head over to this place too.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


forget the Grand Canyon....that place is a tourist trap.

 

[IlliniGuy]

Been there too Unclemac. First is a Great Kiva at Chetro Ketl. Second and third is White House Ruin at Canyon de Chelly

.

 

[rock]

Great looking place. How far away is the water?

 

[IlliniGuy]

Rock, you must understand this is high desert. At Mesa Verde, Far View for instance, there is a man made reservoir they used to collect water. Most of the sites were near some sort of water but at Chaco that source is actually called a wash and is only seasonally wet. It was bone dry when I was there. These people managed with the bare minimum of water.

 

[rock]

Must of been tough. Thanks for letting us see it.

 

[Tnmountains]

Simply beautiful . No other words.

 

[pickaway]

I'd like to go out that way and walk around ,nice pics.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Hope to visit there someday.

 

[Get-the-point]

Ok everyone we should all have a class trip!!!.................lol........It actually would be great if we could all come together and explore a great feat of Native American ingenuity!!! I'm in for a spring trip. I think the temps would be to hot during the summer!!! Just a thought!! Let's hear what everyone thinks of it!! i'm sure i can squeeze a week or two this spring............................Chris

 

[IlliniGuy]

Ok everyone we should all have a class trip!!!.................lol........It actually would be great if we could all come together and explore a great feat of Native American ingenuity!!! I'm in for a spring trip. I think the temps would be to hot during the summer!!! Just a thought!! Let's hear what everyone thinks of it!! i'm sure i can squeeze a week or two this spring............................Chris

That would be fun, I haven't been out there in several years. Mesa Verde is good year round. But...if you are going to Chaco or Canyon de Chelly spring or fall is best. It was 106 when I was at Chaco (in July) and 100 plus when I was at Canyon de Chelly. But, it was a dry heat lol.