Hiking: 9 miles
Part 4 of our 10-day trip. Check it out from the beginning or maybe from DAY 4-5 CANYONLANDS – THE NEEDLES DISTRICT.
After yesterday’s backpacking trip, we drove directly to Mesa Verde, stopping for some serious food, just outside Mesa Verde. When we drove into Mesa Verde late in the evening it was like driving back in time, to what I think would have been the 1950’s. The park campground has kitschy art deco signs, pancake breakfast, café, showers, laundry, and all the makings of an a Brady Bunch family vacation.
The next morning, the day of the 100th Birthday of our National Parks, we did the 2017 special archaeological hike of Mug House near Wetherill Mesa. Mug house was named after the finding of three mugs tied together inside on of the rooms. The ranger-led hike was 3-miles down the side of the cliff. It was our first experience of Puebloan life and the kids listened like it was their ancestors. It’s interesting that this area of the desert had more people then, than there are today. On the road to our next Mesa Verde destination we saw tons of poop along the side of the road. We found out later it was part of some wild horse that have escaped from neighboring ranches into the park.
After we tried to visit Spruce Tree House, but it was closed for some reason. We opted instead to visit the museum and bought tickets for Balcony House. As we were buying the tickets, Will began feeling ill and opted against the hike.
On our way to Balcony House, I began feeling sorry for who we were and what we did to the Native Americans of North America. Scattered among the National Park are native sites and trading posts. Each one reminded me of our white barbarianism.
When we arrived to Balcony House, Noah was picked to be the Jr. Park Ranger by the Ranger Guide and he stood by the ranger the whole time, close and open iron gates, and remind people of rules. He jumped into the role with full enthusiasm. The hike required a climb up a 32-foot ladder. I didn’t think I was afraid of heights, but because the ladder was thicker rungs and painted white my sense of perception was skewed and I had a minor panic attack on the ladder. My silent attack I’m sure lasted only a few seconds, but I was sure it was 5 minutes. It reminds me that no matter how old we are, we are always discovering who we are and what our bodies and minds will allow.
On our way back, we did another self-guided tour of the massive plateau and realized the impact that thousands of people, more than live in the area today, had on the land and their resources. After hundreds of years of cutting down slow growing trees for firewood the land became barren–barren enough to farm!
That night, I was SO excited for my white birthday cake at the ranger talk to celebrate the 100-year anniversary, but the rain had followed us and rained out the talk. We went to sleep with me craving cake. Tomorrow we were on the road again, starting the long ride home…