Treats or Dia de Los Muertos

Little ones in costumes love this holiday...who wouldn't with all that candy being handed out! Parents also indulge in strange get-ups.

I'm happy to wear my favorite witching hat once a year!

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is also celebrated by many of us with Hispanic heritage...or not.

It's a great time of year to remember our dear loved ones who have died.

Anasazi Murals at the Museum of Canyon of the Ancients

 After parking, I walk along the entrance walkway, only to see real archaeological sites right here outside.

 Turning the other way I see the valley leading to Cortez from Delores CO.

Once inside, I'll see this map of the area...the greyish area is the territory upon which the Museum of the Canyon of the Ancients covers, next to Lake Delores...upper right side of map.  Though the Canyon of the Ancients extends into Utah, the designated area is only on the Colorado side.

 The outside of the Museum of the Canyon of the Ancients follows a similar architecture to the indigenous peoples.

Signs outside start the mood for looking at ancients.

This is the site which is preserved by the Museum.

 What drew me here was the information that murals from a kiva had been saved and were on display in this museum.  Here's one (unfortunately there's glare on the glass which covers it.)

 I had had no idea what a mural from a kiva might look like.  Some lines in plaster apparently.

 I gladly joined other tourists in viewing the movie about the sites...and now wish I'd gone back and watched it a second time after viewing all the artifacts.

 The movie introduced some of the information about the sites...and the indigenous peoples who had been here long before the current tribes.

I found it interesting that there were murals painted over and over each other.

My bowls with rims

Well, rims that protrude horizontally, that is, and provide a place to carve a bit of design.

 1. Smallest of the three, a perfect spiral in the center...

 Next size (2) is deeper with a center with concentric lines.

 2. on table, 1 on windowsill.

 3. deeper yet, with a simple concentric ring on bottom.

 and there they are, 1, 2 and 3 from left to right.

 The nutmeg and celadon glaze on white clay break nicely on the carved leaves

 and yes, they do nest nicely also!

Inspiration from ancient pottery

Museum of the Canyon of the Ancients, in Delores CO

And so on to the next vacation photos...soon on Mesa Verde!