Great Sand Dunes National Park

"So IT was: pick any or all of the following adjectives: awesome, spectacular, stunning, beautiful, spiritual. I could go on and on and think of more. But it was one of those experiences that will stay with me forever. And hopefully I'll have equally great pictures to look at over and over.

It was also surreal being there as the sun set just to the left of the imposing San Juan Mountains while the moon and Jupiter [it did appear all of a sudden about 10 minutes after we talked] shone brightly over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains behind me.

It was windy and chilly and I had the whole place pretty much to myself. How incredible was that? I passed people coming off the sand as I was heading out but there was no one else I could see ahead of me. There were people higher up on the dunes, I gather, since I could see flashlights shining. Or maybe the lights didn't belong to humans? It's that kind of place as it gets dark.

I walked about 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile toward the closest of the real high sand dunes. I kept taking pictures of the sunset, of the footprints all over the sand, of spaces of small ripples of sand totally surrounded by footprints but not a single one in the middle.

And then I turned around and realized if I didn't head back soon, I'd be out there with no idea where the path to the parking lot was! And I could see creatures scurrying around on the sand! What were they? I have no idea. And I decided I better get back. And besides, where was my flashlight but in the glove compartment!

It wasn't easy walking on the sand for me. Anything other than hard sand is not very good for my back. But this experience was worth any pain. And then it seemed darker all of a sudden. And I had to peer down and follow what I thought were the footprints.

Quite an experience! My oh my it was one of those true National Park experiences! And when you guys get out here, there's an incredible motel/lodge just outside the entrance to the park that has awesomely perfect views of the dunes! I immediately thought of Goulding's and you when I saw it. Another visit here and that would be the place to stay.

And one more thing, on the way out on the access road there was only one car in front of me that I eventually passed and only four going into the park. Speed limit 65 on an almost perfectly straight line once out of the park to the main highway. Well some small creature darted out in front of the car and never made it to the other side. And I think all the pieces have worn off my tires by now." - G. Bertrand