We walked down thousands of stairs, climbed several ladders and walked miles of trails exploring the ancient mesa top and cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado last week.  For centuries many thousands lived on the mesa, in the canyons.  Then 800 years ago they built over 600 dwellings and grain storage facilities in natural cliff cavities eroded in the sandstone.  Within 100 years of doing so, they were gone, moving south into what is now Arizona and New Mexico.  Archeologists suspect drought, over-population, or possibly war, but are really not sure why these great cliff cities were abandoned.

The early people hunted and fished, living in communities called pueblos of 100 to 200 people.  Water was a cherished resource and corn imported from what is now Mexico allowed them to prosper and grow.  Towards the end of their time here they built the cliff dwellings accessed by toe and hand holds chipped into the sandstone cliff walls or by crude ropes they weaved from yucca plant fibers. 

We enjoyed our visit as we stepped back in time 1,000 years into the past the view this once vibrant society of people.  This weekend we are in Fairplay, Colorado for the 69th Annual Burro Days.  The event features arts and crafts (that’s us), food, entertainment and a burro race.  Participants and their pack burro complete a 30 mile race through valleys and over mountains to win.  The event challenges them to “get their ass over the hill.”