Durango, Colorado to Page, Arizona

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Durango, Colorado to Page,  Arizona

We awoke this morning to frost! This cannot continue!

We left late in morning and began our journey to Mesa Verde National Monument, the location of numerous cliff dwellings. We arrived there at 3:17. The road in is long and very scenic. Upon arrival we signed up for an hour ranger-led hike, had lunch, and drove to the tour start location.

The tour was exceptional requiring that we descend to the via a steep trail and exit the canyon using ladders and a steep narrow set of steps cut in the native rock. The images included describe the visit better than I can. It was a fascinating tour!

Our next destination was Page, Arizona where were scheduled to camp on the shores of Lake Powell.

Along the way we drove past the monument marking the “Four Corners” where the borders of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona converge.

Due to our late start, we arrived at the campground in Page, Arizona after dark. Have you ever attempted to find a little patch ground you have reserved to pitch a tent in total  darkness?  It not a process calculated to encourage marital bliss!

We did find the sandy little patch of ground and set up our tent by headlight. Another process not designed to encourage you-know-what!

The facilities were third class but the view, that we saw when dawn broke, was outstanding.  After breakfast at Denny’s (no senior citizen discount for breakfast) we were on the road to Zion National Monument and Bryce Canyon. Our goal for the day was to tour both the above and then drive to Grand Canyon where we had a campsite reserved. A noble goal - but what did we know!!

 Images of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Monument