Mesa Verde:
We left the hotel around 7 on Easter Sunday headed to Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is famous for its Puebloan Indian cliff dwellings. These dwellings are around 1,000 years old. I am not the best historian so I will not even attempt to get into detail here; suffice it to say the views are amazing, and the cliff dwellings are mind-blowing! If you really want to know all about it, follow the link above. Take a minute, follow the link, I’ll still be here when you get back! 
A little bit of advice for those wanting to visit the cliff dwellings: I highly recommend 7 A.M. on Easter morning! We only saw a few other people. In fact, for the drive up to the dwelling and much of our visit there we were the only visitors. If you are like me and find crowds a little… um…. trying. It was perfect! It was a little chilly, but worth braving the cool air to visit the park in peace. It really made me feel so connected to the universe.
This is the view upon entering the park. Isn’t it amazing! We drove all the way up that mountain. Can you imagine how isolated the Pueblo Indians were up there? 
Looking back from the previous picture. 
The view from the first look out spot: Mancos Valley.
I don’t know if pictures could ever do it justice. We were there in the first morning light, all alone with the world seemingly stretche out before us. The only sounds we heard were the birds and our footsteps. The way the light was hitting the valley was simply stunning. I was so taken aback by the beauty of it all I actually tired up a little… okay, a lot. Honestly, it was so beautiful and perfect; the marvel of it all really touched me.
On our way up the mountain, we were privileged to see a herd of dear (is it a herd?) grazing along the side of the road. Initially it was just us and then another car approached, but the dear hardly noticed our intrusion. We watched silently and took picture for at least 10 minutes. I never saw a buck, but I did see many does and their fawn. There were at least 12 of them, grazing and playing.
Spruce Tree House
This was the only house open this time of year. Initially I was a little bummed that this was the only dwelling we could visit, but I quickly got over that! As it turns out, the Spruce house is the only self-guided tour. How nice is that? You get your little trail/house guide and set off at your own pace: perfect! We were able to go into a Kiva and step a little into the dwelling itself. There was a ranger there that we could ask questions off, but mostly we just nosed around in wonder of the construction.
Main Room and Kiva
Speaking of the park ranger… he was the most interesting person I have met in a long time! He was a cross between an old hippie and an old Indian. I asked him a question (I don’t even remember what I asked) and he went off for about 10 minutes on the circle of life and the responsibility of females in matriarchal society, how the woman is at the center of the society because she can create life, etc. He was so cool! We started talking about the Kiva and how much warmer it was or could be with a fire and he tells us “sometimes when it’s cold” he and the other rangers will go into the Kiva “before the park opens or after the park closes, and burn some ‘incense’ “. (His quotes, my friends, his quotes!) He then tells us about a ceremony an “Indian friend” of his performed on him to protect him during his journey to work during a blizzard. All of which was fascinating, truly it was. He then told us when he was driving into work he looked over, in a blizzard mind you, and there was a mountain lion running along side his truck! Must have been some good incense! We laughed so hard later thinking about him and his stories. My only regret is we didn’t have more time to talk with him.
Park Ranger Craig and I
On the way down the mountain we stopped at all the look out points. Although, the not open for tours, we were able to see the largest of the dwellings: Cliff Palace.
Even with the park being partially open, we were there for 5 or 6 hours! I highly recommend it if you have never been and like I said: pick an off peak day and go early. You will be glad you did.
After leaving Mesa Verde, we settled in for a nice long drive to Four Corners. I had never been to four corners before, and it’s kind of a must see if you are in the area. If for no other reason then to say you were in four states at once!
In my case I was in 4 states and 2 time zones! (Arizona does not practice daylight savings time)
Here it is folks: the four corners monument
In truth, not at all what I expected. I was a little disappointed; it was very blah. Not to mention, they charge admission now! $3 a person: a little much if you ask me! $1 a person or $3 a car load seems more reasonable. Really, that’s all it is: a raised plaque and some flags in the middle of the freaking dessert! Although, I am glad I was able to see it and I don’t regret $6 to say I was there. After four corners we drove through until Phoenix; we arrived at my brother-on-law’s house at about 7. I didn’t take many scenic pictures because I was napping part of the time and well, it’s the Middle of Nowhere, USA, not very scenic!
Well, that’s it for day 2. A lot of driving, gorgeous views, dears, cliff dwellings, a hippie park ranger and 4 states all in 12 hours!
And, of course, Penis Rock: the sequel.
Oh, I almost forgot: I did manage to do a little knitting on the way to 4 corners. I finished the bottom ribbing on my sweater-finally. Now all I have left is the arms. Unfortunately, the temperature in Phoenix is a little warm for having a wool sweater in your lap!
