Mesa Verde/Ska Brewing/Arrive Santa Fe

After a good night's sleep in Cotez, Colorado, we rise full of anticipation for our day at Mesa Verde National Park.  Looking back on these ancient civilizations always fills me with wonder and admiration.  The ingenuity and fortitude that they had is overwhelming, especially after living in an age where everything is so readily available that we take so much for granted each day of our lives.

My first view of Spruce Tree House from our hiking path is incredible and I cannot wait to hike down there.

"Spruce Tree House is the third largest and the most visited site at Mesa Verde National Park.  It is located below Chapin Mesa within a sandstone alcove on the eastern side of Spruce Tree Canyon.  A nearby spring provided a source of water to the ancient inhabitants.  Spruce Tree House is considered Mesa Verde's best preserved cliff dwelling with a length of 216 ft. and width of 89 ft. at its widest section.  The cliff dwelling contains 114 rooms and eight kivas.  some of the rooms served as habitations and some as storage, but all were typically constructed of sandstone with adobe mud mortar.

Kiva is a Hopi word for ceremonial room, and at Mesa Verde they tend to be round in plan and underground.  Here they are located in the front zone of the cliff dwelling.  A Transversal 'street' running east-west divides the complex into a north and a south compound.  At the rear are two large dark recesses that served for refuse and burial.  It is estimated that Spruce Tree House was home to about 80 inhabitants."

It is incredible and we are able to actually climb down into one of the kivas which still has it's covering intact.  Most, however, have suffered a loss of those.  Also, I find it amusing that everything is my size, indicating that the people here were of a shorter stature.

From the dwelling, we can look across the canyon and see other settlements as well.  They are numerous throughout the park although many are inaccessible.

Once we climb back out, we discover an overlook and stop for a quick last look.  Wow.  This was definitely worth the time and effort to see.  We also stop at Balcony House and take the tour.  It is equally as impressive, although a bit harder to get to.

We have managed to work up an appetite and are thirsty, therefore it is time to drive into Durango and Ska Brewing.  Yay -- we order a double sample in order to taste all of their offerings and I zip outside to grab some food at Zia Taqueria, a food truck outside.  I am starving.

It is a great brewery and the people are laid back, yet willing to tell their story and visit with us at the bar.  Definitely a winner on our brewery list.

Drat it is time to get driving again as we have quite a distance to go before our stop tonight in Santa Fe.

We arrive at dusk, check into the hotel, and start walking to check out the Town Square before dark.

I am instantly in love with the feel of the this community.  I adore all the adobe buildings and the spirit that emanates from the park is palpable.  I hope we have time tomorrow to check out the area a little better.  If not, it is on a list of "must return to" places.



We come across the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi as the lights are coming on and it is beautiful.  It is closed, but we are able to get a few exterior shots.  Gorgeous.  It is time for dinner and we just happen to be near The Shed which is rated well.  Time to go in and relax for a bit before calling it a day.