Four Corners Monument (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah)

An interesting roadside attraction to visit if you find yourself driving through Southwestern Colorado, Northwestern New Mexico, Southeastern Utah, or Northeastern Arizona is Four Corners Monument, a sight to behold, as it is the only place in the country where 4 states intersect. When visiting the Four Corners monument, you will have the opportunity to stand in all 4 states at the same time. Although there is not much to actually do in the area besides photographing the monument and browsing through Native American crafts, it’s one of those unique things to do just to say that you did it.

You can stand in each state separately or in the middle of the marker, which is the technical spot where all 4 states meet. During your visit, you are bound to see people doing all sorts of crazy poses to get their hands and feet within all 4 states at the same time (back handstands, down on their hands and knees, etc.). One of the best photos is a group of 4 each standing in a different state or a couple each planting their feet in 2 different states. Regardless, while standing in line waiting your turn, it is quite entertaining to watch the creative ways everyone is taking their photos. The line is long too we ended up waiting 45 minutes and in the desert make sure to bring an umbrella help get you out of the sun. Sign posted also says limit of 3 photos only to keep the line moving faster so think of those poses while in line.

While I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Four  Corners, it’s a cool thing to say you’ve done. I'm always saying I wish I could be in more than one place at once and since seeing "A Walk to Remember" when Landon takes Jamie to the state line, I thought it was the sweetest thing ever! I've wanted to go and say I've been in four places at once!!

Tips

*Fill up your tank well ahead of reaching the monument as there are no gas stations around and the next is at least a 30 minute drive. Also use the restroom at this time if needed.

*Bring with a water bottle and snacks. Driving in this desolate area of the country, restaurants are few and far between.

*Be aware that the National Parks Pass is not valid at this attraction.

*Bring with a camera in order to take your photograph by the monument.


*Bring sunscreen and an umbrella.

*Bring with plenty of cash if you plan on buying Native American crafts. Prices can add up quickly and most vendors do not accept credit/debit cards.

Address, Pricing, and Hours

Location: 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, NM 86514

Pricing: $5 per person they say cash not accepted on the website but we paid with VISA, I think it speeds the line up to pay cash so that's why they prefer it.

Hours: Friday of Memorial Weekend – Sept. 15: 8:00am – 8:00pm
September 16 – October 31: 8:00am – 6:00pm
November 01- March 31: 8:00am – 5:00pm
April 1 – May – Thursday before Memorial Weekend: 8:00am – 7:00pm

*Park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year’s

Mesa Verde, CO Moorefield Camping

Mesa Verde is a 6 hour drive down from Denver. We left after I got off work at 3 pm so we ended up getting in alittle after midnight and were worried we wouldn't have much to pick from at the Morefield Campground, 4 miles inside the park gate.

Once we arrived we stopped are the trading post and found our name taped to the window with our tag to add to a site of our picking and a map. When we got more into the campground it was really spread out and weren't really sure what we were getting into but we finally picked a site on the UTE Loop and couldn't have been happier with the site when we woke up in the morning. We had a gorgeous view of a couple mountains and deer feeding outside our tent by our picnic table.

Multiple bathrooms around the campground so you didn't have to walk far and they were lite all night long. Also had heavy duty garbage containers to keep bear out. Showers were at the trading post which was within walking distance but we ended up driving over when we needed to shower it was kind of far away and didn't want to walk back with wet flip flops.

Camping fee was $30 a night and an additional fee for the park pass to get in was $20 so it was really reasonable the only downfall was that we couldn't have a campfire but that wasn't the campgrounds fault. Colorado has been really dry and to be expected mid summer to have a fire ban.

Later that day we about 18 miles further into the park to the cliff dwellings and they were incredible. My family went a few years back without me, I had to work :(. So I had only seen pictures which didn't really intrigued me to want to drive down. But I'm glad we finally did it. You won't be disappointed if you have never seen them.

One of the things I didn't realize is you have to buy tickets to take a tour of the cliff dwellings they sell them at the museum right before entering into the cliff palace so just keep that in mind. It was amazing to think this was carved by our ancestors years ago. The hike to get up to the dwellings was intense hard to know what they were thinking or how they picked/ended up in this area.

Has anyone else gone to Mesa Verde? What was your favorite part?

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park CO

Stanley Hotel

I'm sure if you've seen the movie The Shining you are aware of the famous Stanley Hotel. The hotel is located in Estes Park, CO which is a beautiful, fun little town to visit. Our tour started with the history of Estes Park and the hotel and then we went through the hotel. We're told of several encounters in a few of the rooms and things that are seen in the hallways. After the tour we captured a few unexplainable pictures so based off what we saw I would saw the Stanley Hotel is haunted but recommend you experience it for yourself.

This picture theirs something to the left but I can't make out what it is.

This lady wasn't on our tour so I thought it was a neat she showed up.

If you've had any experiences please leave your comments I'd love to read them. ;)