Started the day with a visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is a very popular park and the lot was very full when we got there. There are a lot of other large sand dunes in the US, but this one is unique in that it is right next to the mountains, creating a very spectacular setting. We took a short nature trail and looked at the desert flora. The prickly pear cactus were very small but they were in bloom.
View from the Visitor’s Center of the dunes with the Sangre de Christo mountains in the background
Prickly Pear in bloom
After our visit to Great Sand Dunes, we drove to Taos, NM for lunch and shopping. Along the way we stopped at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. There is a rest area next to the bridge and there are sidewalks so you can safely walk out on the bridge to see the gorge.
Rio Grande Gorge
Plaza at Taos
After lunch we headed toward Santa Fe, and took the High Road to Taos scenic byway. It was a beautiful drive and the road was very good and fun to drive. In Santa Fe, we had a steak dinner. They serve the steak New Mexico style, that is with mixed vegetables, beans, and a cheese enchilada with chili. I had green chili and it was a very different experience from the typical Wisconsin Dinner Club steak dinner. Tomorrow is for exploring Santa Fe. We can’t wait.
Looks like you are having a great trip. The train ride looked amazing. Taos is a cool place too!