There are signs throughout Mesa Verde warning visitors to use caution when hiking and climbing. Nearly everything in this park requires effort, including the guided tours.
Or in the case of Balcony House, especially the guided tours.
The Balcony House tour starts with a steep path down the side of the cliff.
This is followed by an even steeper, metal staircase.
After that...
it's the ladder!
That's thirty two feet of not looking down...
but we made it!
We were now inside the cliff dwellings, albeit on the less used side. This is our guide, Jeannette...
and this is the balcony which gives Balcony House its name.
We spent some time talking, looking and photographing...
then squeezed through the portal...
to the main living area.
We gathered around a kiva for more talking.
When Mom, Dad and I visited Mesa Verde twenty seven years ago, we were allowed to climb into the kivas. This time, we were only allowed to look.
Honestly, I'm not surprised by the change. Given the strenuous nature of this tour...
and the fragility of the artifacts...
and architecture...
I'm surprised and grateful we're still allowed to be in here at all.
Take a good look, James. This might not be possible in another twenty years.
Exiting Balcony House is almost as difficult as entering. There is a long narrow passage way...
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| photo by Ryan |
with a crawl-through section...
and two more big ladders.
Not a problem for James!
The Balcony House tour was the best part of a very good day. I am so glad I got to visit this place with my boys.
October 2017
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