Sat 7th June – 4260 steps
Today was a driving day, from Flagstaff to Mesa Verde National Park, via Oljata Monument Park and 4 Corners, a total of approx 350 miles and 6 hours of driving through desert. “la, la, I’ve been through a desert on a horse…”
It was a long haul, but totally worth it. The mesas and buttes are incredible and the landscape goes on forever. From Arizona, you cross into Utah and then into Colorado. Most importantly, most of the area falls into Hopi followed by Navajo Reservation. All of it is very harsh environment. All along the road at different tourist spots, there are local Indians selling jewelry and craft. It is very much like driving through Swaziland in that respect. Most of the stores carry similar items and prices do not vary from stall to stall.
We also stopped at 4 Corners where the 4 state borders meet perpendicularly. The states are Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. It falls under the control of the 2 Indian reservations. There was a bit of a queue and it was incredibly hot, but worth the picture.
We crossed into Colorado and also Ute territory. Less of desert here, there are green space so farming occurs and a casino.
We finally reached our destination, the campgrounds at Mesa Verde, at 6pm and had a relaxed night in a beautiful surrounding.
Chuckle of the day: The lady selling jewelry at Elephant’s feet, said they are also known as horse foot and donkey foot or Republican and Democrat
What I learnt: The reservations have there own president. There are 22 candidates running for the upcoming elections. When I asked the jewelry vendor if any of them were good, she said no. How sad is that.
Kim's journey 