4/16/18 First off we said goodbye to our good friends Mark and Janet Gardner. We had many adventures and tons of fun while they were with us.

 Second day at Navajo National Monument NP. - We decided to spend another day in this NP due to high winds warnings for the 16th. As it turned out, it was a great decision not only not traveling in 40 mile hour winds with the camper, we were able to sign up for an awesome Navajo-led hike into the canyon to view the Betatakin cliff dwelling up close The hike is only upon reservation already made by someone else weeks go; otherwise the view is from the opposite of the canyon looking down about 3/4 mile away (see yesterday's blog). The hike is a strenuous hike with a 700 ft elevation change, hiking 3+ miles in total. 983 steps up plus the switchbacks.
                                                           A view from the top

 Many many steps. A locked gate part of the way down kept out people hiking down without a guide.

                                                                             Trail gate

 Views from the bottom looking at the cliff dwelling. It is believed that the Anasazi's abandoned the dwelling in 1275 due to a prolonged 25 year drought in the region. They never returned. Many artifacts were found. The dwellings are so well preserved due the cave overhang and the eastward facing location, warm sun in the winter and shade in the summer.

 It is amazing that so much of the buildings are intact including second floor wood beams. The structures are over 700 years old! Some of the structures have been destroyed from rocks falling from the ceiling. Hikes!

                             The ladders were put in by the park service based on artifacts found.

 Given the drop-off to the base of the canyon from the dwellings, roughly 75 feet, it is likely that the children were tied to ropes at very young ages.

 Wendy counted the steps up, just the steps, and there were 983 of them. Quite an assent!

Maybe a little worn out.