Make a change in the way you are thinking, and you will make a change in your life.
At 4 AM, I decided it was simply not worth fussing with the weather, so I started my day. Peering into the dark while listening to the wind was eerie, and the gusts brought strange noises as they swept up the mountain. It had me imagining what a snowstorm would be like here in winter.
The hurricane-like winds continued as I sat watching the horizon for signs of dawn. It was meditative, and I found an odd peace in the van’s movement and considered the notion that when things change inside me, things change around me. With those words, I found peace.
Finding Peace
The first light’s soft colors of pink and blue caused me to think about what I would do next. Physically prepared to go, I wasn’t ready to give in. Traveling this far only to leave seemed like conceding to a situation without curiosity or courage.
Of course, there were choices. I could go, or I could stay and explore. If I wandered a little further, driving into the park, who knows what I might see. (maybe even a bear!) Oh, and – I had to get my first National Park Stamp too before I could leave!!
The Experience
It remained windy, of course, but I encountered so many discoveries by not turning and running away. First, the clouds of dust and sand swirling about yesterday had died down a bit, allowing me to at least see part of the Dunes and make some images.
Then, although the snowmelt that creates two-foot waves along the Medano Creek in the spring wasn’t fully flowing yet, it was really something to see and walk through. Shoot! The fact that this water was traveling from Marble Mountain or Blueberry Peak was mind-blowing all on its own.
After that, soon as I stepped from the water onto the Dunes, the wind rose to yesterday’s intensity. But I kept moving forward. Feeling as though I was getting blasted with sand, knowing I wouldn’t get to the top and back, I felt the need to at least experience being on the dunes.
Ultimately, I did leave this park after only a few hours of play, but I will always think of it as a crazy wild ride to somewhere new. I hope to return to the Great Sand Dunes National Park sometime to hike the trails, explore Zapata Falls, shoot the sunset and stars and climb to the top of the highest dune.
A digital download of this lovely panorama of the Great Sand Dunes can be purchased for $9.97 at my Esty Shop, VanGirl Productions.
Up next, the Royal Gorge area, Colorado >>
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Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
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