It has been snowing in Colorado, and I wasn't even sure I would make it up here; but indeed I did. A beautiful, yet small park, that is full of contrasts.
My first view of the sand dunes that back up to the mountains.
The sand dunes are open for anyone to walk into, sort of like "Walking into the wild" as there is no trail of any kind, you just get up and go and start walking up and down, up and down.
As I started walking in the dunes, I got a closer view of the snow covered mountains behind them. Totally awesome.
If you look closely in the picture above and below, you can see people walking up the dunes, and get some idea of how huge the dunes are. Yes those tiny little specks in the photo below are people! Apparently these dunes are the largest sand dunes in North America.
Doesn't this look like the pot of gold for a dirt bike rider? I just pictured my friend Jeff charging up the dunes like a madman, going wild and crazy and taking jumps like he was in outer space.
You could wander around for days, or maybe I could as I am directionally challenged, but anyway, you probably should make sure you can find your way back before going too far.
The view from the parking lot of the Great Sand Dunes; beautiful layers of texture that I found very appealing.
View from near the top, looking back down the dunes. I charged down with the best of them, my camera flapping in my face as I ran.
After the Sand Dunes I took a walk in the forest along this little creek of melting snow. The pine trees smelled so fabulous and the air was nice and cold due to the snow.
The snow covered trail going up into the mountains. I must admit my shoes did get a bit soggy and muddy on this trail.
After I left Montrose, CO, I started the treacherous drive over the 550 to Mesa Verde. I pulled over to the side of the road to take some pictures, looking both ways before racing across the street. Just as I got to the other side, a little deer popped her head up and I thought she had been sleeping until I noticed the blood trail leading from the street. She had been hit by a car but was still alive yet unable to walk, so I drove down to the gas station and asked the lady to call someone to help her. She called someone to come and put her down, which made me sad, but at least she wouldn't suffer anymore. 
Beautiful icicles on the road to Ouray.
Bear Creek
View from the top of the pass....lots of snow!
Funky little town of Ouray, where I stopped for the most delicious Mocha at a Belgian Chocolate Coffee House and got stuck in the snow because I parked sideways....mmmmmm.
In Durango, there is an incredible BBQ place swarming with locals, where I got a pulled pork sandwich that was to die for. Can you tell I love to eat?
Mesa Verde at last.....cold, burnt, dry and filled with Native American influences.
Over half of the trees at Mesa Verde have burned down in the last five major fires. It is sad to drive through acres and acres of charred trees, knowing how many little lives were lost and how terribly long it is going to take to replenish.
The Ancestral Puebloans, formerly know as the Anasazi, built Cliff Palace over 800 years ago. It is the largest cliff dwelling in North America.
It is very cool to walk close to the building and peer inside to see old artwork painted on the walls; very amazing.
Looking down into a ceremonial Kiva, a place where they may have held important ceremonies.
Cliff Palace was built with over 150 rooms, living rooms, storage rooms and funky little rooms that seem to have no purpose; there is also some open areas most likely used for socializing.
Looking up into the window of one of the little rooms....
That would be me, all bundled up in the cold, looking like a plump tourist in the Indian house.
Another dwelling called Spruce Tree House, has about 114 rooms and 8 Kivas. It is built into a natural cave with a spring at the head of the canyon.
I wonder what it was like to look through the windows and see your friends and neighbors grinding corn, preparing dinner, bathing, and just outright living here in the cave dwelling.
After I left Mesa Verde, I drove down to Gallup, kind of a long boring drive but did have some awesome views like this one.
