Birthday #70 on the Cumbres & Toltec
October 7-17, 2023
What a difference a day makes! The day after our train ride was overcast, blustery and bitterly cold.
Time to get back on the road. But first, a visit to the Milagros Coffee House in Alamosa. We couldn't help but notice that although Alamosa has a similar income level and population, its downtown is about three times the size of Silver City.
We drove in winds gusting to 50 mph all day. A ham radio buddy suggested we check out Zapata Falls on our way to Great Sand Dunes.
The waterfall is tucked into a narrow, twisting slot canyon.
It's about 30 feet tall, and thunderous!
It was a short hike with a remarkable ROI!
The mood at the dunes was decidedly dark and brooding!
A quick pano before the light went away.
![walking toward the dunes](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8464.jpg)
The sun came out briefly after dinner, but the wind was still howling.
![in the dunes](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8470.jpg)
There would be no big hike in the dunes on this trip.
![14er with fall color](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8473.jpg)
There are a half dozen peaks in the +13,000-foot range to the north and east of the park.
A morning hike to the Dunes Overlook.
![colorful narrow leaf cottonwoods](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/P1000502.jpg)
We were fascinated by the golden foliage on trees with bark like a cottonwood, but elongated leaves. And that's how we learned about Narrow-Leaf Cottonwoods!
![snow in the mountains](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/P1000497.jpg)
Snow in the mountains! It was time to turn around and head south.
![colorful sunset](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8481.jpg)
Colorful sunset near Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
![The Rio Grande Gorge](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8484.jpg)
We wedged ourselves into the last spot at Big Arsenic. It was too cold to hike down to the river, but the views were inspiring!
![Madeleine in Blue](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/P1000469.jpg)
The overnight low was 23, with winds gusting to 35 mpg. It was a good night to tunnel under the sleeping bags and watch old movies to distract from the violent rocking.
![bighorn sheep grazing](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/P1000534.jpg)
On the way out of the park, we encountered a herd of a half dozen Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep!
![bighorn sheep close-up Panasonic](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/P1000537.jpg)
They were unimpressed by us, and calmly continued grazing while we snapped dozens of photos.
![bighorn sheep close-up Nikon](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/northern-new-mexico/marion-70/VID_8492.jpg)
$3000 vs $500 camera.
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