Great Sand Dunes National Park

After the Wolf Creek Pass hike we drove to the Great Sand Dunes which are really interesting and much larger than we had imagined even though we had read about them it was still surprising.

We did a hike into the mountains on the back side of the dunes.  The trail started out in sand turning to dry rocky then to what looked like a rain forest turning to high meadows.  There were so many wildflowers along the way.

Afternoon storms are a daily event so hikes should start early.  For two afternoons in a row the storms have started with a strong hail storm.  We have not been early starters so the end of the hikes have been cutting it close with the wind, hail, and rain.

This part of Colorado is beautiful and full of great outdoor activities.  We have never been in this part of Colorado and will definitely be back here again.

Broad Tailed Hummingbirds were beautiful and numerous.

Cactus flower with a bee carrying pollen in it's leg sacks.

Penstemon Barbatus

 

A closeup of a cactus with red flowers

View from top of the trail

Look closely and see the hikers climbing the dunes.  They are on one of the lower ridges on the way to the top.  Most are carrying boards for sliding back down.

One of the high meadows covered in flowers

Wolf Creek Pass Hike

We left Santa Fe a few days ago and drove to Pagosa Springs, a really nice town in Southern Colorado.  Just up the highway from Pagosa prints in Wolf Creek Ski Area.  They tell me that this resort gets the most and earliest snow of anywhere in Colorado.  Also that it is the wettest place in the state.  We went for a day hike near the ski area following the continental divide trail for an out and back.  Starting at 8,400 ft and walking to about 12,000 ft.  The scenery was great - beautiful wildflowers and mountains all around.  

Before we left the motel in Pagosa Springs the owner told us to be off the trail by 2PM because of the afternoon thunderstorms.  We did get a late start so we had to hike as fast as we could to get as far as possible then we saw the huge black clouds were really closing in around us and we could hear thunder.  That was enough on an exposed ridge at 12,000 ft!  We defended as fast as we could and made it back to the truck as it started raining and lightening!  Great hike.  We need to come back but start much earlier.

The wildflowers along the trail were beautiful!

Rocky Mountain Columbine - Colorado State Flower.

Marmot

More wildflowers

Santa Fe Photos

Below are some photos around the house and yard in Santa Fe.  We've had some storms making for some good sunset photos.

A house finch -- we wake every morning to their chirping

Susan working in the kitchen

Wildflowers on a hike.  The wind was so strong a clear photo was difficult.

Mural in restroom at the Tesuque Market.  Lots of Casinos up the road.

Mural on the wall at the Tesuque Village Market.  A good place to eat with great homemade deserts.

Entrance to the Rancho de Chimayo -- Great place to eat - wonderful atmosphere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimayo,_New_Mexico

Pot and a bundle of sage burning in Tesuque Market

Entrance to Tesuque Market with Susan bend the band.

Mural outside the Market.  Lots of color and atmosphere inside and out.

Another sunset photo

Trying different photo effects at the house.
Above and below

Visiting the Shindoni foundry is always special.  So many beautiful sculptures!
http://www.shidoni.com/html/home.asp

Small bronze works of cowboys

Forest fire burning in the Santa Fe National Forest and sunset

Moon Photos at sunset

Sunset over the house

Beautiful sunsets most every night!

Strange effect -- it started out as all pink and red and then this dark wedge moved across the sky.  Maybe from the direction of Roswell?

House Finch

Cactus in bloom