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.

Arches National Park

I remember when I thought my parents were nuts for wanting to go to the national parks.  I also thought that perhaps it was something that old people did.  Well, it is pretty official -- I am old.  I love the parks and all of the beauty contained within.  Today, we are starting our path back home and after seeing Grand and Bryce Canyons, I just know that the next couple of days will be eye candy as well.

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, the luggage is gathered up, loaded into the car, and we are on the road again.  I love road trips.  Have I said that before?  Well, it is true.  I do not understand why we don't travel this way more often.  Our destination for today is just outside of Moab, Utah and the route takes us through the Green River area.  I will say this much about Utah -- talk about a variety of terrains.  I don't think most people realize just how varied it is in this regard.  We arrive at Arches National Park before noon and with a map from the visitor center begin to explore the magnificent rock formations this park is so famous for.

We take several walks in order to view some of the formations but the final one requires a bit of  a small hike.  I am so glad that we decide to do this as it is not something we could have seen from the car.  Even with hip issues --- I love each and every moment of it.

Enjoy the pics --- I think that many people find the desert to be ugly -- I hope these show you that it is not.

What an awesome day.  I feel small and certainly am literally in awe of the world around us.  Such beauty.

Our stop for the night is in Cortez, Co and we still have a few hours to get there.  Thanks for sharing our day with us.

Last Day of Reunion - Salt Lake/Park City Visit

It is the last day of the reunion and I am already sad to go.  It has been great to be together again.  I do miss my family since I live down here in the south now.  I just need to remember to keep options open and jump on any and all chances to spend time together.

We spend the morning cleaning the cabin and saying good-bye to everyone as they leave.  Finally, Cass, Scott, Mister, and I are the only ones remaining and we take a few moments to look around and enjoy the scenery before heading into Park City and Salt Lake.  Scott is taking us on a local brewery tour.  Sounds fun.

The hills are spotted with sheep as we leave.

We drive into Provo and check into our hotel, drop our car, and climb in with Scott and Cass for our tour.  The first two breweries are in Park City:  Wasatch (gotta have a Polygamy Porter ya know) and Squatter's.  The first location provides a table outside on the patio to visit while trying a few of the beers.  One of the rules in Utah is that you have to eat something in order to purchase alcohol -- so a snack it is.  Our second stop puts us in a pub in which we are the only customers.  Again, a small appetizer is ordered and a sampler.  We are not real impressed with either the beer or the service here.

From here, we head into Salt Lake City for a stop at Uinta Brewing where we have a great time, taste some good beer, and are educated about beer laws in Utah.  It is time for dinner and Scott and Cass want to show us a place that they love.  The Bohemian Brewery and Grill is their choice and it is wonderful.  Our food is so very good and the beer is decent as well.  We have a nice time together before saying our good-byes and being dropped off at our hotel back in Provo.  What a great day and perfect end to the reunion.  Time for sleep and then to continue our vacation.  Onto Arches National Park tomorrow. Provo.

Reunion Day 2 - Provo, UT

It is Day 2 and absolutely beautiful outside.  What an idyllic location.  I am truly thankful to Scott and Cass for being able to obtain this place.  I am cooking french toast like a mad woman trying to feed this group.  It is absolutely incredible how our numbers have grown and my heart appears to have grown at the same pace.  I am content with all my family around.  Love it.

One of the activities for the day is target shooting and the back porch looks like we are going to war.  It is so funny to see, but when each person brings along a rifle, shotgun, or BB gun it doesn't take long for the table to fill.  The kids are going to have such a great time learning gun safety and seeing if they can hit some targets.



With Uncle Matt and John as teachers, things get fun after the classroom part is over.  Seriously, isn't it the same for any activity?

Everyone wants to get out and give it a try and most are very successful.  There are orange pieces of clay pigeons everywhere on the hillside and the paper targets are full of holes.

Amanda, Jen, and I keep the really small ones contained in the front yard so as not to scare anyone with an unintended run through the shooting range and the whole activity goes is a hit.  Matt showed such patience throughout the morning and I am duly impressed.  The kids have truly loved this event.  That includes the big kids of course.

Even Mister takes a few shots and hits the target.  I am impressed.

With the morning's activity behind us and lunch in our bellies, it is time to prepare for the big water fight this afternoon.  The siblings settle in with hoses and water balloons for a couple of hours filling tubs that are then strategically placed around the yard as refill stations.  Oh my, this is serious business.

For those not in on the balloon filling, relaxation, exploration, and perhaps exasperation are on the plate.

Sometimes, little ones are just tough to make happy and Miss Elena was out of her element a bit today.  Naps seem to be hard to come by here at the house what with it being a strange bed and people always coming and going.  Poor thing.

The local inhabitants are a huge hit with the boys and seldom are they found without a critter or two being held.  (Witness Jon's pants above, left, and below.)

Ryan looks ready and so I guess it is time for the battle to begin.  We start out by taking a "before" picture of the participants.  (Not everyone is participating -- I am watching Elena, Hyrum, Josh, and Zyra,  Mister is taking pictures, and Scott is not a huge fan of water fights.)  Here we go.  Just look and enjoy.  I can tell you that I am laughing myself silly as this goes on.  What a great family I have.  I am perched on the porch which is "no man's land" along with Mister and little ones.  What a great view.

Yes Becca -- score!

Doubling up works well.

Excellent Rhiana.

He is ready!  I don't think he will much of a threat since he is shooting himself.  Too funny.

And after!  This is a soggy group.  It was fun though and everyone wants to do it again.  Two and a half hours to prepare -- 15 minute fight.  Whew.

Miss Elena stayed dry but in high fashion.  Goodness what a cutie.

It is fun to have a little girl amongst all these boys again.  Bekah has been on her own for 10 years.  With Zyra in the picture as well -- the stats are starting to tip the other way and perhaps we will catch up or overtake the boys.  I can dream can't I?

This has been a great day.  Time to go make dinner and play games for the evening.