Ancient Echoes: In the Footsteps of the Pueblos, Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Good morning, new day!

By the time the train returned to Durango, it was too late to drive to my campsite in the dark. I had known ahead of time that it was quite remote — just as I like it! So a rest area became home for the night.

Before I share my wonderful experience at Mesa Verde National Park, I want to introduce you to a magical place called Ancient Echoes at Kelly Place (https://www.kellyplace.com/).

It’s where the ancient past and the present hug each other, comforting your soul in the most peaceful, beautiful way. A place for solitude, wrapped in comfort and love.

Most people hear about this spot by word of mouth. I was lucky that Nikki and Barb insisted I come. They said, “Gila, you're going to love this place.” It’s beautiful how they know me so well.

With the permission of Celine and Ali, I get to share with you their magical creation.

If you are traveling to the Mesa Verde area, you might want to stay here. Lodging ranges from camping to hotel rooms.

I found myself slowing down in ways I didn’t expect. What began as three nights, turned into a week, simply because I didn’t want to leave. Time seems to stretch here, and the quiet gives me exactly the space I need to catch up on my writing.

Here is a funny story about how I found myself at a barn party.

I arrived at Ancient Echoes by early afternoon, set myself up, and enjoyed a lovely conversation with Celine. As I walked back to my campsite, I waved hello to my neighbors, and a short chat revealed that most of the guests this weekend were here for a party hosted by a neighbor next door. And when I say “next door,” I mean a mile away.

After a well-deserved shower, I set my stove on the picnic table when Celine drove by my site. She rolled her window down to say hi. I said, “Hi, I heard I am missing a party?” She laughed and answered, “No, you’re not. Just hop in!” I asked for two minutes to change, and this is how I found myself experiencing a western party in a beautiful barn.

I love being a witness to the different ways we all celebrate life. It was hard to fit in without the cowboy hat and boots, but at least I had on my jeans. :)

There, I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Anna, who is staying at Ancient Echoes as a volunteer, and Adin, Celine’s oldest son.

Mesa Verde National Park is vast. It consists of two main areas that are far apart from each other, making it too much to visit in just one day. The best way to explore Mesa Verde is by joining the tours that the park offers (booking in advance is recommended).

The main tours are:

• Long House on the Wetherill Mesa side (about an hour from the visitor center)

• Cliff Palace and Balcony House on the Chapin Mesa side (about 45 minutes from the visitor center)

I purchased tickets to Long House and Cliff Palace and chose to skip Balcony House at first, as it is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.

My usual process of writing is recording myself as I experience life. For that, I need solitude. Being part of a large tour group doesn’t allow me to fully immerse myself in expressing my experience.

So, as I sit at my picnic table surrounded by the beauty of Ancient Echoes, I use a few recording notes to guide me in sharing my thoughts and experiences.

I stand in awe at every dwelling community. I feel a profound reverence for the ancient Pueblo people — for their accomplishments and for their resilience in finding harmony between nature and survival. Yes, there is still so much we don’t know about their lives, but there is enough evidence to show us how people once lived together with a shared truth: that a thriving community can be built on trust, respect, and the understanding that we are all dependent on one another.

To witness such intricate structures, built from the few materials the land provided and still standing after 1,200 years, is beyond impressive. After all, we know for sure there is no Home Depot around the corner. :)

After visiting Long House and Cliff Palace, I felt the need to get closer to the history of Mesa Verde and decided to challenge myself with a tour to Balcony House. I am so glad I did, as it wasn’t as intimidating as the information had made it seem — for me anyway. When I learned that the tunnel you pass through is the original path the Pueblo people used, I wanted to feel like a Pueblo woman. I think I would be very happy living in this kind of landscape and environment.

At this point, Ancient Echoes at Kelly Place feels like home. By mid-week, most of the guests had already left. Celine, Adin, Anna, and later Jeannine, another returning volunteer, became part of my evenings. I looked forward to sharing my day and hearing about theirs…

I was very flattered when Celine invited me to join the delicious dinner Adin cooked. It is wonderful to feel part of a community.

Later in the week, Ali returned from a family visit, and I felt fortunate to get to know her and witness her contribution to this magical place. I always cherish being a witness to women’s power and the way they bring their truths into this universe.

When Celine introduced me to John at the party and mentioned he owned a winery just around the corner, I was puzzled. A winery here? This rugged landscape reminded me more of Utah than wine country. Curiosity led me to visit, and to my surprise, Sutcliffe Vineyards not only exists here but thrives.

I am far from being a wine expert, yet their white wine is a joy to drink (I am not a fan of red). I am not sure if it is the wine or the beauty of the land that surrounds it that leaves me feeling so relaxed. :)

Just down the road, the trailhead to the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument begins. Before the heat of the day can take away the pleasure of hiking, I set out to explore the Sand Canyon Trail. The energy on this trail is enormous. It’s impossible to separate the history of this place from the footprints I am leaving today. The silence here is a precious gift, holding past and present together in one deep breath.

The essence of Ancient Echoes is quite magical. One is the direct access to hiking trails that lead into the canyon straight from the property. Anywhere else, that might be the selling point, but for me, the most magical part is being able to go down into an ancient Kiva. Yes, it has been restored a bit for safety, yet it still carries an authentic feeling of history. The earthy smell of the soil can easily take you back in time.

I sit for a while, letting this incredible spiritual experience take hold of my soul. For over a thousand years, people have gathered in this very Kiva and lifted their prayers of love. I want to add mine — a prayer for love, peace, and joy for all mankind. A prayer for bravery, to hold together love and respect, guiding us all toward peace.