In late June, Sarah came back for a summer visit, and we hit the road for a classic Southwest adventure. Our main destination? Mesa Verde National Park—a place I had explored once before with Jeff, but this time, we were determined to dive deeper into the cliffside history.
Into the Heart of Mesa Verde
From Cortez, Colorado, we wound our way up into Mesa Verde along a twisty mountain road with epic panoramic views that only got better with each mile. Once inside the park, you find yourself literally on top of the world—navigating a network of mesas with sprawling overlooks and archaeological treasures around every bend.
This time, we made it a point to tour the ancient cliff dwellings with park guides, which added so much context and wonder to the experience. Our first stop was Balcony House—and I absolutely loved it! The climb up ladders and through narrow passageways made it feel like we were stepping back in time, crawling through history itself.
Then came the iconic Cliff Palace, easily the most famous site in the park—and for good reason. Its sheer scale is awe-inspiring, even though centuries of exposure have left it partially weathered. Still, standing there and imagining what life once looked like within those stacked stone walls was nothing short of magical.
Despite Colorado’s moody monsoon season, we somehow timed everything perfectly and dodged the downpours, giving us clear views and crisp air throughout our stay.
Four Corners & Muddy Memories
On the way home, we made a detour to the Four Corners Monument, where Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico all meet in a single dusty spot. There’s not much there besides the marker itself and a few local artisan stands, but it’s one of those quirky road trip rites of passage.
It was lightly raining, and the parking lot was a muddy mess, so we left Jax in the car (he gave us the stink eye). After a short wait in line behind fellow travelers, we stepped onto the monument for the obligatory “standing in four states at once” photo op—muddy shoes and all.
Taking It Easy in Winslow
Next stop: Winslow, Arizona. Yep, that Winslow—the one made famous by the Eagles’ classic lyric. Of course, we had to stop and snap a photo “standing on the corner” with the mural and statue. The town itself had a sweet, small-town vibe with charming shops and inviting local diners that made it a perfect quick pit stop.
Fourth of July in Sonoita
We wrapped up Sarah’s trip with a relaxing 4th of July down in Sonoita with my mom. The nearby town of Patagonia put on a delightfully quirky local parade, complete with classic cars, costumed kids, and more hometown spirit than you can shake a sparkler at. Even Jax got in on the festivities, charming everyone he met.
From ancient cliff dwellings and muddy monuments to roadside Americana and small-town parades, this trip had a little bit of everything. It was a perfect blend of history, road trip nostalgia, and good old-fashioned summer fun.