Bluff is located where Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico come together and is part of what is known as the "four Corners" region. The town is surrounded by fabulous points of interest such as Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods. It is impossible to head down any side-road without seeing some geological wonder or Ancient Puebloan ruins.

A common interest in Caving, climbing, camping, canoeing, rafting, kayaking and hiking kept us friends for 30 years.

From right to left are John, Jim and Jerry.

We spent the week at the Recapture Lodge where for $80 per night we got a comfortable room with 3 beds & 3 breakfasts. I would highly recommend this motel as a place to stay.

We arrived in a windstorm as evidenced by the pink dust blowing across the desert in front of  this nearby  sandstone butte. 

Our purpose this week was to hike into the many Anasazi ruins located throughout the area.

John standing in front of "House on Fire" Ruin.

Below is the ruin with a little color enhancing to demonstrate where it gets it's name.

Just about every canyon reveals another abandoned dwelling.

Jerry Thompson taught science to my children at Mariner High School.

 The" Wolfman" ruin and pictograph panel.

Shown here is Comb Ridge which is typical of what we hiked through to arrive at the ruins and petroglyphs.

This is known as "Progression Panel" because it shows the individual members of the tribal clan.

Monarch Cave ruin and John Benson.

Hand drawn - no pun.

Driving out road 441 South of the San Juan River we came across this area of "Hoo Doo" formations. These should not be confused with an area of similar formations known as "Recapture Pocket" located North of the river.
That's John standing on top.

The ruin known as 16 room house is right next to the road and because of it's easy access was the only ruin we saw with painted graffiti.

The view from 16 room ruin.

Pictographs at Sand Island.

Below is Kokopelli who is usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player often with feathers or antenna protrusions on his head. Kokopelli is a deity that presides over both childbirth and agriculture.

After a week we part company and I pass by Mexican Hat on my way back to California.

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