Home from MESA VERDE!
Sep. 18-22 2013
PART 2
Before we pivot back to roads (to use one of Obama's favorite sayings), here's a cliff dwelling or other structure at Mesa Verde. Mesa tops where locals grew crops were connected to cliff dwellings by very rugged trails.
Fire Temple was apparently for ceremonial gatherings.
More cliff dwellings.
Sun Temple was an ancient structure that was never completed.
This looks like an entire village made up of connected cliff dwellings.
More road scenery at Mesa Verde.
Another view of some cliff dwellings.
As we look towards Shiprock again, the sky is clouding up.
We zoom in on the area beyond Shiprock, which may include the distant Chuska Mountains.
RAIN RUINED THE WHOLE TRIP!!! Here's another view of the clouds that were a sign of the conditions that defined the rest of the day.
A cloud-darkened road.
I don't know what direction this is. It could be looking northeast to US 160, but I'm not sure.
A rainbow was sighted in Cortez, Colo. The mountains are at Mesa Verde. Cortez is along the old US 666 - which the Bush regime renumbered as US 491 in 2003 as one of its "faith-based" initiatives. No, I'm not making that up. It had been US 666 since 1926 and had never generated any complaints before.
We're on our way home now, and this sign in front of a Sinclair gas station on US 160 warns, "MASSIVE PETROLEUM SPILL; TOXIC SITE." It's true, folks. I have to tell it like it is, so tough toilets, Sinclair.
North on US 550 (Main Avenue) in Durango, Colo.
Durango has public transit! This is continuing on US 550.
US 550 north of Durango.
US 550 again.
US 550 goes through a layer of fog up ahead.
More fog on US 550.
FOG RUINED THE WHOLE TRIP!!! Actually it didn't. It only ruined it for the Tea Party, which expects to be pampered at all times.
More fog!
From US 550, this is looking down at the town of Silverton - which was once a silver mining camp. At right is the Animas River.
US 550 in Silverton. Ouray is pronounced "yoor-ay." I don't know why it says Ouray is 24 miles when my road atlas says it's 18 miles.