{"id":396,"date":"2014-06-17T12:55:46","date_gmt":"2014-06-17T20:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/?p=396"},"modified":"2014-07-14T18:46:01","modified_gmt":"2014-07-15T02:46:01","slug":"21-days-in-june-day-14-mesa-verde-co","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/?p=396","title":{"rendered":"21 Days in June Day 14 \u2013 Mesa Verde, CO"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story: 21 Days in June<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Page 14 of 20 – Day 14<\/address>\n
Cortez to Mesa Verde NP, CO (82 miles RT)
\nVia US 160<\/address>\n
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Terrain: Curves, mountain, high elevation changes, scenic
\nDate: June 2014
\nRoads: Paved highway, National Park roads
\nTechnical: Easy, to intermediate because of gusty winds on ridges
\nElevation: 6,142 ft. to 8,373 ft
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We stay in Cortez another night and visit Mesa Verde National Park for a day\u00a0(park entrance is only 12 miles)<\/p>\n

Mesa Verde has always been a lifelong dream to visit. We decided to spend extra time here and happy that we did. Opt for the tours and get there early to get good timeslots. On the tour, you get right inside the ruins and rangers tell the story that only they can do. Many of these rangers were archeology students and have worked in the field so have first hand stories to tell.<\/p>\n

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We say goodbye to our friend that has graciously escorted us around the Million Dollar Highway. So long, but not forever. We’ll be back!<\/p>\n

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Even at Mesa Verde there are lots of bikes<\/p>\n

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The roads are not bad. You don’t want to speed around too much of course. You can’t tell, but the wind was gusty up to 35-40 mph!<\/p>\n

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There are some tar snakes here too. Not many, but I am really getting annoyed at them these days.<\/p>\n

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I thought that I’d throw this picture in. You can only see this if you go inside on the tour. Tours are only about $4 each so well worth it.<\/p>\n

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Mesa Verde is actually pretty high in the cliffs. You go up quite a bit of elevation to get up there.<\/p>\n

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Since we are still in Cortez, where else would we eat. Here are the FAMOUS green chili cheese fries. They are a meal in itself. Oh, the wheat beer isn’t included.<\/p>\n

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Tomorrow we head for Arches NP and start heading toward the west again\u2026<\/p>\n

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