DFT18 - Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison

While camping in the Great Sand Dunes we noticed that the family in the tent beside of us had North Carolina tags.  We were going to ask them where they were from but when we returned from the park later in the day, they had already left.  

On Thursday we left Great Sand Dunes to drive to Mesa Verde.  We stopped along the way in Durango, CO.  Durango was a great town.  Daniel really liked the fly fishing shop.  They had a cute kids store called Kids Rock...where we bought EG a stuffed moose, because she needs another stuffed animal.  The quilt shop though....TERRIBLE.  Worst quilt shop I have ever been to. First of all their selection of fabric was very lack luster.  But I tried to look at an accessory in the store and the lady yelled at me.  I get so frustrated when quilt shops don't take young quilters seriously. 

We arrived in Mesa Verde and after setting up camp we went looking for dinner.  As we sat down at our table, the people from the next table recognized us.  Because they were the family from North Carolina that we camped beside in the Great Sand Dunes!

We spent all day Friday in Mesa Verde.  We spent the morning hiking Petroglyph Point, and driving the Mesa Top Loop to see some of the other Cliff Dwellings.  The one thing about Mesa Verde is to see the big stuff you have to get tickets and with specific tour times. 

While we were eating lunch on Friday, Nosey Rosy EG started waving and staring at a guy eating lunch behind us.  When we got to Cliff Palace for our 6pm hike/tour EG's friend from lunch was there.  We ended up talking to him and found out he is a Vice Principal in California, but is originally from South Carolina.  He loves to travel around and visit National Parks.  AND he was leaving Mesa Verde for Black Canyon of the Gunnison on Sunday...just like we were.  

Saturday morning we were suppose to hike to Long House at 9am.  But EG was so tired and wanted to go back to sleep, so we all went back to sleep until 8:30.  

When we finally got up, we drove to the four corners.  It was super cheesy but we had to go because we were so close.  We tried to find the Yucca House National Monument, but we got to a road that said Private Property No Trespassing.  So we turned around...turns out we were suppose to drive down that road any way.  We ended up driving around Cortez.I found quilt shop and it was way better than the one in Durango.  We also found out that Osprey Packs are headquartered in Cortez..we drove over to the factory but they were closed :( 

We went back to the park to hike to Step House and when we were finished we ran into our new friend from the day before.  He was waiting on his 4pm tour to Long House.  The ranger over heard us talking and said since we missed our tour to Long House that we could jump in on the 4pm tour.  So not only did we get to see Long House but we got to spend more time with our new friend.  By the end of the hike Daniel and I both had job offers to teach middle school in California, right outside of San Francisco ;) 

Sunday morning we left Mesa Verde to drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  We were so excited that we would get to drive by Telluride and we wanted to stop and check out the town.  As we drove closer we started seeing signs for festival parking.  As we got closer we realized that is was the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.  Which is only the biggest bluegrass Festival in the country, but people travel from all over to attend.  There were approximately 9 million people in town.  We ate lunch and got out as quick as we could.   But it was a neat town and I would love to go back.  

The first part of Black Canyon that we explored was the East Portal.  It is down in the canyon right on the river.  As we were checking it out we saw a Bear.  It was really cool because it was a Golden Black Bear, meaning the color is light brown. Sunday night in Black Canyon we went to the Ranger Talk on the park after dark.  EG lasted for 30 mins.  I only missed the last 15.  But they were also doing a star viewing that night, since Black Canyon is part of the International Dark Sky Association.  Daniel stayed at the tent with EG and I got to see the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. 

Monday we hiked with our new friend Patrick, that we meet in Mesa Verde.  We hiked Rim Rock Trail to Oak Flat Loop to Uplands Trail for a total of 4 miles.  While EG slept Daniel and I drove the Rim Road to see all the look out points.  My favorite was probably Dragon Point.  We also went to the East Portal section of the park for the second time.  Daniel was able to sit on the side of the river and see Rainbow and Brown Trout. 

After Dinner with Patrick we were hanging out at camp for a while before we went to hike Warner Point. And as I am walking around the campsite...who do I run into camping in the spot right behind us...The Family from North Carolina.  Turns out they are also both teachers, live in Asheville, and want to go up the East Coast to Acadia next year (which is what we have already said we want to do). So we exchanged information and look forward to hanging out with them soon. 

Daniel, EG, and I hiked to Warner Point for the last hike of the day and it was by far the best hike/view in the park.  It was breathtaking to see!

We took a photo as we said Good Bye to our new friend.  He is headed to Utah, as we head up to the Rockies.  We miss you already and look forward to hanging out with you in December!

Hikes in Mesa Verde:

Petroglyph Point - 2.4 miles

Cliff Palace - .5 miles

Step House - 1 mile

Long House - 2.5 Miles

Hikes in Black Canyon:

Rim Rock - 1 mile

Oak Flat Loop - 2 miles

Uplands Trail - 1 mile

Warner Point - 1.5 miles