Beyond Mesa Verde - Anasazi Ruins

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Here you will find some of my favorite places that I recommend while you are visiting the Bluff/Blanding area. Click on their names to link to their websites. You can also find all of these places on Facebook.
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WHEN THE SUN RISES ~
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Comb Ridge Coffee ~ Located just across the street from the Desert Rose this is the place to be first thing in the morning. They have the best Chai Latte I have ever had. Here you may run into many interesting people from the area and maybe even get some "tips" on some of the ruins from them. You will find me in here around 8 am enjoying my chai every time I am down in Bluff.
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GREAT PLACE FOR GRUB ~
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Twin Rocks Cafe ~ what can I say about this mainstay of Bluff. This place has so much history, I just can't even begin to tell it all here. You will find many locals and great food at this "hub" of the town.
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WHEN THE BLUFF SUN SETS TO THE WEST ~
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Desert Rose Inn ~ Located at the west edge of the historic town of Bluff. The all wood structure built with it's massive timbers will excite your senses. Set against the red bluffs and bold blue skies of the little town of Bluff, you will never forget the experience of witnessing an irridescent sunset from the porch of the Desert. Rose Inn.
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GUIDES -

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Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau (6th Edition) - Michael R. Kelsey

I've worn out 2 copies on the trails already and am now on my 3rd one. This book is a MUST!

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A Hiking Guide to Cedar Mesa - Peter Francis Tassoni

This is a decent backup guide if you can't get your hands on the Michael R. Kelsey book above.

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RELATED WRITINGS
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House of Rain - Craig Child

I have read this book 3 times now...and it is still inspiring to me. This is one of the best books written on the Anasazi...not so much for it's technical content...but for the great adventure that Craig Child leads you through on his explorations. You will feel you are right there with him in the canyons. I highly recommend this book !

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In Search of the Old Ones - David Roberts

A great book to get you started on your own quest of the ruins.

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Sandstone Spine - David Roberts

Here is David's account of his traverse of Comb Ridge. Interesting and glad that I read it, but it would be last on my list of recomendations......it is not in the same league as his "In Search of the Old Ones"
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A LITTLE HISTORY -

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Cowboys and Cave Dwellers - Fred Blackburn & Ray Williamson

This is my all time favorite, but it is for someone who has more than a casual interest in the ruins.

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RELATED NOVELS -

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Thunderhead - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

If you want to read a book that will make you feel that you are on an expedition looking for a ruin in Utah's remote canyon country - this is it. Loved this one.

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A Thief of Time - Tony Hillerman

Tony's mystery mixing murder with those "nasty pot hunters". Very light reading, but enjoyable.

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.....For those of you who wish to expand your knowledge on a much wider spectrum. I would like to direct you to the site Anasazi Adventure. It deals with many of the different cultures of America’s Ancient southwest including the Ancestral Puebloans ("Anasazi"), Fremont, Sinagua, Hohokam, Mimbres and others,. This site is maintained by Eric Skopec. Ph.D.
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.....Mr. Skopec is a retired professor, consultant, and author of many books and publications. He has spent more than 25 years studying the Ancestral Puebloans. His web site is a great resource for the ruins throughout the whole of the southwest. Here you can find trip planners, visitor guides, travel advisories and current archeological news. http://www.anasaziadventure.com/

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