I'm an adventurous soul on a mission to explore all 63 national parks. My passion lies in crafting short stories and sharing personal photographs that capture the essence of these remarkable journeys. Through my words and images, I strive to convey...
Another school year in the books, another road trip!
Off to Colorado! Note to self, never book a tour the same day as arriving. Even though it all worked out, the stress of leaving Newark, which is always delayed, should have been a warning. After landing, we hustled through the airport to grab our bags, our car, and then took a train ride up to Pikes Peak. It was a wild mix of weather—sun, rain, hail, and wind—as we approached the summit.
We had donuts in the sky at 14,115 feet. I'm all for unique experiences, but this donut shop at the visitor center was nothing to brag about. It didn't taste very good, but I guess I can say I tried one.
Back down at the car, the trailhead for the Manitou Incline was right next to where we parked. I stretched my legs and got some exercise. The steep incline felt good after sitting on a plane, in a car, and on a train. The Manitou Incline is hailed as the holy grail of cardio for locals and athletes alike. The once-railroad track now consists of approximately 2,744 steps made entirely of railroad ties!
For dinner, we ate at Gray's Coors Tavern, known for the birthplace of the slopper—an open-faced burger smothered with green chili, typically topped with onions and french fries. It was one of my Food Network finds. Yum!
The next day, I had a tour booked with Mountain Master Off Road. We hopped in the jeep with our tour guide, Chris, who was incredibly informative. He took us through the back roads of Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America, with Star Dune and Hidden Dune towering at 741 feet from base to summit. Founded as a National Monument in 1932, the area became a National Park in 2004. The park is located in the San Luis Valley, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west. Navigating this type of terrain was tricky, so I'm glad we had someone else behind the wheel. It was fun to drive through water and up and over rocks. I was glad to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride without being behind the wheel.
At the end of the tour, we got out at Medano Creek. We walked through the water and onto the sand dunes. Watching the sand flow down the hills was so neat. This was a fun way to explore the park. We even saw a short-horned lizard! It kind of looked like Bowser from Super Mario Brothers. It was such a cool sight and a great end to an adventurous day.
Next up, Mesa Verde! It's so fun to plan vacations around a goal to see all 63 national parks. Each trip is a new adventure, filled with unique experiences and unforgettable memories.
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