We Just Got Back (again) ...

... this time from a 10-night camping trip in the big square state of Colorado with just the littles (and Molly, too it seems!). First, we drove to Mesa Verde and spent 4 nights, 5 days. We climbeD ladders, hiked cliffs and generally scared the bewees out of me as we went back 700 years to explore the lives of the Ancient Peubloans (also known as the Anazasi). We camped out in the Mesa Verde park -- at Morehouse Campground -- and had a blast; definitely something for the kids to remember (and dh and me too!).

We visited Spruce Tree House; this is a self-guided (that is, free) tour of a cliff dwelling.

We then did the Petroglyph hike -- which is only 2.8 miles but is LOTS of ups and downs and in the sun and seems MUCH LONGER! We were able to get views of other cliff dwellings: The next day, we went to Cliff Palace, the largest of all the dwellings so far. This was an amazing hike down and then a fairly scary scaling of ladders back up. The picture of the ladder wedged between rocks is the LAST ladder back up .... for someone not keen on heights (that's ME!), this was pretty intense but still do-able!

What a TRIP! We went to Long House (the second largest dwelling in the park) but I forgot the camera. This too was exceptional -- including the 3-15ft ladders involved in the overall trek.

What a historic gem! We got lots of details and will add this to our ancient cultures history unit this next Fall ... definitely a bonus for us homeschoolers....

After Mesa Verde, we drove north to the YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain -- Winter Park. Now this is FAMILY-ORIENTED. We spent 4 nights (5 days) here doing archery, crafts, rollerskating, putt-putt golf and just generally having a blast as a family. Tons of great family fun and nice cool (if rainy) nights that cooled the 80+ days down to the 30s -- what a country!

If you've ever been to Mesa Verde or to the Y-camp, please let me know your experiences ...

Blessings and prayers,