This is what greeted us on our

way to Mesa Verde.

Mesa Verde translates

to green table.

An imposing monolith

welcomes us to the Park.

Prime example of why

it is called Mesa Verde.

There was a fire in the

Pinyon-Juniper Forest

nearly 30 years ago.

An artsy photo, none the less!

"Cliff Palace"

Ancestral Pueblos moved to

Mesa Verde about AD 550.

Kivas are circular structures

that were used for religious,

social and utilitarian ceremonies.

 

Closeup shot of a section

of Cliff Palace.  Restoration work

has been going on for decades.

 

Another closeup of

Cliff Palace.  Some dwellings

are 2, 3 and 4 stories.

Hemenway House, which is

found in a different section

of the Park.

Standing in front of

Cedar Tree Tower.

 

 

Canyon De Chelly, AZ to CO

Before leaving Page, AZ,

I just had to have a picture of

the Italian Cypress outside

the Methodist Church.

De Chelly is French.

(It's pronounced duh chay)

The Canyon is just outside 

of Chinle, AZ.

The bottom of the canyon

is used for grazing and agriculture.

A large stream snakes

through the valley.

Tours are conducted through and

along the river.

Interesting geological formations.

In places, the canyon is almost

a thousand feet deep.Gu

Another view of the large stream.

Guess who!!!

Enjoy the view!

I made Bill turn around so I could

take this picture on the way

to Cortez, CO.

This was on the other side of

the church.

"Four Corners"

This is where Utah, Colorado,

Arizona and New Mexico meet!

Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, AZ

Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon

National Recreational Area, AZ.

It extends more than 150 miles

from the dam.

Two water skiers are being

pulled by a boat in the lake.

Wahweap Marina

Long view of Lake Powell

A display of dinosaur tracks at

the visitor center.

Glen Canyon Dam and the

Colorado River, AZ.

Parting shot of the river and lake.

Glen Canyon Bridge over

the Colorado River

at Page, AZ.

Utah to Arizona

Found this place just

outside of Kanab, UT.

Here I am at the observation platform.

Sand dunes are created by three

factors: sand, high winds, and a

unique influence upon

those high winds.

Off highway vehicles and dune

buggies are allowed to ride 

about 1200 acres of dunes.

Just a pretty photo.

Finally in Arizona.  I really

like these ponderosa pines!

Talk about contrast.  We go from this

to this...

...cattle and the

Vermillion Cliffs.

More wild flowers

along the road.

One of many sights along

Route 89A.

A wider view of the

Vermillion Cliffs, AZ.

The Colorado River on its

way to the Grand Canyon, 

cutting a new gorge.

Another cactus in bloom.

Colorado River gorge

from a distance.

Bryce to Kanab, UT

We woke up Wednesday morning in

Bryce Canyon National Park to

rain and fog. So, we knew viewing

the park was not going to happen.

We decided to take a scenic route

to Kanab and what a journey it was!

The mountains got snow

instead of rain.

The melting snow causes streams

and rivers to flood.

I have always wanted to see Bryce

in the snow, and I was thrilled to

see similar formations in the snow!

Another Bryce-like formation in the snow.

Clouds rising out of the mountain

valleys.

One of the beautiful mountain

lakes along our scenic route to Kanab.

By the way, the route of 80 miles to

Kanab turned into 183 since one of the

roads was closed!

We came across a lava flow.

Parts of it were hundreds

of feet deep.  Dust and dirt

blow into it and thus, you have

vegetation that will grow.