Day 21: Durango, CO to Moab, UT with a stop in Mesa Verde!

We left Durango (and cheap gas) behind as we headed toward Mesa Verde National Park. This NP features many, 2000 known, ruins of homes and villages built by the ancient Pueblo people. These stone dwellings are mostly from the 1200s, (although Maryanne is correct in the video – that was a rare example.) Many buildings were built inside caves or under cliffs, which look impressive and imply that the ancient denizens must have been in shape to do all that climbing.

Helen and Maryanne both enjoyed learning A LOT and hiding behind tour groups to listen to the park ranger speak to groups. It fulfilled Maryanne’s dreams because once in 3rd grade she had to make a Pueblo home out of a show box.

These ancient people did A LOT right. They took care of their crippled children and created crutches, men and women were equal! (women created the pottery and men the weaving), and they understood about living in harmony with their environment. In fact, once they felt they were using up their resources, they moved to a different place for awhile so nature could replenish.

With the election 13 days away, strangers are becoming more volatile about politics. A man came up to Maryanne and pointed to her Obama bumper sticker and jested, “Nice McCain sticker!” Maryanne just laughed and said, “Oh no! Obama all the way!” The man suddenly became aggressive, as though he had just realized the spelling difference between Obama and McCain and began to rant. Maryanne tried to deflect his assaults by saying, “Well at least we can agree to vote!” The man proceeded to blast those dam liberals and ACORN and stated that some counties in Alabama had more registered voters than people. Maryanne was respectful and didn’t state any of the following:
1) ACORN trying to make Alabama into a swing state is a waste of time. Why not take an already swinging state and push them over?!
2) Oh right! Because registration fraud is VERY different from voter fraud. And when you are paying someone commission to register voters – then SHOCKING, there will be fake registrations!
3) Also, true fact: McCain was the keynote speaker in 2006 of ACORN and praised this organization.
The grouchy old man soon returned to his tour bus, and THEN someone else his age snuck over and whispered, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m the only one here who loves your sticker.” Oh, there is hope!

(I don’t support the actions of ACORN, but I understand how someone being paid per registration would be tempted to forge forms.)

That night we got to experience being homeless. We arrived late in Moab and finding a campsite in the dark proved WAY more challenging than anticipated. We finally found a desolate spot, but we were tired and didn’t mind. After setting up camp and eating, we wandered around and discovered that 20 feet away someone else was camping! This eerie feeling, accentuated by their lack of car, bike or motorcycle and the distance out we were, prompted us to pack up quickly.

After another miserable hour of driving, we found a spot. We learned that Maryanne’s 11 year old tent is terrible in wind and has MANY flaps that don’t tie down. We were attacked all night by noise from gusts of winds. We got about 4 hours combined of sleep and packed up at 7AM and left.

Life Lesson, our gift to our readers:
Big Bend Creek = DON’T CAMP THERE UNLESS IN AN RV.