CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Today we drove north on Highway 491 and found the Lowry Ruins that are located on publicly owned land designated as Canyons of the Ancients National Monuement. We ended up on a gravel trail that led us to the Lowry Ruins. It is a very interesting pueblo ruin you can actually walk inside. Placques located around the ruin exlained that it probably began as a few small rooms for one family and then gradually "additions" were added until the pueblo became a community. The next two blogs show pictures inside the pueblo ruin and also the Great Kiva that was located nearby. There are very clean restrooms and picnic areas located at the ruin site, but you need to bring your own water, food, etc. We had water and snacks with us. There was no charge to visit this ruin. We are enjoying this area and have decided to stay here until after the Labor Day holiday is over. We will also avoid the holiday rush traffic by waiting until next Tuesday to move on with our travels. We still haven't decided where we are going next. It's really nice to have no time table for this portion of our trip.

INSIDE THE LOWRY PUEBLO RUINS

It was really exciting to be able to walk inside this ruin and see the different levels, rooms, and walkways. The ruin is covered with a roof and stabalized with steel beams to make it safe to actually see the inside portion of the ruin. We didn't know we would be able to walk inside until we arrived and walked around the ruin.

The Great Kiva at Lowry pueblo ruins

These pictures show the Great Kiva located at the Lowry ruins. They are part of 164,000 acres of public land designated as Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in June 2000. The first picture is a plaque that explains how the Kiva was probably used. The second picture shows the ladder used to enter the Kiva. The 3rd and 4th pictures were taken to get a closer view of the stones in the center of the Kiva. The last picture capures the exterior wall of the Kiva. This ruin is about 30 minutes north west of Cortez, CO.

MESA VERDE

Today, 9/3/10, we drove to Mesa Verde, purchased a Senior National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for $10.00 and drove into the mountains. The senior pass is a lifetime pass that will allow us free entry to most national parks. I hope we get to use it often. The scenery is beautiful here, my photos do not do it justice. It was an interesting drive winding around the mountains, even through a tunnel. We stopped at the Far View Visitor Center and decided to visit Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling. The path is only 1/2 mile, but fairly step, so I just took pictures from an overlook, I did not walk all the way down since Ted didn't want to make the trip. We had lunch at Far View Terrace before our trip to the Spruce Tree House and Museum. We also went back to the Ute Mountain Casino where we had fun at the slots and tried their burritos at Kuchu's Restaurant. A very good burrito, that was so large we brought left-overs home for tomorrow's lunch. Not quite a big as Ted's famous wet burrito's but better than any others we have tried on our trip.

FOUR CORNERS

The first picture was taken Wednesday as we crossed the New Mexico, Colorado borders. Today 9/2/10, we drove to Four Corners. The second picture taken is of the Ute mountains on the way to Four Corners. The drive took about 45 minutes from our RV site in Cortez CO. We each stood in the center of the monument. It is a very interesting monument showing the dates each state entered the US as a state. Also flags are flown from each state. Of course there were lots of native crafts to buy. I'm not sure how I resisted any purchase at all. But I keep telling myself there is only so much room in the RV, and I just auctioned off lots of stuff, so there isn't any need to start collecting again. I'll be upset tomorrow when I think of all those really neat pieces of native jewelry at such great prices. On the way back to Cortez, we stopped at the Ute Nation Casino and Hotel. They have pretty nice RV park behind the casino. Actual RV park, not just spaces in the parking lot. We will think about staying a night there if we come back this way again. We are staying in this area for a few more days.

STAGECOACH STOP RV PARK

The first picture is at the entrance of the Stagecoach Stop RV Park in Rio Rancho NM. It is a really nice Good Sam park, and we will definitely stay here again when we come through the Albuquerque area. The next two pictures show the Jeep and RV at our site, and the Sandia peak that can be seen from the windows of the RV. The old bridge is a historic bridge that is being left by the expressway. It is part of the original "Route 66." The pictures showing mountain views were taken on the way to Colorado from the Albuquerque area. Oops, last picture is a duplicate, and hopefully I can delete it later.

RODE THE SANDIA PEAK TRAMWAY

On Saturday 8/28/10 we had lunch at the Sandia Casino, then drove to the Sandia Peak Tramway. This tram is the world's longest aerial tramway. Elevation at the peak is over 10,000 feet. Trams hold up to 50 people. There are 2 towers holding up the trams, and you feel a slight swaying when traveling over the towers. I rode the tram while Ted waited at the base. It wasn't scary at all, and I am really afraid of heights. I took a few pictures on the way up and down the tram ride. Also walked around at the peak to see the ski lifts that go up and down the opposite side of the peak. In the summer people ride up the ski lifts and ride bikes down the ski hill. Not for me. One of the pictures (#6) shows two trams passing on the way up and down. The fourth picture looks like there is a face in the side of the mountain. I found a nice couple who took pictures of me at the peak to show I was there. They were from Lubbock, TX, and he had worked at Chucky Cheese in Saginaw, MI while it was under construction. Small world. The last picture is the tram I actually rode down. The picture was taken as it was arriving at the peak.