CO to NM to OK

We left Colorado about an hour east of Trinidad. We are trying to make a new route to Black Mesa and just look around a little.


Here the kids are laying down in the highway at the intersection of the two states. Yes, they are professionals and no one should try this at home. Especially since you can see for 5 miles in both directions and that after being at this location for 10 minutes we realized that we may be there a few days before we see another person.

This is one of the better family portraits we have taken in a while. No one blinked!

Great Sand Dunes Jr Ranger

The visitor center has great multi-sensory and interactive exhibits. The short video gives a good summary of the history and science of the park.

Raven and Luke completed their Jr Ranger. The workbook for this park is a very good one, it is challenging and quite in depth with 3 different age/grade levels.


This is the Great view of the Great Dunes and mountains from the outside of the Visitor Center.

Great Sand Dunes, NP CO

The initial views of the sand dunes coming into the Great Sand Dunes National Park on Medano Pass from Westcliff, CO were intriguing. The pass took us over Medano Pass through forested mountain canyon with views of high cliffs in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains then dropping us into soft sand with multiple creek crosses. It was a fun 4WD drive.

This is the area that we stopped to play in the sand. It is about 1000' up to the top of these dunes. We all scrambled to the top. The kids loved running around and playing in the sand. It was amazing to examine the sand up close and see all of the different colors of the sand. It is different than the sand in White Sands NP, here you can see different shades of brown, tan, black, and cream.

Luke's 1st 13er summit

Luke did it!

Going up Hermit's Peak

A view from the top & bottom

Bishop's Castle was an amazing sight to behold. We went a ways to the top all together then JB went on his own the rest of the way to the top.

You can see the FJ way below.

Mr Jim Bishop was working to build an arch (I think) the day that we visitied. He was more than willing to share his opinion with anyone who would engage him. We steered clear. His life's work is a work of art and we appreciated the time we spent there. There's quite a story to go along with Bishop Castle and this one has been being written over the last 40 years!

Bishop Castle - talk about "handmade"

Bishop's Castle

Royal Gorge Bridge

We went on the side of the Royal Gorge that you do not have to pay to cross. For the time that we had to spend in the area for the day, it was the best for us. It was neat to see the Aerial Tram suspended out over the gorge.

You won't find a picture of Raven this near the edge.

We had a great view of the bridge and the rides from the park on the other side. The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world, it hangs more than 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River.

Lesson on "loosing fear of heights" by JB

Notice Raven's rear stuck to the side of the mountain.

He can fly!!

This looks so much more dangerous than it was or maybe it is that it was much more dangerous than this picture reveals . . . . .

"The King" Tells All

We found this fortune teller in Canon City, CO. Raven & Luke were happy to hear what Elvis had to tell them . . . . see for yourself.