HOLY SHOOTS & LADDERS!

Hello again! We've travelled far and high since our last update to our blog. We left Santa Fe and headed to Cortez, Colorado where Nancy has been dying to visit Mesa Verde. At the same time I think she was trying to kill me as I was the one dying -climbing ladders at heights that those of you who know me would never attempt! While I could not include all the frighting pictures due to space, believe me...after the park ranger tour guide locked the gate behind us, I could not turn back and back out.

Besides, what would the kids on the tour think? I was stuck and had to do it.

If you;re ever in this part of the country, you just have to visit Mesa Verde. If Nancy is available she will go with you and help you conquor all your fears!
The history here is tremendous! Why the Pueblo people decided to live on the sides of cliffs is beyond me. For sure they would have been safe from people like me...

The drive from the entrance of the park is quite spectacular! Very high but spectacular. I was told to just watch the road so you'll have to ask Nancy about the scenery going up there.

We spent 2 full days inside Mesa Verde hiking around the numerous cliff dwellings with the second day being the challenge in going down to the dwelling "Balcony House" which was supposed to be a prime picture location.

While this may look like a Hollywood picture location it is really the original ruins of the Pueblo people and is an un-touched original. Hard to believe they have remained intact since the 1200's. Click on the pictures to see them full size. Amazing!

While we were in Cortez my friends Jim and Bill came up from Las Vegas for 3 nights, and I did get to do some fly fishing while they were in town. We fished the Delores and San Juan rivers and had a great time. The scenery in the canyons was outstanding and fishing so so. We had a great time and it allowed Nancy to plot our next adventure.

Even though the fish weren't rising, Nancy had me going to new heights. We headed out for a day trip to Telluride and Ouray, Colorado. Both of these towns have their own character. Known for their sking, mining and climbing they are both beautiful locations in southern Colorado. We did not take the "million dollar highway" into Siverton, however, for it has 155 switchbacks, alot of elevation and 2 lanes of breathtaking Fear! Thank you, but I backtracked the way I came and avoided those views! Nancy can only talk me into so much.

Well, we spent 2 full weeks in Cortez and headed out for Moab, Utah and another National Park -"Arches"

We spent 3 nights in Moab and you need at least 12 to see everything in this area. I know I've said this over and over but this too is a must see because it looks like another planet. The only problem here is pictures don't do it justice...You can't capture the majestic beauty of this area with a camera. The hiking to the numerous arches; spectacular! We hiked 11.5 mile in 2 days here and only scratched the surface! There's been more movies made here than I've got time to mention, and you've got time to read. Neadless to say, we loved it!

Heading out tomorrow May 12th for Fort Collins, Colorado and can't wait to see the kids and our 4 Grand Kiddies. Fort Collins is our final destination before heading back to the mitten so this is our final blog update to all family and friends.

We hope you've enjoyed reading about all of our 2011 adventures as much as we've had sharing and writing about them. Check in again in 2012 and see if you can find Where In the World Is Juan?