Tuesday August 4, Great Sand Dune National Park Campground, CO

Another magical campsite, sitting outside in the early evening sun, looking across to the rolling dunes, with the late sun creating huge shadows as it sinks behind. Somehow feel as though we have been transported into the Sahara. Arrived about 5pm and not that many campsites available, so found a spot, and will explore early in the morning.

Hopefully after a better nights sleep, last night wasn’t the best and read that the high altitude can cause insomnia. Tonight we are down to about 8,000 feet!

Turquoise lake was glorious this morning, the calm water reflecting the snow capped mountains. We talk a walk through the pines and along the lake, before we left, a great start to the day. I have fallen in love with the wildflowers, there seem to be so many varieties and they seemed to be in abundance under the trees.

The road south to Salida followed the Arkansas river, a very clear fast moving river dropping quite quickly over boulders. The road was lined with rafting companies, and heard from one of the guides that this is the most used piece of rafting water in the US, and it got to Grade 4. We watched as groups passed by, having a blast.

Had a walk around the town of Buena Vista, very pleasant and enjoyed meeting the people in a co-operative gallery, certainly seems to be some great artists in the area

The country is very arid with lots of boulders, and the remnants of mining. Salida is an old mining town, that has preserved its heritage buildings and has real charm, and the arid hills rise not far from the main street. Enjoyed walking around, another town that has a great art base.

Decided to head south for the Sand Dunes, the afternoon had got very hot with quite a wind. The drive through the San Luis Valley though would not be classed as one of our favourites, about 40 miles of a dead flat, straight road through real desert like conditions of sage bushes and stones, and lots of “dead vehicles” in the paddocks!

Obviously there is a black bear problem in the park, as each campsite has a bear proof iron box for campers to stow their supplies rather than in tents, and warning signs are everywhere…thank goodness for Ruakiwi. Would love to see one though!