July 31 & August 1, 2016

The drive north out of Los Alamos on US 84 through Abiquiu, past Ghost Ranch Conference Center, is a great opportunity to experience the New Mexico sky and light that has attracted artists. We continued into Chama for another Continental Divide NST stamp and picnic at rhe town's visitor center. Continuing on US 84 we entered Colorado near Pagosa Springs. It was a hot, mid-80s, and the San Juan River was full of people enjoying the water, lot of people using rental tubes with a shuttle provided.

The drive east along US 160 across souther Colorado I think is one of the most beautiful drives. Outside of Pagosa Springs you climb and cross over Wolf Creek Pass. This pass was made famous by Harry Chapin with his song "Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas". This route takes you past South Fork, which AZBuck recently visited and highlighted the area's summer activities.

We ended the day at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Their campground has 88 sites and fills on most days, even Sunday. One half of the campground is reservable and the other half is first come-first served. We arrived at 3 PM and found a number of available sites, even a few in the reservable section. The views from the campground are panoramic.

Critter in the campground


Morning view


Compass sculpture


On Monday AM after spending some time in the park we headed east on US 160 and stopped at Fort Garland State Museum, just a short distance up the road. There is an entrance fee, however you can get the passport stamp for the Old Spanish Trail and Sangre de Cristo NHA in the gift shop. The buildings date from 1858 and represent a frontier outpost.

We headed across eastern Colorado to La Junta, CO. We enjoyed another tasty meal at Felisha's Mexican Restaurant. We had eaten there a couple of years ago and enjoyed the food and prices. From there we went a short distance out of town to Bent's Old Fort NHS. It was our first hot day and while making the long walk in from the parking lot we happily accepted a golf cart ride from a ranger. There is a phone in the parking lot which anyone can call an ask for the golf cart to come pick up you up. Walking through the front doors of the fort is always a step back in time. This fort is a re-creation; the rangers dress in period costume and period-related activities are happening within the fort. Lots to explore.

Bent's Old Fort NHS
Old Entrance Gate


Fort entrance



Our third stop for the day was Sand Creek Massacre NHS, definitely a place you have to want to visit - it is very out of the way. While at Bent's Old Fort NHS we realized Sand Creek closed at 4 and it was a 1-1/2 hour drive. Just east of Bent's Old Fort NHS we passed a Zebra farm, yep, a pasture of zebras.
We made it there, about 20 minutes before it closed. We had visited before and had walked out to the memorial. That was a good thing because the biting flies were thick and viscous. A ranger walks out and meets you at your car, on this day he asked us to walk quickly into the visitor center - before we got to the door we were swarmed and they all made it in the door! While my husband stamped I swatted the flies, the ranger provided the flyswatter.

Sand Creek Massacre NHS
Visitor Center


Memorial - in the distance on the hill


The day ended with a drive into Kansas and a Motel 6 in Colby, KS, too hot to camp.

Wildlife Sightings

Cottontail Rabbit
Pronghorn
Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Turkey Vulture
Scrub Jay
Canada Goose
Duck, ?
Black-billed Magpie
Rock Pigeon
Hawk, ?
American Crow
American White Pelican
Western Meadowlark
Great-tailed Grackle
Ring-necked Pheasant