We visited this ancient pueblo, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited place in the country, dating back to about 1100 in this location atop a mesa that sits 370 feet above the desert floor. Once occupied by some 2000, today there are only about 35 people who live in the more than 500 homes still there. Some of the other homes are used by artists who make and sell their beautiful pottery. Accessible only by foot hole paths until 1959, the entire pueblo, as well as a 21,000 square foot adobe mission complex overseen by a Franciscan Friar in 1629, was accomplished by hauling building materials up and down that path. The people also farmed the fields below, and raised cattle, again needing the paths to come and go. We were shuttled up by bus, and after our tour, and seeing the beautiful pottery made by these people following their native customs, we were offered three options for getting back. The road to walk, the original pathway, or the bus. Well, you know what I chose! Clem was more inclined to ride the bus, but I kept pushing, saying if the other couple could do it, he could. Well, about 4 couples ended up doing it, and we bonded on the way down!! Steep, and at one point a tad spooky, it was a life experience! We cannot fathom these people doing this over and over, let alone carrying things up. We were told that the rafters of the mission, which were huge, were never allowed to touch the ground, or they could not be used. How they managed that, we will never know!
I have photos of the walk down....as much as I could manage when I could let go!......as well as more of the pueblo, but connection is very slow, so will post later in the gallery.
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