Mesa Verde & Durango Family Vacation

We decided to take the boys on a Vacation before school started back again. I heard about Mesa Verde and the Train that goes from Durango to Silverton. We got a good deal on the train tickets and hotels so we went for it. The first day we went to Four Corners, got there and found out it was under construction. Hence the picture in front of the gate. It was a little disappointing but we'll get back there again sometime. So the plans then changed to going into Mesa Verde. We spent about half a day and did a couple small unguided hikes. The boys seemed to really like the climbing in & around the rocks & trails. We went back for a second day and the boys earned their Junior Ranger badges. The hikes we did that day required climbing the ladders that are up the face of rocks. Meanwhile we could see the spots on the rocks where the pueblo people used to climb up the rocks. It was a lot of fun but kinda scary at the same time when looking down the canyon below. We enjoyed the pretty scenery and learning the history.

We actually had to climb the 30 ft ladder in the picture below to get up and look around inside... We stayed in Farmington NM about an hour out of Durango. It was cheaper to pay the gas than a hotel in Durango for the train ride. The boys really liked the train. As with all new things about 2 hours into the 8 hour ride they were over it and ready to be done. It was AmAZinG scenery! I had my head out the window taking pictures most of the ride. We're hoping with the boys being older and me working more we'll be able to afford to go & see more places!