Great Sand Dunes National Park


Noël and I took a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
 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 aspens 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 beomes delerious.	Noel says she  has found the  way. I fear she  has lost too  much water, and 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.
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.