Warm light sinks slightly below the dunes as we reach the slopped edge of the sun-sketched mountain of sand.
To my left, I spot a fellow wanderer hiking the dune’s sunken ridge line. I dipped down slightly, reaching into my right pocket for my phone, and quickly snapped this photo without hesitation.
The day is August 18, 2018, around six in the afternoon, and the sun is still swollen in the sky. My mother and I are standing in the mesmerizing White Sands National Park in Southern Colorado.
This is by far one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever visited and I highly recommend a visit.
It’s magical seeing miles and miles of enormous sand dunes scattered right below the vibrant, tree-covered Rocky Mountains and next to the brilliant blue Lake Lucero.
You can rent waxed sand boards and sleds at the entrance to lug up the steep, sliding dunes or climb to the top much faster than the sand toy-carrying wanderers. And wander you will, for there’s no real destination at Great Sand Dunes National Park, only the one you have set in mind and care to reach.
For those who do choose to use a sandboard or sled, remember to use a lot of the wax provided, it will slide across the sand much better.
Some parts of the sand are harder packed than others, so a fall will feel like being punched by a pro boxer, trust me, I thought I broke my tailbone on one fall!
Luckily, I’m practically made out of stainless steel, so I walked out, or I should say slid out without as much pain to my body as there was to my ego.
As we walked out of the park, exchanging stories of other dunes we visited while living in the Middle East, my mother and I took one look back at the gorgeous, toppling sand as the sun said its farewell and slipped out of sight, returning darkness to the Earth and coolness to our sunburnt faces.
Link it up, baby:
- Six Places to Spot the World’s Most Breathtaking Sand Dunes
- A 2-Day Colorado National Park Trip Itinerary
- Colorado National Parks List & Map
Thank you deeply for your time and attention in reading this post, it is a rare gift these days. Feel free to comment, like, or share it. You can also support me by Buying Me A Coffee. Thank you in advance!
