"It all started 35000 years ago," says our ranger, Stirling Burnet, in a heavy South Western drawl, "but I wasn't here then so don't take my word for it! Archaeologists say so." Mesa Verde is famous for the complex cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi (now referred to as the Ancestral Pueblo) people of America. When folks think of the United States, they often think of it as a New World but sadly overlook the rich, cultural heritage of the Native Americans who we...

Our drive to Mesa Verde took us past more mountain ranges but, this time, we went downhill most of the way. The further we went, the more arid the landscape became. We stopped in Cortez to stock up on supplies in the Walmart and we continued on to the National Park afterwards. We hadn't quite realised just how huge the park is! It takes at least 30minutes from the entrance gate to get to the campsite, after which it's at least another 30 minutes to the Visitor's...