We went to Mesa Verde to see the cliff dwellings and learn about the incredible culture that existed for so long in this place. The drive there was really beautiful through Ridgeway and over the Dallas Divide past Telluride over Lizard Head pass to Cortez. This road is if possible even more spectacular in spring than it is in winter with the snowy mountain peaks contrasting with the green grass. In Mesa Verde for 2 full days we learned so much about the lives of the Ancient Pueblans who lived in this area and how they moved from the mesa dwellings from the first 500 years down to the cliff dwellings for the next 200 years. Thanks to the nightly ranger talks we also learned about the ancient trade routes and animals in the park. Driving back through Durango and Silverton we were lucky to see the steam train pulling out and are now planning a train ride! Ouray is so much prettier than I had thought it would be and then we were treated to spectacular waterfalls for the next few miles….. awesome! So amazing that this is within a days drive from Aspen and Basalt.