The day began with a trip back to Mesa Verde NP to take a ranger guided tour of Cliff Palace, the largest Pueblo village in North America. Cliff Palace may have housed up to 120 people in a series of intricately crafted houses and multiple kivas. We were fortunate to have a guide (Louanne) who knew her history well and was able to communicate it clearly and powerfully. Quite the learning experience. some images:

After leaving Mesa Verde, we headed to Hovenweep National Monument, an intriguingly beautiful example Pueblo village built in and around a valley that at one time featured a spring that supplied water to the village. The rock and mortar architecture—considered the finest example of Pueblo architecture in the world—was realized without metal tools and without beasts of burden. It’s a very special place. I hope some of the images can convey that.

We left Hovenweep and made our way to Monument Valley Tribal Park, getting there in time for dinner at the Monument Valley View Hotel and a few dramatic images taken at sunset and moonrise. Tomorrow we’ll drive into the park for a full exploration. But for now…