A couple more pictures of the Durango-Silverton Train.

Mesa Verde National Park

The settlements at Mesa Verde National Park are quite amazing. Our pictures do not do the buildings or the scenery justice - so google Mesa Verde and I am sure you will see some cool pictures.

We spent a couple nights in the park exploring different old Indian settlements and enjoying the long, beautiful sunsets. At 7,5000 feet with dry air, the colors are fantastic; I now understand why paintings from the Southwest use certain colors/shades. We even saw a bear - at a distance; deer and long feral horses up close.

Fire at Mesa Verde

Over the past couple decades, several fires have swept through parts of Mesa Verde National Parks. Since Pinon and Juniper Pines grow very slowly, the landscape is still extremely stark. Jeff took these pictures.

Flowers of Mesa Verde National Park

Jeff on a Brass Horse Outside a Museum Complex in Santa Fe

Picture 1 - Excitement: While driving out of museum complex in Santa Fe, Jeff saw a brass sculpture celebrating pioneers in New Mexico or something similar. Jeff had me stop the car and he ran like a little schoolgirl to hop on the horse - which was clearly worn from lots of people doing the same thing.

Picture 2 - Shame: While Jeff was posing for a picture, the passengers on an open-air tour bus started waving at Jeff and taking pictures. Then the bus driver got on his loudspeaker and chastised Jeff for disrespecting the statue. This picture shows Jeff climbing off the horse in shame.

Taos Pueblo

We visited the Taos Pueblo; the building behind us are several hundred years old - pre-contact of the Pueblan people with the Spanish. The buildings are not much to look at, but the history of pueblo people is interesting. The old church tower in the cemetary is all that is left of a church that the Spanish destroyed along with lots of Pueblo Indians that were inside.

Yes, that is a fanny pack that Jeff had with him.

Cool Flowers in Southern Colorado

While on the long drive from Boulder to Santa Fe, we (Jeff B, Jim B, and Kellee) saw cool flowers at a National Park Reststop in Southern CO.