Road Tripping It - Capitol Reef, Mesa Verde and more...

As mentioned earlier, Danny and I ran away from life for a few days and headed down to the southern side of the state and our neighbor state of Colorado.  I had never been to Capitol Reef National Park or Mesa Verde National Park, so I felt it was high time to check those two off the list.  It was a perfect time to go.  The weather was cool and great for hiking and there were very little crowds, plus the views were gorgeous.  I really tried to cut down on how many pictures I posted, but there are still quite a few.  However, they are pretty pictures, so enjoy!

Capitol Reef National Park - Day 1

The wall where flutes are played.

A beautiful man among beautiful scenery.  (Danny is going to love this 
caption.)

What a lovely rock...

Until it tries to eat you! How frightening.

Capitol Gorge in Capitol Reef.  It's Cool with a capital C.

Taking pictures of petroglyphs.

I approve of this hike.

What you do when you find a heart-shaped rock.

More gorgeous scenery. 

Cool view.

So cool, we decided to become part of the view.

We hiked up to the water tanks.  It was an open invitation to dive right in.

A little carin just carryin' right a long.

Hanging out by the water's edge.

Danny likes to climb things...

While heading back, we startled a rock.

The cliffs of insanity.

A vision of loveliness.

Hiking into the Grand Wash. It was grand and relatively clean, except
for all the dirt.

We didn't get too far into the Grand Wash, because it started getting stormy.
Rumor has it, it isn't wise to hang out in a place called the Grand Wash
during a storm.

Capitol Reef - Day 2

You've got to get a picture by the sign. It's a requirement, I'm pretty sure.

Chimney Rock.

Danny on the way up to the Goosenecks Overlook.  No, really, that's
what the lookout is called.

Goosenecks Overlook.  What fine goosenecks you got there.  

My hiking footwear for the day.  We just went on small jaunts.

Capitol Reef is known for their fruit orchards.  There
obviously wasn't any fruit at this time of year, but the
blossoms were coming out, so that was enjoyable.

I spy with my little eye petroglyphs and some pie.  (Ok, there isn't
any pie, I just wanted to keep on rhyming.)

Capitol Dome

Natural Brides Monument

Sipapu Bridge and me.

Kachina Bridge

Owachomo Bridge.  Next time we visit, we will hike down to the bridges.
We were just passing through on our way to Colorado, so we just went
to the lookouts. 

Natural bridges are what brings us together.

Mesa Verde National Park

The Cliff Palace.  Quite impressive, if I do say so.

How you get down to the Cliff Palace.  Danny and
our two French friends from the tour leading
the way.

Another view of Cliff Palace.

Yay, we made it!

Up close.

This is a spiritual dwelling for the cliff dwelling residents called a Kiva.
They are still used today by the Hopi Indians.  Very cool.

Another view. I think I could live here.

Climbing back up to to the top of the canyon.

Danny ascending the ladder.

Spruce Tree House Cliff Dwelling

Up close to the Spruce Tree House.

Danny in ruins...but Danny's not in ruins if you know what I mean.

There was one Kiva where tourists were allowed to go. I couldn't resist.

Inside the Kiva.

Another view of Spruce Tree House. ( I like to use tree branches to
cover other visitors in my photos.) 

Looking down the canyon of Mesa Verde.

By the Square Tower House.

More ruins.

Oak Tree House.

Keeping the walls up at the Sun Temple.

Peering through the window at the Sun Temple.  I hope that
doesn't make me sound like a creeper.

The view from our drive down from Mesa Verde.  It was fun, Colorado.