Today was a little shorter. I started the day by riding back to Natural Bridges National Monument and went for a couple mile hike down the canyon to view three natural bridges. Then a quick 40 minutes over to Blanding, UT for fuel. From there I headed to Mesa Verde National Park. This park mostly closes after Labor Day but you can still get in. Everything is shut. Ranger Stations, Museums and Concessions. On the upside, you are free to explore and hardly anyone is here. After setting up camp I went to tour the park enjoying many overlooks. The highlight of my day was a rugged 4 mile hike along the lip of the mesa which allowed for views of ancient pueblo cliff dwellings and a few petroglyphs. I had it all to myself as the setting sun cast wonderful light across the canyon. It was getting dark when I got back to my bike and it was a brisk, very windy and exposed, fifteen mile ride back to camp where I cooked some rice and beans for dinner.