Great Sand Dunes National Park, 9.9.17

On Saturday morning we headed for Great Sand Dunes National Park.  Going east on Highway 50 we had about a 3 hour and 40 minute drive ahead of us.   Three dams were built in the 70’s for flood control along the Gunnison River making the Curecanti National Recreation Area.  This area looked interesting, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to stop.  We passed the towns of Cimmaron, Gunnison, and Saguache. Finally, as we neared Great Sand Dunes, we stopped for lunch at the only available restaurant, The Oasis.   It was also a store and a gas station.  For twenty dollars you could  rent a board to slide down the dunes.   I considered the idea, but decided to forgo the experience. I knew Frank would definitely not want one either. He hates sand.

 

It is hard to understand how so much sand forms in front of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  There are over 30 square miles of dunes.  The strong winds,  the creek water,  and the mountains  have worked together to keep the sand dunes here for over 440,000 years!

Several folks were sand boarding down the dunes.  We watched a boy who was about 8 or 9 slide down the dune where we were standing.     He looked just like he was sledding but without the snow.    Our grandkids would have loved it!

After our visit to the High Dune, we decided to spend the night in Alamosa, which is the nearest town about 20 miles south of the park.   We had quite a time finding a restaurant.  We finally stopped at a steak house that had a John Wayne theme.   It was the slowest place ever!  It took well over 20 minutes just to get our drinks!   Later that night, I read on Trip Advisor  several reviews stating what we learned the hard way.   As we got back into our car after our two hour meal, Frank commented “Well, we’re never going to that place again!”  What a comedian!

In spite of our not so swell dinner experience, we did complete our third and last national park in Colorado!   Off to Colorado Springs tomorrow!