When we went out there in '93, it was right about the time of the Hantavirus scare in the Four Corners. People were cancelling their reservations en masse at the parks and towns, and we were able to sweep up some primo accommodations, especially at Mesa Verde ! ;-)
I remember all that hantavirus stuff! We were there in '89. It has been WAY too long since ... I would love to go back.
Oh, how nice you had the Four Corners to yourselves! There were deer all over the place at Mesa Verde!
Not to mention the omnipresent turkey vulture!