Nikon V1 – Page 7 – Ink, Yarn & Beer

Home Sweet Home

If you look, you can find old photos taken on huge, bellows cameras of these cliff dwellings as they were discovered. Many were in terrible shape, and today, through skilled restoration, are in better condition than they were 100 years ago (or more). In keeping with the old photos, I put together this panorama of Square Tower House. What I like is that you can see just how nicely it is tucked in under the cliff, and beneath the mesa above. I think this would be a great place to live – give me that top room! – but the commute might be a bit much for this old lady.

Square Tower House

Of all the pictures I took at Mesa Verde National Park, this was one of the most difficult. To see Square Tower House, you have to sort of lean over a railing, and look into a canyon. This building seems to be built into the corner of a canyon. Additionally, nothing I did conveyed the beauty of the place – it was really hard to get the lighting corrected to show the colors and the details. Final editorial choice is obviously the b&w, which I think does the job rather nicely.

The World Beyond

The view from the top of Mesa Verde into the canyons which surround it, and on to ranges beyond. Wanderlust to explore sets in!

A View from Mesa Verde

Looking back toward the Mancos Valley, before seeing any cliff dwellings, this is the view from Mesa Verde, a tall outcrop above the valleys below. Click through to see the snow on the distant mountains. Brrr!

Looking Toward Spruce Tree House

I am still going through the pictures I took during our stay in the Four Corners area and our visit to Mesa Verde National Park. The colors of the high desert, combined with the sudden appearance of a cliff dwelling, are breath-taking. As you descend toward the Spruce Tree House, glimpses are caught here and there.

Can you imagine the surprise of seeing these buildings tucked underneath a sheer cliff, with no apparent access? Trees above, canyon below, with only ropes and ladders and narrow paths to come and go.