Yesterday we traveled about a hundred miles to Mesa Verde.  I had always wanted to go, but it looks like we waited too late to really take advantage of the area.  The 3 guided tours all were rated "strenuous" and involved ladders and such.  However, there was one large place called the Spruce Tree House that we were able to go on our own, which was rated moderate.

This is a picture  of the place.  Mesa Verde has many of these cliff dwellings, as well as pithouses, which were built partially underground.  It was awesome.

Today we did an activity that left me a little wounded.  We floated down the San Juan River on tubes.  Now we hadn't done that for many years, and we are both bruised and sore from hitting rocks.  We tried to pull up our bottoms over the rapids, but when you are spun around backwards a rock can surprise your body!  We did this 25 or 30 minutes trips twice.  It was so much fun,but I should have stopped while I was ahead.  Everything was going great until I got to the "getting-out place".  Doug and Laura (Wright) had gone in a kayak this time and were waiting for me.  Laura had even gone halfway out into the river to catch me.  But I spun around and just kept floating past her.  I tried to paddle to the shore with no success.  Doug told me to get out of the tube-the water wasn't deep.  I did that, but the rocks were slippery, the current was too fast, and I was trying to keep hold of the tube which was pulling me downstream further.  It was very scary.  I couldn't stand without slipping, and the water was pushing me along.  Doug came along the shore and was able to get the tube with an oar.  I had found a steady standing place and was afraid to move again.  (The other day a woman was on a rock in the river and had someone call 911 to rescue her.  Now I understand why.) I was standing probably only 4 feet from shore, but didn't know what to do.  Laura stepped into the river again, calling me to her.  I reached her hands and then slipped down hard on the rocks.  I thought I had broken something, but I am walking OK.  I feel an ache deep in the area where my leg bone attaches to my hipbone in the front.  Don't know how many bruises we will both have in the morning, or if we will have to roll out of bed.  It was great fun, however, while in the river.  Just tricky getting out!