Even though we didn’t have plans for a huge trip this summer, we feel the impending overseas move and want to see and experience as much of Colorado as we can before we leave, so we started the summer off with a trip to the Great Sand Dunes over Memorial Day weekend.
Driving down into the valley and coming up on the first view of the dunes is incredible. They are such a dramatic contrast to the surrounding mountains and look like a giant’s sandbox.
I have never been and Mike hasn’t visited since he was a kid. We rented the sandboards and made our way to the top of the nearest dune. I didn’t believe him when he warned us to keep our shoes on as we walked, but he was right! Even in the shade, the sand was hot enough to burn.
We spent several hours trying to figure out the best way to use the sandboards. We figured out that we shouldn’t wax the bottoms after every single ride after all (as we were specifically instructed), but instead after every two or three rides. Otherwise the wax made the boards stick.
I didn’t mind much as I wasn’t there to set any speed records, but enjoyed watching the kids squeal on their way down!
After we were hot and sweaty and sandy, we walked back to Medano Creek that runs through the dunes. Another hour or two were spent happily splashing in the cold water, and wow did we get a lot of sand in the nether regions of our suits!!
We showered off as best we could in the public changing area and finally, finished the day off at the final of three natural attractions: Zapata Falls. We spent a happy hour hiking up through forests and wading over slippery rocks into a rock crevasse, where the falls tumbled down a mountainside overlooking the dunefield. Unfortunately, the final bit into the crevasse was so slippery and steep that only Mike went in, while the kids and I waited for him outside. His pictures prove it was a dramatic sight!
We drove home that night happy, tired, a little sunburnt, and ready for whatever new adventures the summer would bring.
