Gettin’ Groggy in Cortez, CO

Home of Mesa Verde! Mesa Verde National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) As a kid, I remember running through the Cliff Palace and Balcony House, we could climb the ladders, jump down into the kivas and sit on the brick walls – it was great fun! As an adult, it is still awesome to visit Mesa Verde but you must have reservations with timed entries. Mesa Verde National Park Tours, Mesa Verde National Park – Recreation.gov You can still climb in and out of the dwellings via those same old ladders and take pictures galore but a ranger will accompany you and your small group through the sites. Rangers have a ton of knowledge and like it or not, you will get an education about the ruins (something we didn’t get as kids). Change is difficult and emotional, I have fond childhood memories of the days we had Mesa Verde all to ourselves, but more so, I would rather keep this special place intact. I believe that this extraordinary archeological site should be shared with everyone and also respected by everyone who visits. Given the masses of people that visit Mesa Verde NP (and our “footprint” on the land, water, air, plants and animals) I’m glad its being taken care of by dedicated rangers and it has the state conservation and federal protection acts that preserve these sacred cliffs and 700 year old ancestral pueblos – the likes of which don’t exist anywhere else in the world!

So after a day in Mesa Verde, sure you can have dinner and drinks at Far View Lodge but why not head into Cortez to WildEdge Brewing Collective, for some excellent BEER! WildEdge Brewing Collective | cortez | 111 North Market Street, Cortez, CO, USA Open 3-9pm every day except Monday, this is a great brew house with great beer and super nice guys that run the place, such as TUCKER who was an archeologist, and is now the head brew guru and owner of WildEdge. The other owners are are Doug, an orthopedic surgeon in Cortez and Jon, some guy who lives in the Vermont wilderness – talk about a “collective” – these guys have put together some seriously interesting and delicious home made beers such as (my favorite) “Noctivagant”, a dark chocolate and coffee stout with a hint of leather OR “Busted Mower”, a saison with a pinch of pineapple OR “Juniperus”, a pale ale brewed with a skosh of Juniper… SHUT the front brew pub door! WildEdge also serves wine and ciders and some delicious snacks such as their version of Chex Mix (with wasabi beans)… perfect compliment to my Noctivagant!

Juniperus Scopulorum – As a kid, do you remember playing catch in your front yard and reaching into that scratchy cobweb infested juniper bush to get the baseball out? Now that same JUNIPER bush flavors our craft brew… try the Juniperus Pale Ale at WildEdge – its pretty GOOD (although you may wonder why you want to scratch your arms when you drink it)!!