Despite writing that city people really shouldn’t camp, we tried another weekend camping trip with another family to the Sand Dunes National Monument in southern Colorado this past weekend. We went a few years ago in mid summer when the hot temperatures in the day time made it quite unbearable to climb the dunes midday. We vowed to come back in the fall when the weather was cooler and knew we were tempting fate by visiting on the last weekend in September.
We arrived on Friday evening greeted by rain - at least it wasn’t snow - and the dark. Somehow, we managed to pitch 2 tents, make dinner and get to bed. My daughter’s best friend slept with us in our tent and the two of them woke us up at the crack of dawn. We awoke to cool but sunny skies and thought we were set for the day. Later on the ranger came by to warn us to secure our tents, because 50-60 mph winds were expected.
After breakfast and some cowboy coffee, we headed out for a hike up the dunes. They look deceivingly easy to climb, until you’re out there. Hiking with kids is always an adventure, and they did surprisingly well despite the biting sand and wind. We ended returning back to camp after 1.5 hours and played some games, had snacks and then I decided to take a nap. I awoke to thunder, lightening, hail and our tent whipping about, and the voices of my husband and friend digging a trench around our tent in an attempt to divert the gully wash of water around 3pm.
The rain eventually stopped and we had dinner and a pow wow to decide whether we were going to stay another night. After assessing the skies and realizing that more rain was imminent, we packed up and headed back to Denver. I felt a little defeated, but was more than relieved to sleep in my own clean, wind and rain free bed.
Meanwhile, a good friend of mine, Nikki, of Wild on the Inside, who makes crazy clothing for Burning Man and beyond, keeps trying to convince me that I should go to Burning Man once in my lifetime because it’s life altering. It sounds like such a cool experience, but I’m pretty sure the sand storm, wind and rain that we just experienced at the Sand Dunes is mild compared to the weather that the Burning Man attendees experience in the Nevada Desert every year. For now, I think I’ll pass and just live vicariously through her.
I’m back in the studio today and have a little work to do on some of the pots I threw last week. I think I almost have enough work to fill my kiln and that’s cause for celebration!
Have a good week everyone,
~Cynthia
Tags: camping in colorado, sand dunes national monument
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Yea! Let’s dance and celebrate. Kiln is full! I love when stuff like that happens after an aborted or foreshortened camping trip. Sounds like you were wise to come home. Nothing like being a whipping tent to keep you awake for hours!
Yeah, whipping tents are no fun. I am glad that you went and shared such great photos with us! You are making memories for your lucky kid…and well a full kiln is cause for much celebration! Love to you, crazy dune lady. *Grin*
Cool! That second photo is beautiful, too.
Amen, Mary!
I heard my daughter tell someone at school about our camping trip - the horror of it - so bring on the memories, Heather. I like being called “Crazy Dune Lady”!
Outstanding photos! I can’t say that I’m much of the type to LOVE camping. My brother goes to Pow wow’s all the time and has tried to talk me into going. I never do because they camp outside. I have thought about going though. Just to spend time with my brother. That’s a wonderful way to spend time with family. Thanks for sharing this with us Cynthia!
*HUGS*
Oh. There will be more camping in the future, I predict. You will go to Burning Man.
I agree with your first prediction, Janet, but not your second…:D But, stranger things have happened.
I lived in SW Colorado for 10 years and I never made it to Sand Dunes! What great pics showing me what I missed out on.
Coleman Roadtrip Grill