This post is about the ancient part of OUR WORLD that we visited in June. Thank you to the Our World hosts (Click on the links for the best virtual traveling of the week.)
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made Mesa Verde a National Park "to preserve the works of man". It is the only National Park with the specific purpose of preserving our archeological heritage.
We visited several cliff dwellings. Spruce Tree House was constructed between 1200 and 1276. It contains 114 rooms and eight kivas. (Kivas are ceremonial chambers.)
Spruce Tree House is built into a natural cave that measures 216 feet.
Archeologists think it was home for around 100 people. Because the natural overhanging cliff protected the dwelling there was very little deterioration.
The keyhole windows in this dwelling are interesting -- there is no known reason for them to be that shape -- maybe the people were just adding a decorative touch to their homes.
The low wall in front of the courtyard set the dwelling apart from a refuse dump. The small rooms were mostly used as bedrooms. The families lived and worked in the courtyards, on the rooftops and on balconies, which used to extend from the front of the bulding. The poles near the top row of windows are original wooden supports of a balcony.
Long House is a larger dwelling. The Park brochure lists access as strenuous -- But we made it! It's only accessible by ranger-led tour. After a tram ride to the trailhead, there's a half-mile walk to the dwelling with a 130-foot gain in elevation. There are two 15-foot ladders to be climbed inside the dwelling.
It's worth the climb because at the end of it, here you are -- sitting in the same place where these Ancient Puebloans lived and worked.
As with all of our wonderful National Parks, access for everyone is the best part. It's amazing to walk right into these dwellings.
Mesa Verde isn't the easiest park to negotiate. The Visitor Center is a 15 mile drive from the Park Entrance over a winding road. (And the Park Entrance is several miles from the nearest town, where we were staying.) It's a huge park. Scattered about over its 52,000 acres are over 5,000 archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings....
.... So it goes without saying that we didn't get to visit everything. And it's yet another place on our "we'd go back again someday if we could" list.
J'apprécie ce style de village qui me fait penser aux villages troglo dans mon Anjou
Posted by: l'Angevine | August 01, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Linda and I were just there. Checked out the loop drive,
Spruces Tree and, Cliff Palace.. In doing the climbing I could tell we were at a higher elevation LOL.. Great place to take some very interesting photos...
Posted by: Joe Todd | July 30, 2012 at 02:52 AM
It gives you a feeling of being small and insignificant when you visit places like this. The building is still there, the buidlers not.
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | July 25, 2012 at 02:46 PM
I had just left a comment on Dina's post, wondering what future generations will see of our presence here on earth, when I came to this. The fact that such an effort has been made to preserve this spectacular site is really encouraging. I loved this post, the keyhole windows, the thought of families working from their balconies, the feeling of slipping into another time. Messa Verde is now on my hope-to-see-some-day list!.
Posted by: Carol Carson | July 25, 2012 at 09:15 AM
How magnificent this is and how I long to someday visit Mesa Verde. Thanks for taking me there through your photos and words, Sallie.
Posted by: Penny | July 25, 2012 at 08:16 AM
Your pictures make me feel like I am there with you. They are wonderful. I have always wanted to go here. I know you are so glad you went on the toughie hike...what a view at the end. I would definitely want to go back to see more. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. genie
Posted by: genie | July 24, 2012 at 09:27 PM
Your photos take my breath away. Talk about living with the landscape!
(Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my blog!)
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | July 24, 2012 at 09:01 PM
I like how you used the term "virtual traveling." I will have to remember that description, because that is what I do with so many blogs. As I have written probably to many times (to the same person) it is the only way I get to see the world.
Your photos are excellent and you narrative is even better. I feel as if I was standing right beside you.
The first shot in some ways reminds me of the scaled models of places I've seen in museums with statues of little people added to the scene.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | July 24, 2012 at 05:33 PM
Wow, you had an amazing journey there! Even if you didn't get to see everything, what you did see was phenomenal. I remember leaving Italy remarking that we'd have to go back because we missed so much. It was impossible to see it all. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip!
Posted by: Gail | July 24, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Fantastic shots, Mesa Verde is on my buckett list of places to photograph..:-)
Posted by: Ed | July 24, 2012 at 03:38 PM
These photos are excellent-and your fitness fantastic. Many congrats!
Posted by: HAZEL | July 24, 2012 at 06:18 AM
These cliff dwellings look amazing, thanks so much for the virtual tour.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | July 24, 2012 at 04:24 AM
This is so fascinating. The history of the places we travel always is intriguing, amazing to see those key hole shaped windows, people then sure were highly artistic.
Many thanks for sharing another wonderful post Sallie, I absolutely love my travels here... because all these are places, I doubt I'll ever get to see in person :-)
Posted by: Arti | July 24, 2012 at 04:10 AM
What a great place – it’s on my bucket list.
I think being in these places firmly puts down the lie that older civilisations were primitive. I like to see what our buildings will look like when they are this old!
Stewart M
PS: another wordy post for your delight is waiting on the web!
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | July 24, 2012 at 02:52 AM
Yes this La Mesa dwellings are famous, just like the Anazazi and those in Turkey. I wonder how those people climbed their dwellings before, how do they bring water and where did they get it. It is really an amazing ingenuity of our old people. It is good that the area is not in the ring of fire to be far from the earthquakes.
Posted by: Andrea | July 24, 2012 at 01:46 AM
What a fascinating place! Lovely shots.
Posted by: ladyfi | July 23, 2012 at 11:22 PM
Most amazing and it must give you a very humble feeling of continuity, Sallie. Thank you for sharing these wonderful travels.
Posted by: Hildred | July 23, 2012 at 09:16 PM
Long house was my favorite site, to be in and feel surrounded by memories. I used to play my okarina in the large plaza below and the tones danced around the buildings and alcove. Was a magical place to work and be. Thanks for reminding me.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 23, 2012 at 08:58 PM
My mom and I visited Mesa Verde when we went on Our Great Adventure...BUT like you say there is no way to see it all...A def must return at some point. Awesome photos and good for you that made the hike!
Posted by: Sondra | July 23, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Thank goodness for Teddy Roosevelt. No telling what this place would look like today if not preserved. Great pictures, Sallie. Definitely need to put this one on my bucket list.
Posted by: Sally in WA | July 23, 2012 at 03:29 PM
This is one of the most fascinating places to visit. We hope to go back and see it again sometime too. Loved your pictures and what you did share about it.
Posted by: Krystal S | July 23, 2012 at 03:05 PM
This is just stunning Sallie...Michelle
Posted by: Rambling Woods | July 23, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Oops
Didn't appear. Well just google Mesa Verde and it can be seen.
Colin
Posted by: Colin Huggins | July 23, 2012 at 02:22 PM
That is a most informative blog entry. Thank you very much.
It is so good to know it is heritage listed as a National park.
I googled the place, it sure is worth doing if you are really interested in the history side etc.
Here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa_Verde_National_Park
Well done Sallie and many thanks.
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
Weather report: 7.15am Tuesday 24th July. Fine sunny morning but if it goes the same as the last 4 days, it will cloud over and maybe rain a bit at night
Posted by: Colin Huggins | July 23, 2012 at 02:20 PM
it's just amazing, sallie. like hallowed ancient ground.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 23, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Oh, these brought back so many memories of my first trip to Mesa Verde!! Such an incredible place and such wonderful history! Terrific captures, Sally!!
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | July 23, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Really interesting post.
Posted by: Fun60 | July 23, 2012 at 01:37 PM
What great shots, this is high on my list of places to visit while I live in Colorado.
Posted by: Al | July 23, 2012 at 01:02 PM
Another great post Sallie!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | July 23, 2012 at 12:39 PM
What a fascinating post. I enjoyed the history and photography.
Posted by: Carver | July 23, 2012 at 12:24 PM