Mesa Verde 2008 Trip Notes


Asheville to Minneapolis to Denver
Denver to Detroit to Asheville

Miles Driven: 1700

5/1 - Left Denver - arrived in snow storm - two hour delay near Colorado Springs due to
        truck wrecks - stayed in Publeo, CO over night.  Stayed at
        Best Western - room OK - both wired and WiFi.

5/2 - Drove to Cortez, CO - Best Western Turquoise Inn for 6 nights - $116 a night
        Room 306 - suite (handicapped room) - new carpet smell - free wireless
        Ate at Fiesta Mexican - food was good and price was right.

5/3 - Mesa Verde - Spruce Tree House - Petroglyph Point Trail
        3 miles round trip - mod/hard - actually pictroglyphs
        had a flat tire.

5/4 - Mesa Verde - Cliff Palace -
        stumbled on Cathy Mitchell from UNCA while waiting
        for tour - worth trip - climb ladder on exit.
        Mesa Verde - Far View Ruins & Reservoir

5/5 - Anasazi Heritage Center - well worth it
        Hands on exhibit - over 1,000,000 items
        when McPhee Reservoir created.
        Met a Erwin High School teacher from 1956.

        Ate at Tequila's - Molcajets (chicken, beef, pork, shrimps, fish)
        $27 - for 2 - enough for 3 or 4 people - recommended

5/6 - Lowery Pueblo and Painted Hand Ruins - both good
        Ate at Dry Dock Seafood Restaurant - large portions
        - good prices - recommended

5/7 - Mesa Verde Pottery near Cortez
        Some reproductions, some originals - very
        reasonable pricing - will ship items.
        Ate at Nero's Italian Restaurant - ok

5/8 - Salida, CO - Comfort Inn - $67 - nice, quiet room
        Free wireless - Six deer in yard next door.
        Nice views.
        Ate at Country Bounty - home cooking - had
        meat loaf (contained beef, elk, bison, and sausage) - recommended

5/9 - Denver, Co - Crowne Plaza - $53 - free airport shuttle -
        food within walking distance
        e470 - toll road - some were staff while
        others require exact change.  If you don't pay a toll,
        there is a $250 fine or call (303)537-3470 and pay
        the 75 cents with a credit card.