Mesa Verde

Tuesday April 16 2013 PART 1

Ancestral Puebloans built and settled into cliff dwellings at around the year 1200, and departed in about 1300. In the 1880s two cowboys came across the remains of some of these dwellings and archeologists have been studying and restoring some of them in nearest to original condition as possible.

The Puebloans would hunt and and gather, returning with their goods by climbing in footholds they had carved in sheer cliffs.

At first Archeologists referred to the people as Anansasi, but title implies a negative description meaning something like strange foreigner. Ancestral Puebloeans is the accepted name.

The Cliff Palace is the largest of the dwellings at Mesa Verde.

Cliff Palace

We stood at a viewing landing before climbing down and then up the first of four ladders.

Climbing our ladder

David was an excellent

Ranger David was an excellent guide who not only gave us much information but holds true respect and appreciation for the nature, work and craftsmanship of those who developed and lived here 700 years ago.

Kiva

Kivas were big "holes in the ground" that apparently served as ceremonial places, places to pray for rain, luck in hunting, or a good crop. They were gathering places comparable to later churches.

Inside this room, high up the wall, there are two ancient paintings.

 

Had to lean way in backwards for a shot of both paintings

The hike up from the dwellings involved more ladders, and some nicely stone steps.

 

 

From here Lynne and I drove to our next stop -- to be continued in Part 2 of this day.

 

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Durango, Colorado - April 13-18 2013

Monday April 13

My friend and travel buddy Lynne is the very best at researching trips and has done such a fantastic job for us on this one. Fortunately for me, she likes doing this research and sharing the results! So here we are in Durango, Colorado for four days. If we have a "main" attraction for this trip it is Mesa Verde National Park -- but more on that later.

Susan was sweet enough to drive us to the airport, leaving home at 3:35 a.m.!! Lynne and I "knew" we would get there a bit early for our 6:10 flight but that was fine as it would allow Susan to miss the commuter traffic on her drive to school/work. I ended up in the slowest of all lines to get through security check and upon exiting on the other end, the announcement said ten minutes to boarding for our flight. What? What happened to being very early??

Oh well, we were at least there on time. Once landed in Denver, we had a mere 30 minutes (which turned out to be 22 minutes) to get to our connector flight to Durango. We boarded that plane and all was well. We rented our car at the (quite small) airport in Durango and drove the 15 miles to our (fantastic) hotel.

Lynne's research uncovered the Historic Victorian Strater Hotel.

Check in here

The entry lobby of Hotel Strater

Sitting room with fireplace

The hotel opened in 1888 and thrived during the railroad and mining years. The most famous person that I know who stayed here was Louis L'amour of Western novel fame.

After checking in to our room, we went to the Diamond Belle Saloon, part of the hotel, to have a late lunch.

We didn't arrive by horse but had fun none the less

Current waitresses wear these costumes

In the bar

We were directed to Pedal the Peaks bike shop, got a good deal from Cliff and Jason on rentals, and took off for some exploring. Found our way to the Animas River Trail and got information and a map from Cynthia at the information center located along the trail.

The Animas River

Handpainted characters in the bike tunnel depict the many activities in Durango

This is quite the fly fishing river so I had to have a photo for Susan...

Lynne and I did not do any mountain bike riding but I had to take these next three shots for Jaydon. I think he is an upcoming mountain biker.

Mountain biking hills built alongside the paved River Trail

Getting ready to rrrrrrummmmble...

The kids are having great fun.

This long and active day was a good recipe for a soak at Trimble Spa and Mineral Hot Springs. Ahhhhh -- so nice on our tired muscles. An end to a wonderful and full day.

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Train Insides

Monday 3/11/13

I am on the last leg and will arrive in Seattle this evening. Lynne was interested in seeing more of the inside of the train, so I thought others might be as well. These are small areas and difficult to get good photos, but I thought I would try.

As soon as you board you can put your (unchecked) luggage in on these shelves (or take it to your room if you prefer). Each car has its luggage rack.

 

Luggage rack

Immediately behind me from the luggage rack are the stairs to take me to my cabin.

Stairway to roomettes

The long narrow walkway at the top of the stairs holds the rooms and bathroom -- and perpetual coffee (no tea water!), juices, ice water and fruit basket.

 

Hallway of rooms

Think airplane when you visualize the bathrooms.

Reflection of my arm in the mirror of small bathroom

Back down the stairs is the shower (and more bathrooms).

I am standing in the hallway to get a shot of the shower

Inside the shower itself

Across from the shower door is the mirror area

I have included photos of the dining car and Parlour Car in past posts, so will not repeat them here.

Our stop in San Luis Obispo allowed for a walk (the only one on this trip so far) so I took a photo of the sculpture of the Chinese men "workin' on the railroad".

 

This will about end my blogging for this trip. I am posting one last look at the ocean.

Last view of the California Coast

For those of you who have been keeping up with me -- thanks for joining me on my adventure.

 

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Nature Preserve

Friday & Saturday 3/8 & 3/9/13

Alexis generously loaned me her car for the morning until she had to use it for work in the early afternoon. I drove toward the valley (or a valley as there seem to be many around) and came upon the Mission Trails Regional Park and Nature Preserve. I spent some time inside and out exploring the exhibits. There are lots of hiking trails but I when I saw the sign recruiting our help in using cell phones to report anything suspicious, I thought better of hiking alone. I enjoyed staying close and ogling the nearby stuff.

A view of the (I think) Kumeyaay Indian Tribe sculptures form sitting in an alcove carved into one of them

The Research Library

A view from the second floor

Picturing the many activities available here

Kumeyaa House

Mountain Lions and

 

Coyotes and...

Butterflies, oh my.

Shortly after I returned home and Alexis left for work, Sheri arrived home early from her work. We had some nice time together as she relaxed from a very busy week at work (the reason she could leave a bit earlier today).

Finally Sheri had a day off on Saturday -- and there was family "do" they had to go to. A baby shower for Alexis's nephew that they spared me from attending! Once home, Sheri and I took a nice drive to Shelter Island where Susan and I had stayed when we were down here two years ago. We had a delightful lunch overlooking the bay and boats before strolling along the promenade by water side. We waved at the SEAL as it passed by on its tour of the Bay, recalling the fun day we had aboard last week.

My final day here.

My train leaves very early Sunday morning ...

Sheri dropped me off at 5:30 a.m. for the three hour train ride to L.A. where I switch to the train to Seattle

...and I get home Monday evening. It is always hard to say goodbye, but going home has a nice ring to it! I miss home and all my family and friends so it will be great to get back to them.

 

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On my own

Wednesday & Thursday 3/6 & 3/7

Wednesday was a true relaxing day! I lazed around the house a lot, walked the dogs a bit, and started to feel lazy. I put on my swim suit and walked up to the community pool for a hot tub soak and a little swim,

Hot tubbing in the sun -- how delightful

Nicely kept grounds at poolside -- and this afternoon I was the only one there

Other than dog walking, this was my only active part of the day. It felt quite good to relax and not worry about what I should be doing, or the list of chores and errands at home!

On Thursday I walked a LOT! I walked down to the bus stop for an early morning bus to the trolley station into downtown. I had thoughts of renting that bike, so was dressed in my cycling gear (shorts under long pants), picked up a Subway sandwich and proceeded to the bike shop.

The contrast (for Lynne) of the newer buildings with an older building in Gaslamp Quarter

Once in the bike shop -- I lost all interest in biking! So I left and walked down to Seaport Village for some tourist gawking. It was fairly quiet and few people out today. Basically the Village is a collection of shops and restaurants.

The walkway at Seaport Village

 

This is what the Village is all about

I did a bit of window shopping and worked my way to Embarcadero Park where I found a nice picnic table overlooking the Bay for my lunch stop.

Interesting trees (and tree roots) in Embarcadero Park

 

A closer look at the roots.

After my lunch I continued down to the main waterfront -- where I have toured around a lot in past trips so did not take repetitive photos -- and then caught an afternoon trolley home. The trolley system sure does make it easy to get to and from downtown San Diego from many outlying communities.

So far the weather forecasters here have been no better at forecasting than those in Seattle. They have called for rain the past two days but no rain so far. It was sunny on Wednesday and cloudy on Thursday, but warm at about 60 degrees.

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