When Life Has Other Plans (As Usual!)
Picture this: We’re up before dawn at the Great Sand Dunes, caffeinated (well Stacey is) and ready to conquer the beautiful Zapata Falls before making our way east to Mesa Verde National Park. The mountain trail ahead of us was steep and long, but we were dreaming of those cascading waters and the perfect photo ops that awaited us.
Then my phone buzzed.
A text from our neighbor (Maureen) back home: “Saw a suspicious car in your driveway at 3:30AM…”
And just like that, our waterfall dreams came crashing down faster than we were hiking back down that mountain! Nothing like a potential home security scare to turn adventure-seekers into worried homeowners in 0.2 seconds. After several frantic phone calls and rallying our amazing support crew (shoutout to Tina, Mark, and Anne for always having our backs!), we discovered it was a false alarm. But hey, peace of mind is worth more than any waterfall view, right?
Mesa Verde: Where Ancient Meets Adventure
In less than four hours, we’d gone from the Great Sand Dunes to setting up camp at Mesa Verde National Park for our next three-day adventure.
That first evening, we took our bikes for a spin around the campsite to get our bearings, then settled in for something that promised to be truly magical – a “Dark Skies” presentation with four park rangers in the amphitheater. They’d even brought out three massive telescopes to show us the wonders of the night sky.
Mother Nature had other plans though (sensing a theme here?). The clouds rolled in just as we were getting ready for some serious stargazing. But honestly, learning about the incredible effort it takes for an area to become certified as a “dark sky” spot was just as fascinating. Did you know that light pollution has seriously impacted this precious gift? It’s not just about pretty stars – darkness is crucial for animals, birds, and even us humans. Something we should all be thinking more about in our increasingly lit-up world.
Early Birds and Ancient Architects
We became early risers by necessity at Mesa Verde – perched high on the mountains with breathtaking views that came with a side of scorching afternoon heat. But those morning views? Absolutely worth the early alarm!
One morning, we set out to explore some incredible geological features and I had the win for scoring reserved tickets for the “Cliff Palace” tour a month ago. Ranger Colin gave us all the details of this historical dwelling. This isn’t just any old tourist stop – we’re talking about a historic community where the Ancestral Pueblo people lived. Picture this: around 100 people called these cliff dwellings home from approximately 1190 to 1270 AD. The architecture is mind-blowing for the time period – they built these intricate homes within the alcoves of the canyons while still using the mesa tops for farming.
Fair warning: getting there involves traversing multiple steep stairs and layers. It’s super cool but definitely not for everyone. The ingenuity of these ancient people though? Absolutely incredible.
Afternoon Survival Mode
When those afternoon temperatures started climbing, we had our survival strategy down pat: retreat to the air-conditioned comfort of our RV “Reba” or the camp store for games, reading, laundry, and the all-important afternoon nap. Evenings brought cooler temperatures, campfires, and yes – s’mores every single time for Stacey. No regrets!
Pro tip: You absolutely need reservations to visit many of these park campsites and tours. They fill up lightning fast. If you’re planning a trip, start planning yesterday!
Wildlife Encounters (From a Safe Distance)
Our animal watching scorecard included plenty of deer, turkeys, and crows. But the real stars of the show were the ones we were hoping NOT to meet up close – we’d been warned about a mama black bear with three cubs roaming our area.
Aspen and Willow (our four-legged travel companions) made it very clear they were not interested in making friends with any of the local wildlife. Their standard protocol: bark first, retreat to the RV second. For everyone else’s sanity, they sported their trusty bark collars to try to keep the peace around camp.
Did You Know?
Mesa Verde holds a special place in American history – it was the first national park in the United States dedicated to preserving the works of humans, specifically these amazing Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Established in 1906, it became a World Heritage Site in 1978. Pretty impressive credentials for our temporary home!
Colorado: You’ve Been Good to Us
As we pack up and prepare for our next adventure, we can’t help but feel grateful for everything Colorado has shown us. From sand dunes to ancient cliff dwellings, from false alarms to real discoveries, this state has kept us on our toes and filled our hearts.
Next stop: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah – because we can’t get enough of these incredible Western landscapes!
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