Mesa Verde and Moab

We left yesterday in sunshine and headed northwest to some big puffy clouds. The closer we got to Colorado, the thicker the clouds and the darker they came.  We finally pulled into Durango, and were greeted by snow showers and a dusting on the mountains.

Pushing through, we headed on to Mesa Verde National Park.  We have visited this park before, and having climbed all the ladders, crawled through the tunnels and scaled the heights, we opted for some leisurely strolls around the  Spruce Tree ruins before returning to our campsite.  One thing that we noticed immediately was the impact of the fire that burned  20,000 acres along the mesa tops in 2000.  Where once there was a thick piñon juniper forest lining both sides of the road, now there is a skeleton forest of burned tree trunks.  The undergrowth and grasses are thick, but the trees are all dead.  There are a few places where the fire did not reach and the contrast is striking.

We hunkered down at our campsite, fired up the heater for the anticipated low temperature of 29 degrees, ate supper and spotted this herd outside foraging for their dinner.  Points anyone who can spot all 11 deer.

After dinner, it was early to bed for an early rise and departure in the morning.  Well, that was what we planned for.  Cheryl decided it was a good, cold morning to sleep in, so she did.  We finally hit the road at 10, and drove over to the southern section of Canyonlands National Park.  This area is called The Needles.  It is very isolated, but very beautiful...a photographer's dream.

After our detour into Canyonlands, it was on into Moab for the night.  We will be here for three nights, venturing out to see Arches and the rest of Canyonlands over the next few days.

Hercules update:  He is eating well, but still sleeping 22 out of 24 hours.  It makes traveling with him pretty easy, though.