It appears that part of the grand plan for this trip is to expose all of my weaknesses to my kids. 😁. Anyway, Zachary learned about Mesa Verde National Park and wanted to visit.  It was a bit of a hassle to get in because our RV exceeds the max length to go into the park.  We rented a car in Cortez and J drove the RV and I drove the car up to Mesa Verde.  The RV park was right across the highway from the Visitor center so once we were checked in I ran across with kids to get Jr. Ranger stuff and tickets to tour a cliff dwelling.  I did my homework on this one and knew that we for sure wanted to do at least one ranger led your and that tour could be any tour EXCEPT Balcony house. As you may have guessed, the ONLY tour they were running the day we were there is Balcony House. (Damnit!!) Zoe really wanted to do it.  I really didn’t.  Jason was back on the RV working so I was torn.  I told the ranger I would be back…  Did I mention that I REALLY didn’t want to do Balcony House???  A huge mob of people came in after I got out of line and I panicked that we wouldn’t get any tickets if I didn’t hustle.  I bit the bullet and bought 5 figuring I could always bail later.  We picked J up and back into the park we went.  The drive was moderately stressful because it looked like sheer cliffs off of the side and that is exactly what stresses me out!  The first place we stopped for lunch was out of just about everything so we went up to the top.  Right by a self guided tour spot that would be an easy walk!  Unable to sway the kids to just do this one, we were off to the balcony house 😁😁😁The ranger have a very clear description of the hike and the need to climb a 32 foot ladder while having the view to 600 feet below on the canyon floor.  Seriously!  I gave Zoe my jacket and got the keys from Jason (who was now driving because he knew I wasn’t loving the drive up).  My new plan was to nap in the car while they went on the tour.  I couldn’t do it!  Looking like a chicken in front of my kids is low on my list so I ran up and caught them.  It was very cool and I am glad I went on the tour.  With that said I was quite nervous the whole time.  Especially when Logan fell a few feet from ending up in a kiva!  Anyway, I survived.  And I didn’t cry (another woman was crying going up the ladder).  So I kind of win.  But my kids totally knew I was nervous 😁 When we got back we went in the hot tub while kids played putt putt.  Then they joined us for a few.  We got out just before lightning started.  Kids watched Different Strokes for a bit while we tried to plan our next day.