, Headed North

We are nearly at the Canadian border and will cross over in about two days.  We are excited to be this close to starting the AK Adventure but we have enjoyed the journey to this point.

After leaving Albuquerque (and some of our stuff we put in storage until we return in October for Balloon Fiesta) we head north on I-25. The first place we stopped. more by happenstance then purpose, was Lathrop State Park in southern CO. We took a day trip from there to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, about 70 miles west of the State Park.  These great sand dunes, some over 700 feet high are nestled against the base of the mountains.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

BIG sand dunes!!

On the beach?!?!

We spent a few extra days at the State Park because it was such a jewel. All the spots were easy in/easy out and there were two big lakes in the park that make it a favorite weekend destination in the Summer for boaters!  We enjoyed hiking the trails and BJ got really excited about some new birds she had not seen before and I enjoyed some challenging geocaches in the park.

The two lakes in the park with the Spanish Peak mountains behind

Getting close to a geocache

Some wild flowers made the park even more spectacular!

Yellow Billed Magpie hanging out in the park

Speaking about birds let me tell you about a new blog coming to a computer in your house!  BJ is in final stages of getting her blog ready for public consumption!  She has so many beautiful bird pictures and birding adventures she wants to share. But, first she has to get her blog just right. I will post a link when she says it is ready for "prime time".

We had to depart Lathrop State Park because we had an appointment for Tucson, our transportation, to get his annual service at a Cummins Engine Facility just north of Denver.  We had planned on arriving there on Sunday as they have hook-ups for the RVs there for service.  However, based on weather forecast we got there on Saturday as we did not want to travel in the SNOW!  So we were safely secure when the snow hit, but we did manage to get over to our niece's house for a wonderful Sunday Brunch on Mother's Day.   What a delight!

That is not beach sand!

The next day they pulled Tucson in for the day and accomplished the service we needed so he is ready for the AK adventure!  And, we continued north!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!