Mesa Verde

"Mesa Verde National Park was created in 1906 to preserve the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Puebloans, both atop the mesas and in the cliff dwellings below.
About 1400 years ago, long before Europeans explored North America, a group of people living in the Four Corners region chose Mesa Verde for their home. For more than 700 years they and their descendants lived and flourished here, eventually building elaborate stone communities in the sheltered alcove of the canyon walls. Then in the late 1200s, in the span of a generation or two they left their homes and moved away. " - Mesa Verde Map & Guide.

Justin's grandfather told him Mesa Verde was a must see. He had visited many years earlier and learning about the lives of these people had moved him. We soon found ourselves at the Chapin Mesa Museum learning how the civilization advanced from nomadic basketmakers to a settled farming community living in archetectually complex cliff dwellings. The museum quickly gave you a feel for the lives of these people, the advancement of their society, and how resilent people can be under such tough circumstances.
We then took a tour to see Spruce Tree House ruins guided by a National Parks Ranger. He submerged us into the lives of these people - enlightening us about their culture, Kivas, and Puebloanian way of life. It was inspiring to see the world in such a new light.

After the tour we wanted to take a photo of us with the ruins in the background and I asked a fellow travelor to take a photo of us. Her name was Amy - she was traveling by herself from Minnesota making her way to Washington - she's going to be looking and listening for mating pairs of Spotted Owls in the Cascades until the end of summer. We enjoyed her company and soon found ourselves playing leap frog with her while driving the Mesa Top Loop viewing the multitude of Cliff Dwellings across the canyon. In our conversations I learned she was also a fellow couchsurfer - and she'd be arriving in the Seattle area around the same time; funny way to meet a possible future surfer of our couch...

After leaving the Mesa Verde ruins we drove back to Cortez, CO to look for a place to park overnight. Though we wish we could afford accomodation everynight it is our meager living that enables us travel on such an extended trip. We've found parking at hotels has been a good stategy. (we blend in with the other cars, less of a likelyhood to be woken up in middle of the night - and if we did I'd rather it be hotel security than a cop, and lastly we can normally find a bathroom inside if needed... ohh - and did I mention WIFI internet?) We haven't found an unlocked pool or jaccuzi yet but Buzz enjoys scouting the hotels on search and infiltrate missions...

We ended up going back to the Baymont Inn so Sam could use their internet connection again; we had stayed there the night before. The day visiting the ruins at Mesa Verde left us in a talkative state for some reason - Sam and Buzz chatting away in the dragon and Justin and I doing the same in the White Rhino. During our hour long debates of humanity, ancient astrology & wisdom, and the journey of life - we noticed a guy getting in a parked car - driving 20 spaces - parking - and going back again. We thought it was strange and didn't know if he worked there or what so we decided to change hotels instead of taking our chances there. Besides, right next door was a Holiday Inn and why would anyone stay the same place twice on this kind of a trip?

The next morning we were unable to use the john at the Holiday Inn - so back we went to Baymont. Justin went in first, and when he returned he advised me not to use the nearest entrance; a woman was cleaning the doors. I went around the building to the other door which was conveniently right by the bathroom I was headed to. I went right in - it was a private restroom right outside the gym. All I really wanted to do was wash my face - and since it was a private bathroom I thought I might as well quickly wash my hair. Mid lather I heard:
[Bang Bang Bang Bang on the door]
Me: Yeah?
[Bang Bang]
Me: Just a second... (Ugh - must be security... quick rinse and dry of my hair - throwing everything in my bag and opening the door...
[Flash - he took a picture of me with his cell phone as I opened the door]
[Big burly guy - looked really pumped up not knowing who he'd be confronting]
Security guy: (Demanding) Are you a guest?
Me: No sir, I was just using the bathroom...
Security guy: (Amped up) This is private property: you are trespassing... I could call the cops - leave my hotel now! You need permission to use the bathroom - argggg
Me: (Raising my hand in the universal stop position) Calm down sir - I've done you no harm - I'll leave...
Security guy: Don't touch me man - I'm looking for a reason to kick your ass...
Me: (exiting) There's no reason to kick my ass (couldn't believe this guy was that upset)
Security guy: You aren't walking fast enough - MOVE!
Me: (thinking what an unprofessional prick -and I just kept walking)
Security guy: We own the back lot too - you better not be going over there...
Me: I'm going to my vehicle and I'm leaving... Look I'm a good person - you don't have to be rude - I'm leaving...
Security guy: If I see you in Cortez again...
He then approached Justin in the dragon as he was taking pictures of the license plates...
Justin: (smiling) How's it going man! (Thinking he was just another admirer of the dragon)
Security guy: (insert A-Hole response)

We left promptly - but I I was still baffled at how shaken this guy was over the smallest of gestures - using a restroom. Hindsight - I could have diffused the entire situation saying I was about to check in - inquiring about vacancy at the front desk - but at least now I'm better prepared to deal with hotel security guards just looking for a fight...

A quick discussion with the owner of the dragon and we realized the dragon's heading should start pointing northwest. Our trip is winding down to an end - and we're off to the Canyon Lands of Utah where our impending departure will transpire - I'll be heading back to Colorado in the White Rhino to visit some Navy buddies as the dragon flies back to Seattle to be reunited once again by her gracious owner.

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