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Week of January 28, 2024 | View the Map

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Thursday

Yesterday we arrived at Mesa Verde. Have any of you ever heard of this place? Holy Idaho! It is amazing here. We had never even heard of it. We have heard the term mesa. It is a pretty common landform in the southwest where we live. Mesa refers to a flat-topped area of land high above the surrounding land, usually with cliff-like sides, appearing like a "table" above its surroundings. Mesas are like plateaus. Interestingly, "mesa" is a Spanish/Portuguese term, and "plateau" is a French term. Even geography words come from many places!

We have gone to so many new places during this adventure. Uncle GT called us and told us to come here because, apparently, Louie made a credit card transaction at a gift shop in this park. That purchase was made two days ago, so hopefully, he is still here, and we can find him.

Mesa Verde (which means green table in Spanish) is a National Park in southwestern Colorado! It is so beautiful. The elevation within the park ranges from about 6,000 to 8,400 feet. There are ridges and valleys. We have been learning about the lives of Pueblo people who lived here long ago: A.D. 600 - A.D. 1300. Can you figure out how long ago that was? The park features over 4,000 archeological sites, 600 of which are cliff dwellings. We learned that cliff dwellings are houses made INSIDE of shallow caves and under rock overhangs along canyon walls. Holy Idaho! They sound so cool. We haven't seen any in person yet! Some of these cliff dwellings were large enough for about 100 people to share and live in together. Holy Idaho! Can you imagine living with 100 people?

Although the park is open year-round, the visitor's center isn't. There was a CLOSED sign on the door that told visitors that they could still shop for Mesa Verde gifts on the store's website. We are hoping that isn't how Louie made his purchase! We are not giving up yet! Since the shop was closed, we weren't able to gather a lot of literature. So much of our research has either been hands-on while we explored or done via Internet search. There is also a museum (Chapin Mesa) which we visited and learned a lot.

The weather has been fairly mild for wintertime. However, Mesa Verde does experience snow sometimes from October - May! During the summer months, it gets very HOT, and the park recommends that you drink plenty of water. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common during the summer.

Okay, we will update our blog later. We included some pictures of this breathtaking area below. We are off to explore.

- Meri

Mesa Verde

Another beautiful picture of the ruins

Another view of Mesa Verde

Friday

We did finally see some of the cliff dwellings yesterday. We also learned about the rich history of this National Park. Did you know that explorers from Spain first went through this area back in the 18th century and didn't see the cliff dwellings -- or so we are told? The first sighting of the cliff dwellings was not until the 19th century.

Mesa Verde became a National Park in 1906. Wow, so it has been a National Park for over 100 years! We also learned that Mesa Verde got its name (green table, in Spanish) because of its forests of pinon and juniper trees. There have been some fires in the past decade that have closed the National Park, but it is reopened now. Some areas still show some damage from the fires.

The location of Mesa Verde is very interesting. Although it is located in Colorado, there are 3 other states very close by. Take a look at the attached map and see if you can figure out what the other 3 states are that are close to Mesa Verde. There is a special name for the area where these states come together. Do you know what it is?

- Geo

Picture of a cliff dwelling we saw!

Another cliff dwelling

Another neat picture of a cliff dwelling

Map of Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde National Park is located near Durango, Colorado. What other states border this National Park? Hint: there are three. For a better view of the states and surrounding areas, zoom out on the map.

Sunday

Well, you aren't going to believe this! Uncle GT called us, and we are now packing our bags AGAIN. Holy Idaho! Geo has been reading up on the Navajo Nation. I knew nothing about it. But Geo found some neat links to share (see below). Geo has always been fascinated by the Navajo Nation. I have to admit that after watching some of these video clips, I am getting interested too! This is a good thing since Uncle GT has just been tracking Louie's cell phone. And you won't believe this! Louie is in the Navajo Nation area. Exactly where we aren't sure! So now we have to figure out where to go next. Geo is SO excited to get to the Navajo Nation. Use the map below (and your research skills) to figure out where we are going! Don't forget to check out the links that Geo found!

- Meri

Mesa Verde (more pictures)

Map of Navajo Nation
Take a look at this map. What three states are included in the Navajo Nation? Which region of the United States is the Navajo Nation located in? How close is this area to the Mesa Verde National Park?

Power Paths
Here is a great site that Geo found all about power plants and Native American tribes. There is a lot to learn here! I bet I know why Louie is visiting the Navajo Nation. What do you think?

Solar Energy - The Future is Now
Wow! Here is another link (if your school allows youtube) that describes the solar energy possibilities in the middle of a desert. Do you think the Navajo Nation is in the desert?

Vote Here:

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