US550 is the most direct route to get us to Mesa Verde. Never mind all those warning signs telling truckers to select an alternate route!  Ignore the icky weather; it intermittently pours and as we find out later, that translates into sleet at the elevations we are heading for.  Here we go.

The climb to and passage through three high passes makes for beautiful views: Red Mountain at 11,075ft, Molas at 10,910 and Coal Bank at 10,640.  The real adrenaline rush comes from the fact that the road surface runs right up to the edge of the earth.  Really, just outside my window it went straight down hundreds of feet (seemed like thousands to me).   Every now and then the pavement has a bit of a dip and the edge seems even closer.  Once again, thank you to my highly talented driver.  It was a great ride. We are safely settled into Mancos State Park and ready to explore Mesa Verde National Park.