Day 30--Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes, late morning

For some unknown reason, the trip this morning from our motel to the Sand Dunes seemed much shorter. When we were racing the sun last night, it felt as though we would never arrive in time. Today, when we weren't in a hurry, no problem with time!

We discovered, on talking with one of the volunteers manning the desk at the Visitor's Center, that the sunset last night was not a common occurrence. We're still hoping to have a repeat performance tonight, but right now it's too soon to tell.

Medano Creek provides play space for many, young and old

Shallow Medano Creek runs along the base of the dunes, and it provides a great recreation location for those who visit. Many families come here to enjoy water and sand; only a few visitors cross the creek and venture up the dunes. That's what Smoky is doing right now, hiking up the dunes. Even though the sun is still almost directly overhead, he's hoping to get some photos showing the peaks and valleys of the dunes.

We tried to get up to Zapata Falls before lunch to see the view of the valley and dunes, but our little Prius started complaining just a few yards up the road, so we scratched that idea and returned to the picnic area. We'll have dinner at the Sand Dunes Lodge so we'll be ready for sunset.

Dunes taken during hike

On our way to the park this morning, Smoky reminded me that today was our last day in a National Park. We have another a week or so before we get back to Tennessee, but today is the last official park day. It is sad, but I think we are both ready to be home again.

Dunes closeup

Dunes and hikers

Dunes closeup

Just before Smoky set off on his dune hike, we reconnected with our friends Susie and Roger. We had missed them earlier this morning, and they were in the car heading back to Del Norte when Roger spotted our car at the picnic area this afternoon. It was quite a coincidence that they were planning to be at Sand Dunes the same time we were. We started our Western Adventure with them in Yellowstone, and we ended it with them today as well.

Strong wind blows sand on dunes

It is about 7 pm now. We had a tasty dinner (complete with homemade strawberry rhubarb pie and ice cream), and now we're parked near the Visitor's Center at a pull-off, waiting for sunset. The early evening light is casting great shadows on the dunes. The wind is blowing much stronger than last night. Smoky is hoping to catch the effect of the wind on top of the dunes. 

As the sun drops lower in the sky, the light on the dunes is lost. We drive closer to the park entrance, following the light. Soon we're at the same location where we were last night for sunset, and it is becoming more and more evident that tonight's performance will not rival last night's. So with a final shot or two, we pack up and head back for the motel.

Closeup of dunes

Evening light on dunes

Tonight's favorite sunset photo

Tomorrow is a long day of travel. We need to get to Dodge City for our B&B reservations and we lose an hour to the time change, so we may not have a chance to post anything tomorrow.

--Shann