Phillassetts 2014 -- Days 3 and 4

Our next stop was Mesa Verde. First, we stopped at the visitor center and ate a quick lunch outside (quick because it was a bit chilly and windy).

The statue outside. It is an Indian climbing. The kids thought it was a bit weird.

Kailyn holding Hannah.

Jordan and Hannah showing off another Indian statue.

Ava of course wanted her picture taken too.

We got to see some Indian ruins. They were pretty cool. It is amazing that they are still partially standing.

Jordan with Taiya

Kailyn and Jenessa

Poor Chase was still not feeling well. This seemed to be a particularly bad day.

The kids found a little Horny Toad.  With some coaxing most of the kids held it.

Caden being a brave soul.

Caden helping Ava.

Kailyn was a bit hesitant and we finally talked her into at least touching it.

Me showing Kailyn its not scary at all. (I am carrying poor sick Chase on my back)

Walking around the ruins.

Hannah

Ava

Next we went to the cave dweller ruins. It was a little hike to get to them.

Monkey Jordan

Of course Ava wanted to give it a try too.

A great way to keep everyone on the paved path...warn them of the possibility of poison ivy in the area.

Climbing down into a hole. The Indians had dug a big circular hole into the rock. They believe it could have been used as protection during major storms and/or for religious ceremonies.

Testing out how the Indians would grind wheat and other items.

The view from above.

All of this fun is exhausting.

We saw this cool rock on our drive to Canyon Lands.

Stopping at the visitor center to pick up some booklets for the kids.

Chase was feeling a little better today.

Looks like a pretty cool picture but really...

...it was a bit scary with a huge drop of just a few feet behind us.

The kids were obviously unafraid and were not really sure why we didn't want them so close.

After I went up top, the girls begged me to let them go up too.  (The top of the arch is actually fairly wide, even though it doesn't look like it from the pictures.)

A bunch of pictures of Canyon Lands.

The kids loved being able to climb all of over the rocks.