So, we packed up camp and got on the freeway to head in that direction. Along the way, we realized that we were too close to the Four Corners, so we took a little detour and stopped to stand in five places all at once: Navajo Nation PLUS Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. I didn't realize that this area features several booths filled with Native American crafts, tools, and art for sale. It's a good thing we only had a little cash on us, or I would have bought a lot more than turquoise earrings! After eating a fry bread taco and sno-cone from a food truck just outside of the monument, we got back into the truck to continue our journey.
Eventually, we stopped in a park I would like to explore some more--Mesa Verde National Park. This park features the ancient cliff dwellings of the Pueblo villages. We only had time to explore one scenic loop of the park, but it was awe-inspiring and left me curious for more. Visitors can climb into and explore the dwellings! I'd like to do that on our next visit. We still had a lot of miles to go before we reached our planned stopping point for the night, so we decided to save the other loops for another time and kept on putting in the miles.
I'm not gonna lie. Today felt like a long day in the car. Finally, though, after getting directions from a resident of the area we eventually pulled into a spot at North Canyon campground in the San Juan National Forest where we made dinner and went to bed early--exhausted from a long day on the road but knowing that with a little rest and fresh air we'd be ready to go again the next morning.
Yep... Long day on the road there.... And how on earth have I got to this point without knowing the Four Corners Monument -- of which up to the point we were pulling into the place I figured was actually Four Corners NATIONAL Monument -- is on Navajo Nation Land?
ReplyDeleteThat a common knowledge fact that just eluded me?
As a self-identified spermologist who also had no idea about the Navajo connection, I can most certainly say you are not the only one.
ReplyDelete