Durango via SE Utah - April 17 - 25, 2026
Diana had a conference in Durango so she took some time off so we could explore SE UT and SW CO sites.

Friday April 17 - drive from Greeley to Parachute, CO. Wet roads and snow and wind but no issues.

Saturday April 18 - Since we were in the area (roughly) we had to go to our favorite restaurant, anywhere, for a late breakfast (The Tamarak in Green River, UT). Next to a weird, man-made (accidently) geyser (though we misssed the peak). On to Hole-in-the-Rock, Wilson Arch and Newspaper Rock NHS before our motel in Blanding, UT



Sunday April 19 - A day circling Bears Ears National Monument with stops at Bluff Fort, Sand Island Petroglyphs, Comb Ridge Rd (washed out), Valley of the Gods, Mexican Hat Rock, Gooseneck State Park, Moki Dugway, Natural Bridges NM, Mule Canyon site and many others.


Monday April 20 - Another day of exploration - Delores Canyon, multiple Canyon of the Ancients sites and Mesa Verde National Park (we've been here several times but learned 2 new things: 1)"Anasanzi" is no longer acceptable to the local natives. Use "Ancestral Pubeleon". 2} They no longer teach that "it's a mystery where they came from or where they went".)


Tuesday April 21 - This was to be an easier day but we walk 2 miles around downtown Durango (very nice town), got ice cream and found Pinkerton Hot Spring (no help of Google Maps}.


Wednesday April 22 - Another day of exploring! Chaco Culture National Historical Park and various smaller sites spread around Bloomfield and Aztec, NM
Waffles and more included Our hotel pool and hottub


Thurday April 23 and Friday April 24 - Diana's Western Planner Conference are these two days. Noel did laundry, shopping and car washing (it was extremely dirty!)


Saturday April 25 - 8 hour drive home (with a couple of stops)
The original Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Durango We went through here the day before. Whew!