We visited Mesa Verde about five years ago and I’d forgotten how steep the highway (The Trail of the Ancients) was as we drove up to the top. We’d taken the “scenic” route from home and we’d been driving a long time. It was nearing sunset in August so it was late and we were tired. Still, the drive up to the mesa outshone all my desires to get to the lodge.
I remember two other things clearly. It was nice to view the ruins without worrying about a child falling off a cliff and the light was amazing.
We took a tour with a “temporary” park ranger who began each sentence with “We here at Mesa Verde National Park.” I felt sad because he was so worried about his “spiel” that he kept missing all the wildlife and beauty around him. I kept feeling sad he couldn’t be a “permanent” park ranger. It was a lot like class with a substitute teacher. The ruins, however, were magical and mystical.
It was the light. “Here at Mesa Verde National Park, it’s the light.” That would have said it all for me. The light was magnificent.
The open spaces at dawn and twilight were unlike what I’d seen before. The sky was always a different color than I anticipated. The skies were darker or lighter or a color I couldn’t expect. Almost like Georgia O’Keeffe skies, but different.
Climbing the ruins, the light was gorgeous. The ledges were bright. Sometimes blindingly so. The Anasazi lived in all light and dark all the time. I kept wondering what that would be like.
I hope I’ve done the light justice. I hope the cards remind you of the light when you were there or they inspire you to head to Mesa Verde. It’s a beautiful and mystical place.