Travelodge Farmington

Today, we went to Mesa Verde National Park. There were alot of Pueblo Indian Cliff Dwellings. I got another Junior Ranger Badge. It was my 16th! We took a long hike up and down the mountain to get to go inside some cliff dwellings. We saw a big cloud of smoke from a fire on our way home. We drove to Aztec, New Mexico

Makes me want to be an archaeologist.<br><br>But our trip there included breaking the trailer General Lee style and picking up a stray puppy in the 100' weather. We spent the rest of that afternoon figuring out what to do with the poor thing. We named her ...

... further research and further understanding the real development and builders were unearthed. The Kiva (round room used for religious and ceremonial occasions) has been restored back in 1936. After the presentation, we did the self walk tour, to explore the ruins and absorb the skills and challenge to build this structure back in 1100ad. We took in the 25 minute movie presentation to explain the history and discoverer, coupled with the archaeological dig to bring this to ...

... is a double highway with speed limits of 75mph, (the Castle travels very comfortably at around 60-65mph, with a little to spare if required) We stopped for morning tea at The Flying C Ranch, a rest stop and a souvenir outlet along the highway. This contained many different types of options for the traveller to purchase something unavailable elsewhere, including; a full sized stuffed bison (priced at a bargain basement of $20,000), a ...

... that we could do was to wrap the arms with velcro straps for extra support. The weather was clear and cool, in the 60s, but the winds were really building. By the time we got to the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell and Page, AZ it was really howling. We drove across the dam, then parked and I got out of the RV to take some photos. Even getting the door opened and closed was not easy and I had to try to time it ...

... to the four corners and Utah which is where we actually have some plans. There were pieces of bagel on Evan's pillow when we got into the motel room, accompanied by the some fresh cigarette burns or mouse holes in the sheets; priceless. Im gonna snuggle close to my BBQ shirt from 3 days ago and try to remember the good old days of Southern cuisine......

Day 56 - Aztec National Monument - August 15, 2008 - Friday Drove to Aztec Ruins NM, about 30 minutes away. We drove past it on Wednesday on our way to Durango, but it was too late to stop. It was very interesting. It was mistakenly labeled as Aztec Ruins when it was discovered - and the name has struck. They are ruins of a pueblo people ...

... in Aztec and he said paving is possibly coming in the next few years. Until then Choco Canyon is only available to the intrepid and heavy 4WD. Tomorrow we are heading around an 80 mile loop to Durango, CO where we will take the narrow Gage train to Silverton. On the way to Durango we will stop at Canyon of the Ancients and Mesa Verde. So stay tuned. Shawn, Dirinda, Jan

... I felt a definite sense of relief. It was good to get out of there. The overwhelming hordes of tourists, pushing, crowding, walking over you, their constant inane chatter and bickering, finally builds to the point where you just have to get away. And this was not yet the peak tourist season. I heard dozens, generally women, announce to one and all, "I just can't look; I'm afraid of heights." Why the hell did they ...