Spruce Tree Pueblo at Mesa Verde
By Brandon Velivis

We were filled with anticipation as we viewed Spruce Tree Pueblo from the steep path across the canyon. The site to me was awe-inspiring. As we trekked down the steep and winding path, images of how these ancient people managed to get around flashed through my mind. The grass and small cottonwood trees gave an effect of being in a forest. Yet the yucca plants reminded us that we were in the desert. Upon entering the cliff dwelling our eyes feasted on the ancient structures. Amazingly, we were in an alcove of the cliff, close to 50 feet up from the bottom of the cliff. This site presented itself as a small, self-contained city. I walked around the ancient dwelling imaging the people who would have lived there. Then, realizing that I was in the 21st century, I talked with the ranger who was preparing a mortar mix. He told me that some damage had happened to the ventilation wall of the underground kiva the previous day and that they were repairing it. I realized that even though these structures have survived so many years through rain and wind and heat, yet they are so fragile that a human could easily destroy them by chance.When I peeked with curiosity at the underground kiva, the ranger picked up on my curiosity and told me it would be okay to put my head down through the hole to see. The sight I saw cannot be described using words. However, the experience was breathtaking. It was like entering a whole new world.

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