dunes

$100 and I utilized the long x-mas weekend to get the van out one last time in '18.  Made the trek down to Sand Dunes.  Ended the year with a PR of 36 nights spent outside.

Of course we dropped by Salida on the way there.

Pop tarts get a pretty bad rap from the nutrition community, and probably rightfully so, but they are a staple of our van life.  And now in an incredible flavor!  I actually heard a guy say that you would be better off just eating the box than you would the actual pop tart due to the sugar content.  He might be right, but it wouldn't taste so damn good.

There will be no post cards sent from our trip as the visitor center at the Dunes was closed.  Thanks Obama/Trump/Chuck & Nancy!

Awesome nine mile hike on Saturday.  Lots of trails that aren't part of the actual dunes in this park.

Relive 'Sand Dunes Hike'

       
After our big hike we made a side trip to Crestone Brewing.  Surprisingly good beer and food there.

Then back to the Dunes.  We stayed at the Zapata Falls campground.  There was one other person there.  On Sunday when I woke up I checked the weather, and it was 5F in Hooper, CO.  And we were about 1000 feet above Hooper.

Hiked back to Zapata Falls, which is currently frozen solid, and spent some time on the dunes.  The dog absolutely loves this place.

Here is my entire surfing career in two pictures:

We left on Monday for Canon City.  Along the way we got to catch up with Shad for a few brews.

We also stopped by Florence Brewing on the way to Canon.  Camped at Shelf Road.  Terrific place.  I imagine I'll climb there once it warms up.  Phone was dead so no pics.