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The saga continues. If you are keeping score, this is Day 5.

The morning in Mesa Verde was crystal clear. My windshield, however, had something else going on. The ice on it made it look like a frosted mug. Needless to say, it was cold. We spent the entire morning exploring Mesa Verde. This plateau is home to about 50 Anasazi pueblo ruins. Most of them are cliff dwellings. They are truly remarkable both for their ingenuity in getting the materials up the cliff face but also for their engineering in making sure these buildings stayed in place. Many of them are over 1000 years.

While we were looking at one site a tour bus full of kids and their teachers drove up. Needless to say, they got kazooed, much to the delight of the kids and the consternation of the adults. As we left (quickly) you could hear all the kids humming away. It sounded like a swarm of drunken bees.

We took the guided tour of one of the ruins called Balcony House. Access to it is via a 30 ft wooden ladder. Ranger Robbie (I have shoes older than he is) was pretty good but a little too heavy on the philosophy and not enough on the history. The Anasazi are a fascinating people, very deeply rooted in the earth and family. The buildings are in excellent shape and you can walk around most of the rooms. When you leave it's a series of ladders and foot/toe holds straight up the cliff-face for 60 feet. Not for the faint of heart, I can tell you. The woman in front of me was a German tourist. She was 70 years old and had a bum knee. I should be so lucky to do half as well at her age.

We left Mesa Verde and the high elevation cold behind us and went off in search of four corners. This is the spot where four states, Arizona, Utah,
Colorado and new Mexico meet. Should you wish you can stand in all four states at the same time. There are some food stalls selling Navajo meals, so we had lunch. I had my first Navajo taco. The tortilla is a thick crusty fried bread. It was good but I could hear several arteries closing up as I ate.

The rest of the day was spent riding through the high desert. It was considerably warmer and the roads less twisty, so it was a more relaxed ride. We went past Mexican Hat rock without stopping. You can see it fine from the road. It really does look like a sombrero.

Then we entered Monument Valley. The older folks will remember this place from the old Marlboro print ads. I've been here a number of times and the place holds special meaning for me. It was very good to be back.

We stopped in Kayenta for the night at a place on the Navajo Reservation. It's a bit spartan but not unpleasant. And the food in the café was good.

So, there you have it. Day five. Tomorrow will be my last full day on the ride. We're heading for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Should be fun.

Take care
Bill

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