8:00 AM MT—We are off to the Mesa Verde National Park, about an hour away. When we get there, we pick up our official tour guide, Marty. He really knows his stuff. We see some sights and then the group splits up. Six of us (it was seven, keep reading) went down to the Cliff House, an ancient rock dwelling of the Ute Indians. (21 of today’s Southwestern Native American tribes can trace their lineage back directly to this group). Another guide also goes. However, before making the trek, Marty explains what needs to happen to get in and out of there.
Going in, there is a mix of trail and uneven steps. Ok. No problem. I can handle a 150 foot drop like that. But then, there’s the rub—you have to climb 150 feet back out. Obviously, but how do you do that? A series of three ladders. Not stairs, or a trail. Good, old fashioned, straight up ladders. Now you lost me. “Come on Bill, be adventurous.” Lize from New Jersey said.
“Sorry, I don’t like ladders, can’t do it.”
Upon regrouping an hour and a half later, Lize and her husband Donald said it wasn’t that bad and we were oversold what would happen. There was even someone with a cane in their group. Everybody handled it well. Oh well. All I know is what we were told. And what we were told scared me off.
There was another option, though. While they were off to Cliff House, the rest of us had a nice time getting something to eat, visiting the museum and exploring the rest of the grounds.
2:45 PM MT—Back in Durango. Have a couple of hours until the tour of the hotel, then off to the James Ranch for dinner. I walk around town, swing by the train museum and gift shop, and find a used book store on the second floor of a building a couple of blocks away. After looking around, I purchase a copy of The Federalist Papers for real cheap money.
5:30 PM MT—Off to James Ranch. Started in 1961 by a then-21 and 22 year old couple who went on to have 5 kids, the enterprise is still a family owned business that now encompasses beef, pork, diary, crops, chickens, and eggs—all natural. There’s also now a restaurant using the ranch’s products. The beef is grass-fed, and the cheese is made from raw milk.
Dinner was really good. I bought a small bit of cheese, which is being kept on the bus until we get to the hotel tomorrow. It’ll be cold tonight so it will be ok.
Tomorrow we leave here and head off to Colorado Springs, the last stop on the tour.
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