We had a bit of a family reunion a couple of weeks ago. We met up with my mother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew who were on a road trip from St. Paul, Minnesota to Colorado. Mom and my sister, Amy, are Colorado natives. My brother-in-law, Mark, is from New York, and the kids, Iris and Richard, are Minnesota natives. We met up with them at Sand Dunes Pool, colloquially known as the Hooper Pool. The pool, a hot springs in the San Luis Valley, is a welcome respite in the flat, strange, sandy valley.
On the first night, a day before the family showed up, Angelica and I camped in the RV overflow section in the flat, flat San Luis Valley. No hook-ups, but fire pits, and a hot spring pool about a hundred yards away!
In the early evening, we went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's best to tackle the sand dunes in the morning or the evening. The sand can get above 100 degrees in the daytime.
It's so fun to play in this giant sand box. Such a surreal landscape.
In the spring, the snow melt from the Sangre De Cristo mountains creates Medano Creek. The creek comes down in waves that can rise to a foot high in early June. As it flows downhill, the sand creates small dams, blocking the water. Eventually, the water pours over the sand-dams, creating waves. Dogs, and kids, love it!
Later that night, we went to the hot springs. It was "student night" at the main pool, so we paid an extra $3 each to go to The Greenhouse. Built in a former greenhouse, this quiet area is 21 and over only. Note the couples in the background. Great makeout spot!
The next afternoon, the family arrived. We hit the main pool with the kids, then took our five-year-old niece to the Colorado Gators Reptile Farm because she was the only one who was brave enough to go. The farm harvests talapia, and uses the alligators to dispose of talapia parts. The alligators live in the same hot springs waters which make the Sand Dunes Pool so relaxing.
The next afternoon, the family arrived. We hit the main pool with the kids, then took our five-year-old niece to the Colorado Gators Reptile Farm because she was the only one who was brave enough to go. The farm harvests talapia, and uses the alligators to dispose of talapia parts. The alligators live in the same hot springs waters which make the Sand Dunes Pool so relaxing.
Iris eagerly held a corn snake, first thing. She didn't even wince as it slithered up her neck and into her hat. The man guiding the tour thought we were her parents. We corrected him. "No, this is our niece. Her parents have no idea what she's doing right now!" So, then we went to hold an alligator.
Iris got a Certificate of Bravery for this achievement!
That's a fish!
We all survived the reptile farm and made it back to camp, where we got to show everyone pictures of all the reptiles Iris met. After almost a week living out of the tent, the kids thought our 17 foot trailer was pretty swank. They had fun climbing around, and Richard was really excited that he could "touch the ceiling!"
Before saying goodbye, we went back to the Great Sand Dunes to cool off in the creek.
Before saying goodbye, we went back to the Great Sand Dunes to cool off in the creek.
Thanks, Minnesota family, for the awesome trip!
Kenny is the chief fire builder and camp cook for a rag-tag team of dreamers. He holds a BA in English and has worked as a cook in a variety of different food service establishments. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded a short lived, but delicious, fried hand pie company. He loves wandering around flea markets and hiking through the woods. He has a passion for pizza and good beer. |