How much does that tripod weigh? – Day 36 (3304 miles)

We have been visiting family in Colorado for many years, previously on road trips via other states and we’ve actually not seen that much of Colorado itself.  Not so surprising considering just this state alone is approximately 17,ooo square miles larger than the whole of mainland UK (what do you mean did I Google that fact?)!

We headed down to the Great Sand Dunes NP which is in the South East corner of the state for a couple of nights camping, we had heard the scenery is pretty spectacular as the park is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo mountains and also includes the highest sand dunes in the USA.

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Some days we still underestimate the toll that the altitude here (8,200 ft above sea level) plus the temperature which is over 30c most days, takes on us.  We set up camp and set off to walk to the visitors centre, it was only 1.6 miles up and down a bit of a hill but in the afternoon sun it was a bit of a slog.  The coolest room in the visitors centre was set out for a TV presentation, perfect we thought, sit here for a bit and watch an information film while cooling off.  In breezes a young, eager park ranger who announces the start of a 45 minute art class to create our interpretation of the sand dunes!  We were so hot we stuck it out just to cool down.  No need to comment on the results thank you.

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Next morning we were up at 5.30am to walk the 699 ft  to the top of the dunes for what promised to be a worthwhile view in the early morning sun.  How hard could it be?  Well, understandably John wanted to get the best pics he could but the effort of carrying the tripod, cameras etc. kind of shows….

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imageIntrepid explorer

I think John would have done without the tripod if he had realised how hard it would be to walk in that much sand but saying that he got some great photos.

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imageThat’s me!

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And more…..

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imageWe’re eating well

imageLoving the sand!

A little footnote to Sylvia, Andrea and Gus, we really enjoyed our chats with you all, wish we’d taken your photo!  Wishing you all happy travels on this trip and those to come.

Adios for nowxxx