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Published: September 14th 2009
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Cliff Palace
Overall view from above Mesa Verde National Park
This was one of our favorite areas. It depicts the resiliency of those native to this land. They came to find living in the cliffs probably safer and providing a more comfortable living environment than on the “surface”. However the cliffs were abandoned after several hundred years and the inhabitants spread out through the southwest. This area is an archeologist delight as new dig sites have been found regularly and exploration continues.
Let me tell you about our almost first visit to Mesa Verde. In was early December and we were on our way to Boulder (a trip Betty did not want to take). We stopped at a campground across from the entrance to Mesa Verde with plans to visit there the next morning. This did not happen as during the night 8 inches of snow fell. Betty wanted me to start the car and turn on the heater, but as most of you know, a VW must be driven so the engine will get hot and the heater will heat. I was like a kid with the new snow, but Betty was in “if I don't kill you today, a miracle will have occurred”
Main Living Area
Amazing that these buildings are still a viable living area mood. We survived, did not visit Mesa Verde, and I was not allowed to make decisions for several months.
The park provides Ranger led tours of the largest and best restored locations. The most famous is the Cliff Palace. It was here that we expanded our understanding, appreciation, and yes love for the Native inhabitants of this country. Whenever we visited either a Native American location or ventured into their home, or talked with them, we were overwhelmed by the spiritual connection with them and their land. I will talk about other incidents on both this trip and the one scheduled for the spring of next year, but the reverence we experienced has a deep connection with them and their ancestors. Carl Jung talked of this as the collective unconscious.
There is also something foreboding about stepping where a small fairly young Anasazi once walked, lived and died hundreds of years ago. However, we were overwhelmed by their ability to build a small city to address their physical and spiritual needs. Betty and I reveled and immersed ourselves in whole of the Mesa Verde experience.
Our first time to Cliff Place was on a hot dry day
View from Dedication
Looking at Cliff Palace from across the cayon in August. We took the tour without water or nourishment at 6K+ elevation. Betty had difficulty making the final climb out of the palace. After we rested, drank, and trail mixed ourselves, we were abuzz with the experience and could not contain our excitement. This was our first Mesa Verde experience and any time afterwards when we were close regardless of what we were driving it automatically drove us to Mesa Verde.
In the early morning, I again descended to the Palace in a bit of pain (knees are doing better, but the climb in and out is humbling), but with the perseverance of motive and love, I again walked in the footfalls of the Anasazi.
For this dedication I pick a spot across the canyon on a sunny cliff under a pinyon with a panoramic view of Cliff Palace and said:
Betty. We have been here many times and always discovered something new and exciting. I will never forget the first tour through Cliff Palace and to be walking among those Native inhabitants of a 1000 years ago. Photography took second place to the majesty of their living space. We talked later of how we would love to be visiting when the cliffs were alive with people - farming on the mesas above, hunting in canyons and mesas, cooking and caring for ones family. So today I traced our adventure and now dedicate this place looking across the canyon to Cliff Palace so that maybe you will be able to see the ghosts of yesterday living the simple life.
One final note KC had a good day after the initial drive and 1.5 hrs in the car while I took the tour. We found a camping spot tailor-made for him and he was off leash most of day. However, I discovered he is not a tent dog with wind causing the flapping and shaking. It was to much for him and we abandon the tent for the car and to motel living.
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