Day 1 - to Durango, Co

Left the Springs about 9am and made our first stop at 9:10am at Starbucks. I'm with a Starbucks crowd on this trip. They do have excellent hot chocolate! Back on the road. The car is not big enough. We should have rented the rv. Next time.

Stopped in Blanca, CO which lies just below Blanca Peak beautiful place. We ate at this small roadside diner, Lu Cafe. The food was excellent. Very basic but tasted great. The girls loved being out of the car. Sarah wanted to walk so Lisa, Mark and Maggie took turns taking her outside. Asked the waitress how far we were from the dunes and she said about 20minutes.
Back in the car finally figured out that Sue's gps was still on east coast time. The gps said we weren't getting there until 2pm and if was noon. Who said weren't bright!?

Arrive at the Dunes. The wind is gusting to 45mph. We didn't know this until we got out of the car at the foot of the dunes and had trouble keeping the car doors from slamming shut. The Dunes are magnificent. There is a plain or beach of sand that stretches for a 1/4 of a mile then the dunes rise up. The wind wasn't too bad when we first started but when we were on the plain the sand was pinging off of our faces. I could feel the sand in my shoes. Half the party turned back but Lisa, Maggie and I pressed on. I'm here and I'm getting to the top of a dune! The hike only took about 10 minutes. Walking up the dune was a great workout. Not only are we sinking in the sand but we are also at a higher altitude. I stopped to try to catch my breath, facing away from the wind. Took pictures with Lisa's camera. I didn't dare take out my nikon.

Walked back to the parking lot and took some pictures from within the scrub trees. Everything is dormant right now waiting for the water to return. There are rivers running under the sand and every so often you would see wet sand like at the beach. Amazing. Will post pictures as soon as Maggie teaches me how to do it.

After a quick pit stop at the visitor center we are back in the car and off to Durango, Co. Supposedly a 2 hour rider. we are all taking turns sitting in the last row. Actually the ones who can fit in the back row are taking turns. Mark and Lisa are exempt. I can't really see much out the back so I watch a movie.

I stop watching when I feel the car turning for the second time. What is Sue doing up there? I look out and we are on a switchback. This is the most awesome view I have ever seen. The valley below stretches for miles and you just look out over this expanse of snow covered land dotted with rivers and trees. Breathtaking! Then I realize we are turning again and Sue is applying the breaks more heavily now. Gulp! This is a roller coaster ride! We finally reach the valley floor and breath a collective sigh of relief. We stop in a town at malt shoppe. Lovely chocolate shake. The chocolate chip cookie I bought is gobbled up by the hordes in seconds. I think they liked it. Sue is stealing my chocolate shake. Just like old times.

Finally make Durango at 6pm. The hotel is very nice. We all get rooms on the first floor. I have a king size bed. Love it. We go to dinner at Ken and Sues' in downtown Durango. awesome food. We just have lighter fare since we have been eating in the car all day.

More later! Must eat breakfast. God forbid I skip a meal!