Noël and I took a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
The dunes rest at the foot of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo range.
It was a five hour drive there on I-25, but on the way back we took the more
scenic U.S. 285 through Leadville. It was a fun trip, but unfortunately we missed the aspen change color.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Spanish Peaks near Walsenburg. |
Blanca Peak | The dunes! | ||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Sand Dunes Natl. Park | Crestones behind the dunes | I set up our desert fortress. | The view behind us. | The dunes call from our campsite |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| We soon become lost. Noël becomes delirious. |
Noel
says she has found the way. I fear she has lost too much water. I abandon her. |
The bright sun sears my eyes as I ascend. |
All is lost until... | I see a way out! |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
| It turns out the dunes are easy to escape. | I plan my retreat. |
The sun sets in disgust at my escape. |
I follow a tiny trail back to the campsite. |
Reunited! Against all odds, Noël fought off thirst and a particularly nasty kangaroo mouse to survive. Artist's rendition of event. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Driving home through the San Luis valley | Near Buena Vista | Leadville, the highest city (not town) in the U.S. at 10,200 ft. | ||
 |
 |
 |
||
| Mt Elbert, highest mountain in CO. | Driving past the Climax mine at Fremont pass on the way home. |
