The Cliff Dwellers

Mesa Verde National Park receives over a half a million visitors every summer. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to head over there early and avoid the summer crowds. So we made it a day trip on Friday and visited the popular Cliff Palace and Balcony House dwellings.

They were old ... and they were fascinating! Even Tyson sat there and listened to the park ranger talk about the ancient puebloan people that inhabited these sites back in 1200 AD. But perhaps the most exciting part was climbing up the ladders and stairs that led in and out of the ruins. This was not a park visit for the faint of heart ... ladders ascending 32 feet up a wall for starters ... and then a chain to hang on to while you precariously place your feet into chiseled holes in the rock. Eek! 

Topped off by a nice picnic in the park, we had a great time. It's great to live just a few miles from the park too so we can go back again and again and learn more about the fascinating culture of those that used to dwell in the cliffs of Mesa Verde.

Climbing the ladder leading into The Balcony House.

... and another ladder leading up and out of The Balcony House.

It's not all ladders! We had to crawl through tight spaces too!

Ranger Rick describing life in The Balcony House.

Ticket required! 

Escaping the ruins of The Cliff Palace.

She makes climbing ladders look so easy!

The Balcony House.

The Cliff Palace.

For more pictures of Mesa Verde Nat'l Park (taken by Cody), click here.