Mesa Verde cliff dwellings

On By Rick McIn travel, travelogues

I’ve secretly been embarrassed to have visited the ancient Egyptians, Incas and Mayans — but not those first nations closer to home.

FINALLY I made it to Mesa Verde. It is amazing. You can sign on for a Ranger guided tour to explore the dwellings.

mesa-verde.jpg

Mesa Verde – Wikipedia

  • the name Anasazi is being phased out for the more accurate, less euphonic, “Ancestral Puebloans”
  • this is one of the 8 original World Heritage sites
  • moma bear and 3 cubs appeared this Spring
  • I also visited Hovenweep and a couple of other cultural sites. They are scattered throughout the canyon country.

    • My final thought, still, is “why did the peoples of the current USA and Canada not build great cities?”

    I took the Balcony Cliff tour which involves a 32ft (10m) ladder climb and crawling through a stone tunnel. Cool.

    balcony.jpg

    I asked if any tourists had ever fallen. The answer — “So far, only 1 Ranger.”

    balcony2.jpg

    Interesting flickr photos tagged “Mesa Verde, Colorado“.

    Even more great photos like this one.

    kiva.jpg

    0 thoughts on “Mesa Verde cliff dwellings”

    1. Dana's avatar Dana

      Very cool Rick
      I am secretly embarrassed too, to have visited so little in North America. Seems ridiculous when we realize the rich culture and history surrounding us. I have still not been to Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, or Valley of Fire, yet these are major destinations outside my door step…

      Reply

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