Saturday, June 25, 2016

Day 11: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Sleeping in on a zero day always feels so luxurious. But it very rarely happens. This morning, an amorous grouse, persistently calling out to potential mates, woke us with the sun. 

After a relaxing morning in camp, we headed up the road to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. And yes, by headed up the road, I mean we walked (so not technically a zero day). 

The Gila Cliff Dwellings were once home to a group of ancient Puebloan people. Built inside natural caves high on the cliffs that form the rocky canyon walls, the cliff dwellings are cool in summer and provide protection from the elements in winter. Archeologists are not sure why the Puebloan people left the area, but believe the dwellings were abandoned in the early 1300s. 

After touring the cliff dwellings, we returned to camp and enjoyed a long, luxurious soak in the hot springs while Carla, one of the owners, told us a little more about the area. Then, back to camp for dinner and relaxation. 






No comments:

Post a Comment