THE GREAT SAND DUNES

Sunday after church we took a day trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. 

From 2013-09-29

No we are not at the ocean.  We are in Colorado near the Sangre de Cristos mountain range.  We were blessed as we made it to the National Park before the government shut down.  It is very deceiving how close the Sand Dunes appear as we could see them at least 40 miles away.  The dunes are such a contrast from the surrounding landscape. 

From 2013-09-29

These huge dunes (North America's tallest) are about 11 percent of a 330 square mile deposit of sand. (Information from the brochure).  It seems like you

From 2013-09-29

From 2013-09-29

From 2013-09-29

drive and drive and drive before you get to the park.  Then you drive a ways until you get to the Visitor's Center where they provide a film about seasonal cycles and how it affects the flora and wildlife.  Next comes a drive to a parking lot at the edge of the dunes where you have to walk a distance to the Medano Creek that runs along side the dune area. 

From 2013-09-29

There is no bridge crossing the creek.  Today it was puddle jumping.  Apparently in the spring the creek is much higher, but still crossable.  We happen to choose a day that was not too hot and very little wind which made a very pleasant day.  Hopefully, the pictures will give you some concept of the distance to arrive just at the first hill.  

From 2013-09-29

From 2013-09-29

From 2013-09-29

The small dots are people who made it much farther that us.  One couple looked like they were going to make it to the top.  I used my walking sticks which really made a difference.  We made it to the top of the first hill and watched youngster slide down the sand dunes using cardboard and many other devices.  They were having fun!! 

From 2013-09-29

This is a view of snow capped mountains we saw on our trip that day.

From 2013-09-29