A few observations about Mesa Verde. We spent more time than expected here. It turned-out to be a really nice campground. Our site - on a hillside, allowed us to overlook the small valley, watching birds and deer come and go. The deer are no dummies. They hang around in this valley, grazing the grasses and bushes with plenty of cover for privacy. The campground is arranged in loops on the bottom and one side of the valley. Brush fills the loops in, and makes the campsites pretty private. The deer quietly sneak into the center of the loops at night - I'm sure for safety. What predator, like a mountain lion, is going to risk an encounter with (shudder) a tourist ? That would mean an instant end to the mountain lion.
Last night was funny. The deer were making their way down the hillside opposite the campground, and some tourists spotted them. Acting like they had never seen deer before, they gathered at the bottom of the valley, and stood there forever, watching them and taking photos. Little did they realize that they were blocking the deers path to the campground for their overnight bedding. I could see the deer, just standing in the brush, waiting for the tourists to leave. Probably talking to each other about another beginning of the tourist season, and the inconveniences of it.
A good half of the campers are from other countries - mainly Germany. They have these small Class C's - about 22 ft long, and zip around in them. Every time I see one go by I'm reminded of The RV Movie with Robin Williams. The little motorhomes have these cheesy signs and pictures plastered on their sides, turning them into giant billboards. For the foreign tourists, what seem like high rental rates and gasoline prices to us are a bargain for them, due to the demise of the value of the dollar. O well, maybe their visiting will help dispel European notions of a crime-ridden America. Just stay away from the cities!
As we headed north, towards Moab, the traffic suddenly ground to a halt. Ahead was a pack of llamas who had escaped their pasture and were making their way to a farm house - across the highway, naturally. They were milling around on the road. Some wanted to proceed, others return to the pasture. All ended-up crossing the road except one, who reluctantly returned to the pasture.
This was one of the first sights we encountered as we entered Utah. You can see that the background is beginning to become interesting. The beehive-like formation is in the middle of nowhere. There was even a little door at the bottom. A cave may have been formed inside. Don't have any more details now.
The Bad
As we proceeded north, I asked Mimi to cross-check our position on the map with the GPS. The GPS said we were on Rt. 491, the map, which is pretty old, said Rt. 666. Humm - Same road. We surmised that the Mormons just couldn't have a road designated as 666 in Utah - The Devils Road! Given their political clout, it was changed to Rt. 491.
The Ugly
As we were cruising along, I was thinking about the lack of problems we have had on the trip. That's always a deadly thing to do. Mr. Devil must have been listening. We pulled into Moab around lunch time, and after a little searching, found the Elks Lodge on a small mesa, right above downtown. We positioned the RV strategically, and began leveling. Smokey has four very powerful hydraulic pistons to raise, lower, and stabilize side to side. Those pistons are also able to twist the frame slightly. Soooo... I over did it, and CRAAAACK! Ruined half of the windshield. I'll go out later and stabilize it with silicone caulk and tape until we can get it fixed at home. O well, stuff happens...
Tomorrow - Arches !!
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