Sunday, June 7
A little off the beaten path--Mosca, CO
The tallest dunes in North America, they cover apprx 39 square miles and rise to almost 750 ft from the valley floor. The dunes are the product of the wind and rain eroding the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains that ring the San Luis valley. They have collected here because the prevailing winds across the valley blow in this direction and meet winds blowing in the opposite direction.
Heavy winds blow the sand this way and that way, but the moisture from the snow/rain help stabilize the formations. Another part of this amazing formation is Medano Creek. During the summer you will find plenty of people--young and old--playing at this "beach" setting.
The dunes themselves are not a haven for flora, but you can find about 20 different species of plants living here.
The enormous sandbox can make you feel like a kid again! People hike and climb, just to roll down. Laughing as their shorts/pants fill up with sand! We would have loved to give it a try, but the wind was blowing too hard. We were told it would feel as if we were getting sandblasted. 
and in case you haven't heard...the National Park Service has announced fees will be waived on 3 different weekends this summer: June 20/21 (Father's Day weekend); July 18/19; August 15/16. Get out and discover America!
