Salida to Great Sand Dunes National Park: a Photoblog

We left Salida early to climb 7 miles from 7,000ft to 9,000 ft through Poncha Pass. Rugged mountains, a lush valley, aspen groves, and big sky. Down into the San Luis Valley for hours of complete nothingness on endless roads towards Great Sand Dunes National Park, which never seemed to get any closer. The Rockies stood on both sides of the long narrow valley.

Pulled into camp to be greeted by mosquito friends and the horribly annoying no-see-ums.

Ate a grand meal of spaghetti noodles, ground beef (bought from a roadside restaurant’s fridge), tomatoes, and green beans (?).

Sat and watched the sun go down over the far edge of the valley.

Stars. So many.

And then today, we rode to Antonito, CO–population=few. There are two landmarks: the oldest church in Colorado and a castle of recycled material made by a Native-American Vietnam veteran.

Today, we passed the 2,500 milestone for our trip. A little less than 1,000 to go.

Tonight, we have an event in Alamosa, CO with a group of art students at a local college.

Tomorrow we ride on to New Mexico.

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