We're in Southwest Colorado

 

After Santa Fe, NM we moved North to Heron Lake State Park, Los Ojos, NM, just about 15 miles from Colorado.   On our way to the park from Santa Fe, we followed our GPS instructions like we always do. When we were about 20 miles from the park, the GPS said to turn left on a county road, so we did.  After a good 15 miles and the road getting more narrow, the GPS said to turn right on County road 95.  At that spot was a dirt road with a closed gate so no way could we make the turn.  A couple miles down the road I found a utility company access road and was able to maneuver a turnaround, and after consulting my paper map, found the way to the park having driven some 40 miles out of the way.  Oh well, the scenery was fine and it's logged as an experience. (and a lesson to check the GPS with a map)

 

 

This guy didn't seem bothered by our presence. This pic was from the truck window just 4 or 5 feet away.

The view from the visitor center at Heron lake

 

Heron Lake camp site for three days.

 

 

Navajo State Park, Arboles, CO was our next stop. We stayed here only two nights and one day visited Chimney Rock Nat'l Monument, which is about 30 miles form Pagosa Springs, CO.  Another example of the lifestyle of the Pueblo People a thousand years or so ago.  This group, the Chaco culture, seemed to be the ones in charge at this place as they lived high on the mountain while the Pueblo people did the farming in the valley. No-where does the information, or the tour guide presentaion say it, but these people on the hill had to have food to live and the Pueblo people in the valley were farmers. Put two and two together and it appears the Chaco people had to have some way to get food from the Pueblo people. Fear?  Who knows - the guides didn't want to talk about it when asked by one of the other tourists.  I suppose if one of you did some research an answer could be found - let me know if you find it.

Chimney Rock and a Chaco structure

 

A view from Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock Trail was pretty grueling. It was only accessible via a guided tour with a guide in front and at the rear of the group.  One lady had to be escorted back down as she began to hyperventilate from the high narrow trail.
 

Our tour guide at the top of the Chimney Rock trail.

From Navajo State Park we drove 138 miles to McPhee Recreation Area near Cortez, CO, located in the Southwest corner of the state.  From here we were able to branch out and spend a day at Mesa Verde National Park and another day at Hovenweep National Monument across the state line in Utah.

Mesa Verde had several great examples of the Pueblo People creativity as seen here where they lived under the protection of these limestone cliffs where they built their homes of clay bricks.
 

Making our way down the cliff trail where the original residents walked  (My guess is the steps came later)

I imagine this deer was on the Pueblo menu (or at least one of his ancestors)

Hovenweep National Monument, Utah is another site preserved to show how the Pueblo people lived and survived a thousand years ago.  Some ask, "Why did they leave". Actually, they didn't.  They just moved on to better conditions as time passed. Pueblo descendants still live in the area of NM and Southern Colorado.

Click on the arrow below and see a short clip of the trail.

It's hard to imagine these people thriving in this climate, but they did.

This Pueblo community built 'on' the cliffs and always on the edge. Wonder why?  Better security? Easier to dispose of their trash? 

On the trail at Hovenweep.
 

After climbing this final incline, we headed for the truck and back to McPhee Campground.

Our next stops include Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, CO, then Clifton, CO for the weekend. After that we'll be at Rifle Gap State Park for two months. Just heard today there was another forest fire just 15 miles North of Rifle.  News says it's 85% contained, so hopefully we won't get into it.