Mesa Verde and the Water Pocket Fold

There is nothing like a good dose of archaeology to get your thoughts provoked. Our visit to Mesa Verde National Park provided us with a glimpse into what Anasazi life was all about 900 years ago. The Anasazi, or Puebloans, lived on and off in southwestern Colorado for the better part of 800 years. Interestingly, their shift from having Mesa-top based communities to Mesa-cliff dwelling communities only happened in the last 100 years. Reasons why they moved into cliff cavities remains one of the great discussion points in Mesa Verdean archaeology. From southwest Colorado we ventured back into southern Utah and headed west across Capitol Reef National Park. A major geological structure in Capitol Reef is the Water Pocket Fold, which is accessible by gravel road and impressive canyon hikes.

Cliff Palace - Mesa Verde National Park

Sofia enters a Puebloan kiva

village square

Pueblo paradise

Sullivan climbs into a kiva

Desert chef Sullivan

Leyla surveys the Colorado

Hiking towards Surprise Canyon - Water Pocket Fold

Leyla enters Surprise Canyon

Cactus bloom

The right thing to do

River of sky

Sofia's spirit 

Exploring the wash

I love these roads