We think WE are roughing it: Visit to 800-year-old Anasazi ruins

Today we decided to replicate a hike of 5 years ago, and visit the Anasazi ruins we discovered that are in a wash near where we are camping.

We had happened upon these ruins 5 years ago while hiking.  There are no signs indicating they are there, and they are not on maps. 

The main challenges of this hike are (1) getting into the wash were the ruins are located, and (2) getting back out....safely.

We started by walking down a road that went along the rim of the wash.  We knew that eventually the old road would bring us close to a point where we could find a safe path to the wash.

 

We found a way into the wash, after a few tries.  

 

 

Hiking up the wash was fairly easy. 

 

And then we came to them.  And, like 5 years, ago, we were awestruck. 

 

 

There was a window above me.  Vicky was inside looking out--with me at the "front door."  Two floors.  You can still see some of the floorboards for the second story in the photos.

 

 

Look at the quality of the window.  Wood framing above.  Still completely square.

 

It was very moving to be inside their home.

Then we had an arduous and challenging hike out of the wash.  The Anasazi did this probably every day:

A small Anasazi family, or two, or three, built this house out of mud and rocks.  Mud and rocks.  With stone-age tools.  But with far from “stone-age” knowledge and skills.

And it is still standing. The support timbers are, for the most part, still there, and still holding the structure together.  The walls feel like concrete.  Frankly, you could move into it now.  Put up a couple of curtains.  

You can read about the Anasazi on Wikipedia.  It has a lot of good information.  

But what Wikipedia or other sources you can read cannot convey is the “feel” of who these people were.  You need to go into their homes, built 800-1000 years ago, to get a better idea. They survived on their own.  Found ways of comfort.  Grew, hunted, or found food.  Had children.  Made drawings on the walls.  Lived their lives afraid of enemies, so their homes were also mini-fortresses that were difficult to find and get into.  

We have a lot of respect for them—carving out lives in this harsh environment.  We hope they had joys and feelings of triumph.  After all, none of our homes are going to be standing in 800-1000 years.  

Stone age?  What an insult.

p.s.  Thank you Presidents Obama and Biden for making this area where these hardy and powerful people lived into a National Monument.