Day 6.1

Mesa Verde is an AMAZEING place. Just unbelievable what the ancients did here. We've only seen half the tours, I'm going to save the others for my next trip through this area because I will be coming back here someday.

It might have been the best part of this entire trip when Pasquale was swore in as a Jr. Ranger and the ranger gave him his badge. he was on top of the world. Thanks Ranger Scott you made that boys day, no year probably. It didn't end there. Ranger Scott was our guide on the first tour of the day, the Balcony House Tour. After Ranger Scott's tour brief to the group he choose Pasquale to be his assistant and help Ranger Scott lead the tour. Pasquale's head swelled 4 hat sizes.....

Pasquale had to lead the group to points along the way and make sure people in the group didn't go into areas that were off limits. He had to enforce the rules of the park, and stand by the rangers side while Ranger Scott gave the talks of what all the points on tour where.  Ranger Scott would describe how the Pueblo live and worked and the whole time he said things like....... "If Jr. Ranger Payton would have been an ancient Pueblo he would have to do this................... or that.........

Everybody who know this kid, knows he was on cloud nine. Ranger Scott was instantly Pasquale's best friend. Pasquale was FULL of questions and Pasquale also had some suggestions or explanations.... The greatest explanation Pasquale gave was on the second tour while he was assiting Ranger Tom. Ranger Tom was showing the tour two Kivas. (Kivas are round wholes in the ground the Pueblo's used in winter to sit in and stay warm and to worship and have ceremonies.) The two Kivas the ranger showed the group where connected by a tunnel. The only two Kivas they have ever found this way. The Ranger asked the group why we thought the Pueblo's might have done that. Pasquale was quick to raise his hand and when the Ranger asked him what he thought he said, " Probably the Mom and Dad's put the kids in one and the parents where in the other so the parents could talk and the kids could play. The tunnel was used by the parents so they could check on the kids and tell them to stop doing stuff" I swear he said that............... About 30 people mostly adults busted out laughing and say he was right...

Well we had a monster day. Pasquale was slap wore out, and I was on the verge of collapse. (Literally) We made chicken fajitas and watched a movie and went to bed. I can't say how awesome this place is, and how great the staff are. I was afraid I was going to get the most enjoyment out of this, but I'm proud Pasquale did and hope he remembers this place for ever.

This morning we are going to have an all you can eat pancake breakfast here in the park. You guessed it Pasquale had to have it...... Than we're head to Silverton and the snow capped mountains we've been looking at to the northeast.

Blog ya later..............

Tug