(Finally got decent internet connections – updated post with pics)
Our next stop after Amarillo was a dot on the map called Mosca, CO. Mosca is home to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
We stayed at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis – just one mile outside of the park. We made the drive down the 13 mile road to the park with some trepidation – would this stop be a bust? There didn’t appear to be anything around, and then , all of a sudden, there they were – the Great Sand Dunes climbing 750 feet in the air.
As we pulled into our site, we marveled at the view – to one side were the Santa Cristo Mountains to the other these amazing sand dunes and straight in front of us a prairie that stretched for miles and miles as far as the eye could see. The kids were mesmerized – by the “All you can eat” ice cream social sign – we’d made it just in time.
We spent the following morning hitting the dunes. For our Jersey Shore friends, this is a little like hiking the Wildwood Beaches at a 75 degree angle.
Jeff and Colin made it to the top, the girls and I stopped about 3/4 of the way up. People were using sleds to come down the dunes – it was a sight to see.
After a nice lunch and some relaxation at the camper we went down the road a bit to see Zapata Falls – a thirty foot waterfall. We hiked the 1/2 mile to the entrance of the Falls and walked in the 55 degree water through a cave to see the mouth of the Falls – it was a refreshing change from all the Texas heat and the hot sands of the dunes.
I honestly have to have to say if you are in Colorado, a stop at Sand Dunes National Park and Zapata Falls should be on your list.
Heary RV Adventures 
WOW!!! This sounds AWESOME! You didn’t have to pay for the ice cream???? Wait. I mean, ISN’T GOD’S CREATION TRULY MAGNIFICENT?! 🙂 Wish we were with you! We can’t wait to see pictures!!
Those dunes sound really cool. I’m glad Jeff and Colin made it to the top! I can’t wait to see the pictures 🙂 A thirty foot waterfall… awesome! We are having so much fun hearing about your adventures. Have a fun day!!
All I want to know is…….did the kids make a sand castle? was it sand castle sand? I too like the sound of the nice cool walk through the water at the falls to sooth your feet after all the hiking up and down and over and under on rocks and sand! you guys are amazing – getting to the ocean on Brigantine will be a piece of cake, you won’t even notice it!!!! Love you, Mom
Sounds like everyone is getting in their exercise. Tough sand “duning” for exercise though. Good for the quads and hammies.
I LOVED the Great Sand Dunes – saw them in 1976. I wonder if they are taller or shorter since then. Really amazing- smack between (I think) the Sangre di Cristo and the San Juan Mountains. Next trip, you have to check out White Sands in NM! As extensive I think, but white from gypsum. (I keep pushing NM).
Enjoy your trip and stay safe!
Aunt Pat, TG
Its amazing how varied your adventures have been already; and per the text now you have seen the biggest canyon of all, a Grand one…………
I doubt there was more sand there than Wildwood’s beach
OK Hearys, by now you know where the states are located, so try to find them on a map. You have to place the state in its location and if you miss by mere miles, you lose. Goal: beat Pop Pop’s 46 of 50 with the four misses by an average of 14 miles. Go to:
http://jimspages.com:80/States.htm