Betty and I were awakened by what sounded like a trashcan lid being blown around in the wind. The wind had blown all day and during the night we had wind, rain, thunder and some snow for good measure. Fred and Wilma, next door didn’t hear the noise. This morning we found one of our storage access panels was not locked. Once the panel was locked the “trashcan lid” was not heard from again.
Wilma fixed a great breakfast of biscuits, hash browns and sausage. With breakfast taken care of, we're off to explore the Four Corners Area. We took Rt. 191 south through Blanding then turned on Rt. 262 then took another left toward Hovenweep. This road has a few good spots in it but with the exception of a water filled pothole that covered the windshield with muddy water, we made it in good condition.
“Hovenweep" is Ute/Paiute for “deserted valley”. The VC (visitor’s center) is very nice and the staff is pleasant and accommodating. We got our passports stamped (first things first). Then set out to view the “Little Ruin Canyon”. The formerly occupied portion of the canyon is less than a mile long. The loop trail around the site is about one and one half miles long with a couple of fairly difficult spots. There are numerous ruins scattered along the rim of the canyon with more toward the canyon floor. Fred and Barney walked about halfway to the head of the canyon to a spot called Tower Point. The ruins are estimated to have been built in 1230 to 1275. The people who lived there farmed corn, beans, squash and possibly even cotton.
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| Fred and Barney |
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| Barney, Betty & Wilma |
In looking at the construction of these ruins you can’t help but admire the craftsmanship that the builders displayed using very simple tools. Those parts of the structures that are still standing display tight masonry seams; well mortared, smooth joints; smooth curved surfaces; and indications that some walls were plastered. It is apparent that the builders knew a good deal about construction using only available natural materials. I am really impressed! No trips to Home Depot for blocks and mortar mix.
From there we drove to the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado. After getting our passports stamped we toured the museum and headed for Mesa Verde. According to the tour book the in-park campgrounds were supposed to open on May 7, however they won’t open until May 11 this year. We ate a late lunch inside the park and decided to check into an RV park and return to Mesa Verde tomorrow so we will have more time to enjoy it.
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