Hiking, not dancing in the Rain

Well, another month shot to hell-or maybe it was Purgatory, but July was pretty good to us, so let's move on to August. A cool morning-60- & sunny. The coffee is good in my new Colorado Mug . We have a quick breakie-cereal for KK & a sausage sandwich for me. Pack up a cooler & hiking stuff for our trip to Mesa Verde National Park. It's about 40 miles back west to the park & we see lots of cyclists on the way..a benefit ride for peace. There's some of these riders who are already struggling with the climbs..that's why they have sags. At the Entrance by 9:45-senior pass!- but it's a 15 mile, twisting road drive to the visitor center at the Far View Overlook & that it is. There's a long line to purchase tickets for guided tours of the Cliff Palace & Balcony House. I'm not standing in line for this, so we opt for the self-guided tour. Off we go for the Spruce Tree House, it's a short hike, down hill & back up for these ruins. It is very neat & was built by the Anasazi Tribe (The Ancient Ones) in the 600-1200 AD time-frame. We are told that about 100 people lived & worked in this spot. By the way, the Park is packed & parking spots are primo. A few Ranger Ricks are around to answer questions & keep the idiots where they are supposed to be. Back up to the car to have a little picnic & there's a nice big rock by the auto that is perfect. Now we prepare to hike the ridge to some petroglyphs. It's a tough 3-hour hike, over rocks, around big rocks, down steps, up steps, climbing, and now it's raining too. (Where's our jackets?) Oh well, there's plenty of rock overhangs to stand under. We have a nice Park booklet to guide us & explain all of the plants on the way, and then the Glyphs! We almost miss them as some one has moved the marker, but a dear lady tells us to go back & see 'em. So, back down to #24 & the gylphs..they're amazing! We climb back up and now we're on the Mesa & a pretty level walk back to the museum & car. Head out of the park, with a couple of stops & thank goodness there's no construction today since it's Sunday, as they are re-doing the "Ruins Road". I've brought my bike and hope to ride part of the way back..if the weather co-operates. I get out at the last "hill" of the day, and face a 10 mile downhill into Durango! Now that's the "payback" I like. KK goes on & I circle around and head down..WOW!..44.5 mph & I 'm riding the brakes on this 6-7% grade. It was 61 degrees at the top-8250'-and into town at 6500' & a little more comfortable. A few bikers climbing up and the traffic is so-so. I make a left & find the bike path & head toward the camp, looking for new paths. I have to walk down to one portion but it's worth it...all the way up to Home Depot, before getting out on the main road the last 4 miles. (A few coins here and there.) I get to camp with 22 miles for the day & that 500' climb. Hit the showers & we head north looking for Sweeney's--Karen, please note!---I had seen it on our bus trip on Saturday. Their sign out front says" Fabulous" food, and it was! I had the prime rib special, grilled, with a cajun/peppercorn sauce , garlic potatoes & veggies. KK had the salmon special, with horseradish sauce & crusted almonds, their famous brown rice and the bowl of salad with house dressings! And a couple of drinks and great service. (Thanks Karen! It was worth it!) A great way to end our stay in Durango. As we head back, there is massive lightning to the south, toward our KOA & about a mile away it starts to rain, & then a torrential downpour. Into the camper without getting too wet & start blogging, e-mails & postcard writing. Looks like a good sleep with the rain still coming down at 11:00..where's my umbrella? Hope it stops by morning..we're on to Santa Fe tomorrow. A great day in and around Durango!