On Friday we left Moab and headed back into Colorado for Mesa Verde National Park. This is located in the southwestern portion of the state, very near the four corners area.
http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
We were camping again, staying at the Morefield campground within the park. I think this was a good idea. The park is very large, with a lot of ridges, hills and valleys. Mesa Verde means “green table”, or the high, flat portion of the land. Many canyons spider up into the park, making for some long drives getting around to the sites. We set up camp and drove down to the Wetherill mesa to visit the Step House and Long House area. Tour tickets are required for three of the major sites, Long House, Spruce Tree House and Cliff Palace. Again, these are very worthwhile, we went on the Long House Tour this day and Spruce Tree House and Cliff Palace Saturday. I think this park was the favorite on the trip for Doris and the girls. It was very interesting to see all native dwellings and learn about these ancient cultures. The dwellings, both those on the mesa and under the cliffs were used from about 600 to 1200 AD. There is much debate among the rangers, Native American tribes and archeologists about the people who lived here. Why they came, why they build the dwellings under the cliffs and why they eventually left.
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