14 @ Mesa Verda

Pretty drive from Durango, another Wild West town. Someone said the closest city to here is in New Mexico, Albuquerque. Anyway we seem isolated and with a limited population in the Montazuma Valley. Nice ride into the park, climbing to gain long distant views. Entered the park and went on the Cliff Palace tour at noon. Around 1200 AD Pablo people came off the cliff tops where agricultural practices of growing maize and squashes. Theses cliffs faced south at 7%, giving them 20 more growing days a year and a method of catching water and irrigating. They lived in Kivas, round cellars with a ladder descending from the centre, fire place. Ah a new name for my man cave!

Our second tour took us to the Balcony, situated on a rock ledge and having stunning views. Walked down a path against a cliff, climbed a big ladder, thru a gap and onto a ledge. Got the brief and then thunder and the rain started. And then the heavens opened up. The rock cliffs turned on the waterfalls whilst we stood hemmed in. Great experience but after while, a long while, we had to leave. Climbed out, up ladders, chain walkway to the top where, closer to heaven it was even wetter. Time to go. Under a thatched shelter we got redressed, best we could for the long trip down out of the park and back to Durango. The rain got heavier, the roads were sheeting and progress was dubious. We had a ways to go! The bike did its thing giving me security to a point and trust. Cars pulled over to let us pass in the steep park decent so we didn't have to sit in their spray. The weather as we got lower didn't abate but increased. 40 mls to go. Man it got heavier. Speed decreased but the desire to get to drier ground in the safe refuge of a motel spurred us on. Phaa, they call it wet weather clothing but not for this weather! I focused on the conditions that were thrown at us and yes the thoughts of beers and wine were simplified and ended up as hot tea, chocolate and a sip of the Cointreau with dry clothes kept us safe?

Back in our room converted to a Chinese laundry the sun came out and lifted our room temp reaching 90F and the desire to get out became overwhelming. Wet clothes hung everywhere. Jackets towed dried, boots up turned stuff in the bathroom dripping. Ingeniously the hair dryer was propped up against soap and shampoo blowing revitalising hot air into the gloves in anticipation for the run tomorrow.

Dinner was in a bar that had too many beers to choose from and too noisy to stay. Wandered the main drag, passing up the desire to buy more trinkets, tshirts and presents for family's. After all how much is too much! Passed up some music in an Irish bar which sounded good but hectic yet edged on by the cowgirl in Lenore ending up in the Wild West salon down town Durango. Did I say local. Mention redneck, dunno. But the music was both country and western and all between. Everyone wore boots, many hats. There were fine fellows, grey in hair with pony tails, loose flowing mains and those with handle bar moustaches and tall hats! There were cougars on the prowl, neckin on the dance floor and pool being played at the back. Sounds perfect doesn't it! There were girls in, well all sorts of attire! Shorts n boots, skirts n boots hats, clothing too tight, too short too....it doesn't matter. The local beer was a little less than desirable but gave us an accessory needed so we ended siting on a fire place, next to a rubbish bin. Nice! However the grand plan was to blend in and sneak a few snaps of each other whilst mingling. Did it work, dunno but got some fun pix of the ummm, locals! So as tourists we got a number of shots to remind us if we ever think of straying away from rock n roll, don't! Lol

Anyway that was our day.