Mesa Verde, Colorado

I really laid off of my obsessive planning habits for my trip to Colorado. I was ready to just go with the flow, except for one thing. I pretty much insisted we make the two hour trip out to Mesa Verde.

We didn't know if we should drive ourselves or take a tour, but it ended up that taking a tour was going to be  much easier for us. The prices were reasonable for an all day trip, especially since it was a two hour drive. We were recommended Wilderness Journeys from a friend, and they were fabulous!

The tour left early in the morning with one pit stop on the way to Mesa Verde. Our park fee ($10-$15 depending on the time of year) was covered, but the tour guide, John, stopped to get tickets and picked us up brochures. We had a fairly long drive to the top (20 winding miles), but it was beautiful and John stopped often to allow us to take photos. We could see all the way to Utah  as clear as the day was...or maybe Utah just isn't that far.

Spruce Tree House

Because it was winter, the only cliff dwelling we could visit was Spruce Tree House. This dwelling is located next to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Most of the year this would be a self-guided tour, but we met up with a Park Ranger to take the tour. They offer tours three times daily in the winter and I would recommend it. You'll learn far more. Several of the other cliff dwellings require a tour guide so be sure to check on times. Hours and tour times are listed for each dwelling here.

After the tour we had lunch in the cafeteria and visited the museum. Lots of interesting artifacts in the museum and a short, but good, informational video. And of course a gift shop!

Down in a Kiva - an underground room used for religious purposes

On the way down John took the Mesa Top Loop Road which gave us views of more dwellings - Square Tower House, Cliff Palace (the largest dwelling), and several surface dwellings. Not to mention some of the views we had of the surrounding mountains and valleys, which were amazing. John was able to teach us quite a bit as well.

A dwelling across the box canyon

Although I don't seem to have written much, this was a full, long, wonderful day. I slept all the way home (the biggest bonus of a tour!).

If you're planning a visit most importantly you need to check the online schedules to see what is open and when tours from Park Rangers are offered. Also see which tours are self-guided, and which require a Park Ranger. Getting to the dwellings can be difficult. Trails are steep so make sure you are of able body. John assured us that the park is crawling with people in the summer and much more enjoyable in the winter months. Even though we could only visit one dwelling, the views of the others made me agree that winter would be best. There are a ton more things to do that I'm not even getting into, so spend some time perusing their website http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm to learn more!