DAY 77: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - September 14, 2010
Remember back when we were in Moab, Utah and I casually mentioned that our campground neighbor made me cry?? Well, today we met up with "The Man Who Made Liz cry" (Jim) at Mesa Verde National Park. Jim is a super nice guy from Florida who lost his wife to cancer a mere six months ago. While in Moab, he had shared with me that he and his wife used to travel a lot and they especially loved to travel to the National Parks. Since her death, he has been traveling to a lot of the places they had traveled together and it gave him comfort remembering their special times. In case you hadn't figured it out yet, this is when Liz starting crying....no......BAWLING!
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Anyway, back to today. Jim had moved his camper from Moab to Mesa Verde over the weekend and was staying at the National Park campground there. He gave us a call yesterday and we met up with him at this fabulous National Park for a private tour by a guy who knew it all too well.
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We stopped at the usual overlooks and were constantly amazed at how far we could see......stunning views. We finally ended up at the cave dwelling known as Spruce Tree House. We went to this particular cave dwelling due to it being the only cave dwelling that was handicap accessible. We had brought Chuck's portable scooter with us so he could view the dwellings up close......but what we didn't count on was just how STEEEEEEEEEEP the walkway ramp down to the dwellings was.....
After viewing the cave dwelling, the time came that I had been dreading since going down that STEEEEEP walkway ramp .....we now had to go back up. So, as Chuck started back up the STEEEEEEEP ramp, it was crystal clear that his scooter wasn't going to make it up that mountain-of-a-ramp without a push. So Jim and I positioned ourselves behind his scooter and started pushing.....and pushing.....and pushing......stop for out-of-shape Liz to catch her breath.......continue pushing.......stop for out-of-shape Liz to catch her breath again ........continue pushing........stop for out-of-shape Liz to offer her credit card to the Park Ranger to push the scooter the rest of the way........
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We finally made it to the top......I seriously wanted to throw-up. I'd like to think it wasn't "just" because I was out-of-shape but that I was also suffering from altitude sickness......at least that's what I'd like to think!
But aside from the STEEEEEEP ramp incident, we had a wonderful day with our new friend Jim. As soon as we all could breath again, we hobbled down the road for a nice, relaxing lunch and lots of Root Beer!
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6 comments:
Nice, I was there in 2007!!
Israel
Talk about lookout views....what vistas! Did they let you go into those little mud houses on the clift? What an adventure......but don't overdo it...hopefully is not hot and muggy. Have fun and stay safe.
ant ellie
Ya know, Liz. Out of shape may have been part of it, as I can fully attest to, but I'm also pretty sure that altitude was a problem. It's amazing how fast that can creep up on you when your not used to it. And you can't always stay in one spot long enough to acclimate. So I think you did pretty well. Have really enjoyed your blogs and photos. Great stuff.
Debra
"love it......"
Beautiful pics. I have seen Utah around Monument Valley and some of Colorado. These pics make me want to take a sightseeing trip slowly through Colorado. Thank you so very much for sharing your travels and life with all of us.
I look forward to reading your blog each and every day.
Love
Judy
I've been to Mesa Verde - fantastic! Don't know how you made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jacquetta
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