Day 54: Durango, CO
Loading Map
Durango,
Colorado,
United States
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Day 54 - Leaving Santa Fe, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Bandelier NM, Los Alamos NL, Durango CO - August 13, 2008 - Wednesday
Packed up. Drove to the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Very interesting. We registered at the Visitor Center and were given a map of the pueblo. There were specific places we were allowed, and not allowed, to go. San Ildefonso is famous for their black-on-black pottery. We stopped in one pottery shop within a home. Small pieces of pottery for $80-$100. Wow. Very pretty, though. Walked on to the museum. We learned that a famous potter came from the pueblo - Maria Martinez. We stopped at her great granddaughter's shop on the way out of the pueblo. Her pieces were amazing, and $1000-$2000, and other family members had pieces too for close to $1000. It was very pretty but we hoped to find some more that is in our price range.
After San Ildefonso, we drove to Bandelier NM and hiked the Main Loop Trail. The trail took us along a cliff where the Ancestral Puebloans had built houses and carved caves as back rooms. It was pretty amazing. We went as far Alcove House and had to climb several ladders to reach the cave where people had lived. The ladders were very sturdy, but the climb still made you nervous. On the way back we got caught in the rain and were very wet by the time we made it back to the car. We dried off, changed, and went to the Visitor Center. We would have like to have spent more time, but we knew when we arrived that we were on a tight schedule today.
We next stopped at the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos. The science museum was free and focused on the Manhattan Project, what the Los Alamos National Laboratory used to do, and what it does today. It was all very interesting, and you could spend a few days reading and interacting with the exhibits.
From Los Alamos, we headed to Durango, CO where we are going to spend a few days resting.
Day 55 - Durango KOA Kabin - August 14, 2008 - Thursday
Day of Rest
We did laundry, took naps, wrote postcards, typed the journal and worked on photos. I also painted a few watercolor postcards (first ones).
A good day.
Day 57 - Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Durango, CO Farmers Market and Arts & Crafts Market
Mailed pottery to Florida along with a lot of postcards.
Walked around Durango today - cute historic town. Did not ride the historic train up the mountain, too expensive. Should have ridden the train in Alamosa - much better prices, but we did not find out about it until it was too late.
Went to the Farmers Market and Arts and Crafts Market. I purchased a tye-dye bag. We also got a free sample of Pinon soap. Then we went to Carver Brewing Co. for lunch. While waiting for our table, an older gentleman became faint and fell over. He hit his head on the floor. Everyone jumped up. He fell right in front of us. Whish I had been paying more attention. They thought he needed CPR but he seemed to be breathing fine. A doctor was eating lunch and came forward to help. She stayed with the man until the ambulance arrived. His wife was disappointed to go back to the hospital. She said he just had chemo and she was in the hospital too a few days ago. It shook me up quite a bit, and was a little hard to eat lunch after that. I hope he is okay.
At the brewery we tried a sampler tray of 11 beers. We definitely could have shared that with a few more people. The most interesting beers were the 2 dark beers. One tasted like coffee and the other like chocolate. Amazing. Might have to try more dark beers.
Day 58 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 - Leaving Durango, CO and Arriving at Mesa Verde National Park
Stopped at Wal-mart for groceries, propane, and ice. Then found a Methodist church. We stayed for the 11:00am service.
After church we rode on to Mesa Verde NP. Checked-in and set-up our tent. Then drove to the Visitor Center. Purchased tickets for tours the following days. You have to purchase tickets for the Ranger-guided tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and _____. Next, we drove a little further to the Museum. After checking out the museum, we walked down to Spruce Tree House, a cliff dwelling you can tour on your own. There were Rangers stationed to answer questions and protect the site.
Mesa Verde NP was the first National Park set aside to preserve the work of man. Most other National Parks are set aside to protect natural beauty - God's creation. Mesa Verde NP is also a World Heritage site.
For dinner, we made green chili cheeseburgers. Not as good as Bobcat Bite, but still enjoyable.
