Exploring the Ancient Pueblonian People
June 1st to June 5th, 2006
We went on the most fasinating road trip this past week. Canyon did great for his first road trip. We visited two national parks and five national monuments. We saw amazing ruins, petroglyphs, and vistas. We recomend everyone visit and learn more about Chaco Canyon and the Chacoan people. What awesome people. But don't go in the summer it's too hot. Spring or fall would be nice. Steve really enjoys learning about primitive technology, so he was like a kid in a candy store this whole trip. Pottery, yucca fiber sandals, plant uses, and kivas - we have tons of pictures. He also wanted every book in sight. I guess he's not the only guilty one, I loved it. Canyon had fun riding in his backpack or snugly. He enjoyed exploring a kiva, climbing ladders, and crawling through tunnels.
Our first stop
Navajo N.M. was small and quiet just the way
we like it. We did the quarter mile overlook
of a cliffdwelling built in a huge red
sandstone alcove.
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Our second stop
Hovenweep N.M. was remote on the Utah-
Colorado border. We hiked the two mile loop
of ruin canyon. It was fun.
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Our third stop
Mesa Verde N.P. was big and busy but offers
amazing ruins to tour. We had fun climbing
ladders and stairs. Note to self: Don't let
Canyon play with the car keys. He dropped
Mom's keys over the edge of a cliff. Bye-bye keys.
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Our fourth stop
Aztec N. M. was a quick stop. It only had one
ruin that included a rebuilt giant kiva.
We didn't think it was very accurate but
it did inspire a possible design for a future house.
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Our fifth stop
Chaco Culture Natioal Historical Park
was the most intriguing stop on our
trip. These people were so intelligent.
They were scientists and master craftsman.
We hiked eight miles to one of the outlying
greathouses and the supernova pictograph.
It was super hot but amazing. Steve
found tons of pottery but was good and left
it there. Definately worth seeing.
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Our sixth stop
We added Petrified Forest N. P. to our trip
as we were headed down the road. It was small
but had huge pieces of petrified wood, ruins,
petroglyphs and dinosaur fossils all in on spot.
We did the auto tour.
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Our seventh stop
Canyon de Chelly was our last stop.
The canyon was beautiful but hard to
see due to the limited access.
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Canidid from our trip
