Four Corners & Mesa Verde

We've begun to develop a pattern.

I don't regret all the time I spent in preparation. However, our trip to this point doesn't look like what we had on paper...and it's been wonderful. Continuing with the theme from the first couple days, we decided to adjust our plans and take a trip to Mesa Verde instead of going straight to Moab. We drove through Mesa Verde on our (only other) vacation in 2004. For whatever reason, we didn't have time to take a tour to the ruins. If memory serves me correctly, the girl managed to get in trouble during our brief visit to the park. I have a picture of her (age 6 at the time) with the cliff dwellings in the distant background and a particularly sour expression on her face. It was that picture I had in mind when I suggested to the missus that we divert to Cortez and finally tour the cliff dwellings. We're glad we did, and I'm glad I have a new picture to contrast the old.



In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that today heralded the first appearance of grumpy dad. It wasn't too bad, but I shut the munchkins down when they got rowdy (tickle fight) as I was navigating the switchbacks and 20-mph curves on our descent from Mesa Verde. All in all, we've managed to keep the peace though our first 850+ miles.

I'd normally let you know what the plan for tomorrow is, but I honestly don't know at this point. We'll check out Arches in the morning, but we haven't decided how to get to Yellowstone from there. We no longer plan to route our trip through Salt Lake City, maybe we'll check out Dinosaur National Monument instead. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks again for reading.