Mesa Verde National Park

Today's scenic outing was spent at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.  For many years I've wanted to go see the homes in the rocks built by Pueblos. We talked about doing this trip last year, but didn't make it.  Today we did.  

The cliff dwellings were built and inhabited between 750 - 900 years ago.  Because they were built out of the direct elements, they've survived fairly well.  Timber in some of the structures has been tested and dated to 1274 A.D..

Turns out there are over 600 cliff dwellings through the Park, but not too many are accessible.  We visited two of the dwellings.  Some are self guided tours, others tours require advance ticket purchase for specific times.  You buy the tickets for the tour down at the base information station, than drive 25 +/- miles up and into the park to find your tour.

Our first stop was at Spruce Tree House, which is accessible for all by a paved path down to the structure.  This was a self guided stop with several Park Rangers available to answer individual questions.  While at Spruce Tree we did our 2013 pose - yep, backs to the camera, pointing at some feature.  While the paved path was nice, it had several steep areas and switchbacks.

 We then headed over to Cliff Palace for a Park Ranger guided tour - it was a $3 fee per person for this tour.  We chose it as it was said to be the least strenuous of the guided tours.

While waiting for our tour to start, we got to experience a brief rain shower. Five minutes after it started, it was over.  And it wasn't a downpour so we weren't soaked.  In fact, standing in the noon sun just before the rain, it was very hot. With the quick sprinkle, we felt cool and refreshed to do the tour.

Cliff Palace is accessible by climbing down metal and stone stairs.  The way out is stone and wood ladders. Some sections were no more than shoulder width Whee!

National Day of the Cowboy

While we were visiting Dubois, WY, we were able to watch their town participate in the National Day of the Cowboy. National Day of the Cowboy is currently celebrated on the 4th Saturday in July in seven states.

Chuck and I headed to downtown to watch the parade and take in some of the sites and sounds.  Here are some photos from our outing.  While small in size, it was a lot of fun to see the community show their pride in the heritage of being cowboys.

Horseshoe art

More horseshoe art

Local "Gang"

Cowboy Coffee

Boots and Spur

Westernaires Riding Club

Westernaires Riding Club

You see all types ...

... of campers and such when you travel about.  Here are some of the more interesting or unique units or set-ups we've encountered.   From a houseboat/camper with folding pontoons, to a 30 y/o M.A.N. that has traveled all over the world numerous times, from extremely cute and decorated, to sheep wagons.

A houseboat/camper, complete with pontoons that fold up so the rig is road legal at 8' (www.travelwave360.com). Each pontoons is 30" wide and rests right alongside the unit when unwinched, creating a walkaround deck. This unit is owned by the designer/builder.

The yellow rig is a M.A.N. that is 30 y/o and has been all over the world. This year they sailed from home, ie. Germany, to Nova Scotia, Canada. Their plan is to drive across Canada to Vancouver, then head south along the Pacific Coast of the U.S. and on in to Mexico. Owners needed a 4 stair stepladder to get in and out of their rig.

Here are some cute and little rigs; folding motorcycle trailer, decorated antiques and a sheep wagon.  We were amazed at how big the folding unit became - queen bed AND floor space for folding table and chairs. The other 3 are owned by members of Sisters On The Fly.

Finally, some other set ups that I found different.

 These campers are brave, sleeping on an open trailer with no cover. Temps got in to the 40's the nights they were at the campground.

Look closely behind the 5th wheel and you'll see his trailer and ATV that they double tow.  Something you don't see on the East Coast, but lots of double tows in the Midwest and Western States.

Here's a nice example of a toad / dingy - they have car, bike and rowboat on the trailer.  The owners had painted the words "You Can Take It With You" on their trailer.

We were surprised to see this toad exposed, but I guess if you have a Rolls, you want to show it off.

Swimming Lessons

So we have a 5 year old (nearly 6) Standard Poodle that hasn't been a fan of going in the water.  In many ways, how lucky for us.  I mean, who wants to deal with drying and brushing out a 65lb wet bundle of fur every time it goes in the water.


And try to imagine washing the dog in an RV.  We don't have a bathtub, it's a corner shower with a glass door and 2 inch lip to enter.  So if I try to use the indoor shower, I have to get the dog in the shower enclosure, have plenty of towels on the floor for the water that will come back at me, etc.  Most of the time, when Rugby needs to bath, we use our outdoor shower and let the water go where it wants.  Because of outside distractions this bathing process is a 2 person job - one to wash (and get wet) and the other to hold the dog.


Generally when we've gone for a walk along the lake/ocean/river/pond with Rugby, he's been on leash and has not shown any interest in going in the water.  In fact he much prefers to bark at waves as they reach the shoreline.  We've got lots of videos over the years of Rugby racing back and forth barking at water.

While at the Longhorn RV Resort in Dubois, WY, we've taken numerous daily walks alongside the Wind River.  We watch the water as it flows over shallow rock beds and through deep cuts along the bank.  (Many folks who come to the RV park go fishing and we've seen them catch Brook and Rainbow Trout).  Rugby hasn't given much thought to the water rushing by as we walk alongside it, other than to try to grab an occasional stick that is stuck along the shore.


About 2 weeks ago, while on one of our walks, Chuck took a few steps in to the river to see how Rugby would react.  Sure enough, Rugby started his barking and racing back and forth on the shore wanting his Man to get out.  Chuck and I traded places (me in water and him on shore with Rugby) and I was insulted, Rugby just watched me. No barking, no racing back and forth, just watching.





The other day Chuck had Rugby on leash and they were alongside the river. Chuck stepped in and we were both surprised that Rugby followed right in with him.  They stood on the rock bed with the river flowing rapidly past them for a short bit and then came back on the shore.  The next day, it was Rugby who led Chuck in to the river.



Yesterday was my turn. I opted to have Rugby off leash though as Chuck had nearly lost his balance the day before when Rugby kept circling him as they walked on the slippery rocks.  I wanted my hands free to help in my balance.  Rugby sure seemed to enjoy himself, running and jumping in the water, looking for submerged sticks he could pull up.

Because the river's water is so clean and clear, and because we've been letting Rugby go in the water around noontime and the weather is hot and windy, he's been able to dry off outside.  And there's no wet doggie smell either.    Lucky us!