Mesa Verde National Park, CO

​​August 15, 2022

I made it to Mesa Verde National Park. I had no trouble securing a spot in the campground and was rather stunned that this campground was quite vacant. Once I checked in, I could choose whatever site that I wanted to. And the challenge was finding one with some shade. Much of this area has been a victim of forest fires. From the signs, I could see that the most recent fires are 50 years old or newer. So I would suspect the fires have been going on since the beginning of time. I am nestled in between grambel oak, tightly clustered trees/bushes that are giving me some welcome shade. I am enjoying listening to the crickets this evening and also encountered several puffball mushrooms. Or at least I think that’s what they are. Too bad I’m not a mushroom eater, otherwise I might’ve won the lottery. 

I enjoyed several Lookouts including the “knife‘s edge,” which apparently was one of the routes that all would’ve taken into this area in the turn of the last century. It was quickly abandoned for much needed highway improvements, including a dark tunnel through the mountains. This park was is established in 1906.






























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