My favorite place on the journey to Big Sky, Montana was Mesa Verde, located in the southwest corner of Colorado.  I am not sure just how I got connected with this as a child, but I remember seeing pictures and I was fascinated and quite curious.  I wanted to crawl around and explore!  Finally I had the opportunity to visit there.  Come, enter this place with me…

We were told the journey down into the cliff dwellings would be strenuous, especially in 90 plus degree temperatures.  My adventurous side proclaimed loudly, “You have to do this!”  It was only an hour trip.  How could I not do it?  If you look closely in the photo below, you will see at the very top of the cliff  a group of persons standing.  That is where we began out descent into the Cliff Palace.

Down we trekked by narrow stone steps into the dwelling which 800 years ago was bustling with activity.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we were able to walk amidst the ancient village.  It was so awesome!

At one point we were invited to one by one peek into a narrow doorway, threshold into a room where an entire family would have lived.  The original wooden beams have allowed scientists to discern that construction spanned from AD 1209 through AD 1280.  Average life expectancy for males was 35, and females 25.  Family members were most likely buried in the same room.  Imagine that your roots were present beneath you, the strength of your ancestry!

My heart was drawn toward the circular area called the Kiva…

The Kiva was a gathering place for ceremonial and social times.  There was a place for a firepit, and the Kiva was submersed to protect the fire from the wind.  A chimney-like shaft drew in fresh air.  A small hole in the floor called a sipapu was believed to symbolize the entryway for the saints of their ancestry.  In my heart and mind I related this to our sacrament of Holy Communion where we believe that we experience the communion of the saints.  Although it is mysterious and beyond our full comprehension, we do believe this meal is something we share together both in this world and the next.  As I stood before the Kiva, I felt this.  I encountered a unity with these people of 800 years ago.  It was a powerful moment. I could have crawled into that Kiva with them!

The journey back to the top was a bit more strenuous than the journey down.

For a brief moment in time I felt like I was a part of this ancient community.  I loved it!  I am so grateful.

nk