09-15-08 Monday (Niagara Falls early)

No, you didn’t miss a post. I skipped Sunday because we didn’t really do anything but some shopping here and there.

This morning we were up at 7am, not purposely. Our first item on the agenda was to visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. An excerpt from http://www.cliffdwellingmuseum.com/ reads:

The word "Anasazi" (ah-nuh-SAH-zee) is used to describe a distinctive American Indian civilization and culture that existed from about 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1300 in the Four Corners Area of Southwestern United States. See Southwest Culture Map. These people are probably best known for the ruins of their monumental cliff dwellings at places like Mesa Verde, which they abandoned at the end of the 13th century. But that's a small part of their story.
The structures at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings faithfully reconstructed and preserved so that generations can witness and experience something of this impressive people. This website is similarly dedicated to responsibly and accurately educating visitors about the Ancient Ones and, perhaps, stimulating some to explore this vanished culture more deeply.

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We made our way back home to the coach when Jim’s voicemail chimed. It was a message from the owner of the RV park stating that water was leaking from under our coach so he turned off the water. Once home we found that the coach was pretty flooded. Standing water on the linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom. The carpet in the bedroom and under the bed were soaking wet. The carpet in the living room was also soaked but hadn’t gotten to the cockpit area. What happened? Well, I didn’t empty the lint trap for the washer in weeks and weeks. When the washer was trying to drain it forced water through the lint trap compartment. We got the shop vac out and sucked up the water. The owner came over and loaned us his shop vac. The water had also gotten down into 2 basement compartments. Because under the bed was soaked as well, we had to leave the bed up so it could dry underneath. Jim went to the office to see if we could just rent a cabin for the night. He scoped it out and found out that it is too rustic. No bathroom, no heat, and no linens. We decided just to store the items from the basement in the cabin until it dried out. The owner's let us use the cabin at no charge. It was an hour and a half of cleaning up…..

We were to meet newly made friends Andy and Steve for lunch, which of course I had to cancel. Jim suggested salvaging the day. We headed to Cave of the Winds and took a tour of that. http://www.caveofthewinds.com/ excerpt:

The Very BEST in Colorado Caves! Cave of the Winds, a hidden jewel within Colorado Natural Attractions, literally makes your jaw drop in wonder and astonishment. These Colorado Caves feature geology and adventure rolled into one—a true, unique GeoVenture! Located in scenic hills above historic Manitou Springs, this Colorado Attraction is one of America’s most important show caves and a "must-see" for all Colorado Natural Attractions. Visitors have shared in the stunning beauty of Cave of the Winds for over a century. Early legends of the Jicarilla Apaches, who migrated through the Pikes Peak region around 1000 AD, tell of a cave in this area where the Great Spirit of the Wind resided. In the late 1800s, the modern era of Cave of the Winds began when two young brothers, George and John Pickett, stumbled onto these Colorado Caves. Just out for a day’s exploration with a church group, the boys never expected to stumble upon what would become one of America’s greatest show caves and a premier Colorado Natural Attraction!

Through the years, visitors have ventured to these Colorado Caves by foot, horse, carriage, car, and RV. But whether 100 years ago or today, a visit to Cave of the Winds enthralls the whole family with the magnificent wonders of our special underground world--making it the best in Colorado Natural Attractions! Bring your camera, your curiosity, and prepare to be awed while sharing this unique GeoVenture within these Colorado Caves with your entire family.

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The sights around here are phenomenal. There’s so much to see. The combined views of rocks and fauna are stunning. Make Colorado Springs a possible vacation destination.