Day 9: Flagstaff, AZ, 326 miles

Early morning conversation:

"Mom, do you want to keep the complimentary shampoo?"-Gracie 

"No, I don't need that."-Cindi

"It's probably not very good quality seeing that it comes in a pouch."-Joani 

"Especially since it says genital body wash."-Skylar 

In hysterics-"It says gentle body wash."-Joani

Needless to say we all started to bust a gut.

We left the motel before 8am to get over to Mesa Verde NP in time to get tour tickets before they sold out.

About 1200AD ancestral pueblo people began to build the villages beneath the overhanging cliffs. They lived there for 750 plus years in their elaborate stone communities.

We got to climb up into the most iconic of these dwellings, Cliff Palace. Back when we taught the Open Court reading series 3rd graders would read about this place and their people.

Cindi taught this to 3rd graders for many years. She is very excited to see it in person.

"Maybe that's the jail."-Maddy 

"Maybe that's where the women went for their time of the month."-Joani 

It was a short, but fun hike to reach the dwellings with narrow stairs and ladders.

"I think it's cool that I was reading about this in third grade and now I'm seeing it for real."-Skylar 

Madison was chosen from the tour group to be part of the rangers presentation.

Cliff dwelling selfie

Lots of swifts were coming in and out of these rocks at the top of the cavern.

The circular structures are called Kivas and used for ceremony.

Heading back out of the dwellings.

Spruce Tree House

These dwellings show how the Kivas had a roof. They would take a ladder down. They would also light their fire in that same spot down below, but obviously not at the same time.

On the way out of the park we spot some wild horses.

We head out of Colorado and start the 4+ hour drive to Flagstaff, AZ.

State #7 we only breeze in and out of NM, but we are counting it.

Four corners

State #8

Kayenta, AZ McDonald's bathroom and ice cream break. 

Mentos road trip game worth a buck. 

They lasted 80 miles before they desolved. I'd say that is a cheap travel game.

"You know you're in the desert when people are using umbrellas and it's barely sprinkling."- Cindi 

We roll into Flagstaff during a light rain. The temp was just right and we were feeling right at home. We ordered a pizza and called it a night.

My favorite thing today: getting to see Cindi's dream come true.