We've been on a mini-roadtrip through parts of the Four Corners area. One reason that posts were few-and-far-between is that exploring at this altitude was hard on these tourists from the flatlands. I didn't have much energy at the end of the day!
view from Park Point, Mesa Verde National Park
Our home in Florida is about seven feet (7) above sea-level. Walking at seven thousand feet (7,000) plus takes a little more work.
(OK, I admit it, breathing at this altitude takes more work!)
FOR: SIGNS SIGNS. (It's nice to be back.)
The altitude and the fantastic views will both take your breath away! Thanks for this awesome photo tour...
Posted by: pat | July 09, 2012 at 01:07 PM
wow...beautiful view!!
such a difference from flat florida!!
i know what you mean about the huffing & puffing...when we get up to georgia or alabama...and hike...whew! my leg muscles sure know it the next day!
Posted by: laura k | July 02, 2012 at 12:54 PM
How I wish I could hike at those altitudes again! Anything over 5,000' I need oxygen for and for someone who adores the Alps. Rockies and Himalayas, that is a pest.
What lovely experiences you enjoyed.
Posted by: Arija | June 29, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Thanks Sallie, for doing all that huffing and puffing so we could enjoy these magnificent vistas.
Breathe:)
Posted by: Pam | June 29, 2012 at 03:42 PM
I'm going to have to look up where Four Corners, Mesa Verde is... that is gorgeous up there, Sallie! A few years ago I found out the hard way that I was prone to altitude sickness, but I've learned how to deal with it. There are herbal pills I take, and, as someone else mentioned, I walk slowly and drink tons of water. What I also learned from my hero Ruth when she climbed high in Tibet for her 70th birthday and her son had to turn back when he got sick, is that older people handle the altitude better, in part because they breath more shallow!
Posted by: Francisca | June 29, 2012 at 02:08 AM
Once you have caught your breath, the views must be amazing.
Posted by: Lesley | June 28, 2012 at 02:58 PM
More wonderful photos! I would so like to travel out West this Fall! Beautiful country...so different as you said!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | June 28, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I understand that life sometimes gets in the way of blogging.
Nice sign and a beautiful view!
Posted by: Halcyon | June 28, 2012 at 08:20 AM
the views are certainly worth the effort but I know how uncomfortable it is
last time I visited Colorado I had a very hard time until I finally began to adjust
Posted by: dianne | June 28, 2012 at 04:03 AM
Breathing at this altitude takes more work, but it takes in more fresh and healthy air.
Posted by: Rainfield | June 28, 2012 at 03:08 AM
I learn this lesson on our honeymoon when the Old Salt took me to a few high elevations as we traveled to Missouri from California.
Lovely photos. The view was certainly worth the effort.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | June 28, 2012 at 12:42 AM
I'm sure the views from that height would be wonderful but my lungs would be struggling too.
Posted by: Mick | June 27, 2012 at 10:09 PM
Must be very tiring -- but oh, those views are fabulous.
Posted by: Lady Fi | June 27, 2012 at 09:11 PM
I hear you! These pictures are wonderful. (Driving through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to get to North Carolina, I am keenly aware of the loss of altitude as I go. I welcome it, but it takes its toll.)
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | June 27, 2012 at 07:56 PM
Great sign. Great view.
Posted by: J Bar | June 27, 2012 at 07:43 PM
I experienced the same thing when we visited Colorado Springs 2 years ago. And I was 40 lbs heavier so that didn't help.
Love the vista you shared with us today. Looks like an amazing trip. :)
Posted by: Gail | June 27, 2012 at 07:04 PM
Definitely a big difference between 7 and 7000! Hope your trip west is going well. Did you bring any summer heat with you from FL? We need it here. :-)
Posted by: Sally in WA | June 27, 2012 at 06:20 PM
My sis and Mom are in Colorado, the fires are really scarey!
This is an awesome photo...Enjoy the mountains!!
Posted by: Sondra | June 27, 2012 at 05:47 PM
The Olympics are coming up soon. I hope you signed up.
Posted by: Andy | June 27, 2012 at 05:24 PM
That sure is a difference in altitude!
Posted by: EG Wow | June 27, 2012 at 03:38 PM
Beautiful views. Kinda takes your breath away.... in more ways than one!
Posted by: Pat | June 27, 2012 at 02:59 PM
Move slowly and drink lots of water at that altitude. Dehydration is common with "altitude sickness." That is a beautiful park worth your time to do some walking, but take it easy.
Posted by: Taken For Granted | June 27, 2012 at 02:59 PM
Well done Sallie!
You were up higher than the highest mountain in Australia - Mount Kosciuszko which is 7,310 feet above sea level or 2,228 metres!
I hope that the view didn't show the fires that are raging in Colorado? All being covered in news here. Pity we, in Australia, can't send our incessant rain all along the Pacific coastline across to the fire stricken areas. The rain just won't cease! And the flu and also conjunctivitis is rampant here in Brisbane. Naturally I have both so am house-bound and not very happy about it!
Happy and safe travelling on your way to Oregon.
Cheers ( between wheezes etc.)
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Weather report: RAINING!!!!!!!! and unseasonally cold!!!
Posted by: Colin Huggins | June 27, 2012 at 02:43 PM
I always feel the altitude issue when I hike in the mountains. Wonderful shots.
Posted by: Carver | June 27, 2012 at 02:42 PM
It is great you are able to do the hike, congrats. Lovely photos, I would love to be traveling across the country at my leisure. Maybe someday. For now, I am enjoying your photos. Keep them coming.
Posted by: Eileen | June 27, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Nice shots - I live and work out at 7,500 feet elevation! I've yet to visit the four corners area.
Thanks for your concern about the wildfire - it's crazy out here. Houses directly behind my office have supposedly burned, not that we've been allowed there since Sunday. Fortunately our house is on the other side of town.
Posted by: Al | June 27, 2012 at 02:00 PM
O how scenic! Exciting to be high above the world and walking with the clouds! Looks like a great experience!
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | June 27, 2012 at 01:20 PM
What - only 8,572'...just kidding Sallie. It looks dry there too. Will you return to your family in CO?
Posted by: Barb | June 27, 2012 at 01:02 PM
I've always wanted to go to that area. I've never really been anywhere high above sea level - it must be an odd feeling to be out of breath.
Posted by: RedPat | June 27, 2012 at 12:42 PM
And conversely, when we were in France and way nearer to sea level than our home in Las Cruces, we were dragging around a bit. Of course, it didn't help that we got a little touch of the flu!
Beautiful shots, and I look forward to more. You must have been up there before the Colorado fires got started, as I think the skies would be smoky-looking by now.
Posted by: Clair Z. | June 27, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Must be "breath-taking in every way! (I had to look upFour Corners Area!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners)
Posted by: HAZEL | June 27, 2012 at 12:29 PM
ha ha. i'd imagine so! quite a difference!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | June 27, 2012 at 12:02 PM
wow, i could imagine all the good vista you've seen from up there.
SIGNS, SIGNS
Posted by: Ewok | June 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM
wow, i can imagine the heavy breathing here.:p
8,572 feet is indeed a lot of work---you did it! congratulations, Sally. the view from the top is beautiful.
Posted by: Luna Miranda | June 27, 2012 at 11:39 AM