The Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Hiking the dunes

Exploring the sand dunes is a must do when visiting this national park. The park entrance is $15 for a week. Hiking is best in the morning or closer to sunset. That’s because the sand is scorching during the heat of day. Just make sure you bring bug spray we noticed as the sun went down we were swarmed with mosquitoes!

Also, bring plenty of water and be prepared for a workout hauling yourself to the top of one of the dunes is no small task you will slide with every step causing double the work. And remember: there aren’t any maintained trails. I carried my phone inside my jacket in an attempt to keep the sand out, but a plastic bag would have been better. I ended up finding grit in various places and it took awhile to clean.

Daytime activities include splashing in Medano Creek, which is always a blast. The water flow changes throughout the year, too. You could have plenty of rushing water or only a small trickle. When we were there, the creek was very cool and reached just below our knees, making for an easy crossing to the dunes.

 Shortly after crossing the river we saw people sledding down a dune. The only person who looked like he was doing anything fun was a guy sliding down while standing on what looked to be a snowboard. I read that some people go to the dunes to ski in the winter, but that would be so much work without ski lifts.

Driving up Medano Pass Primitive Road

If you have a capable 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, driving up Medano Pass Primitive Road will give you another unique perspective into these lands. You’ll have to navigate creek crossings, deep sand, rocks, and other obstacles.

You may even need to deflate your tire pressure to 20 psi when the sand is soft and dry. There’s a free air station in the Amphitheater parking lot, but bringing your own air compressor is a smart move. We didn't know this when we went back so we didn't chance going back as far as some of the other jeeps, being in a bigger Dodge truck and no cell service didn't want to chance it this time. But next time we go up we will be prepared!

The camping at Pinon Flats looks really neat a lot of the sites have views of the sand dunes and I bet the sunset and sunrises are remarkable.




Has anyone been to the Sand Dunes? Have any tips for hiking up the dunes? Or favorite camping sites at Pinon Flats?

Mesa Verde, CO Moorefield Camping

Mesa Verde is a 6 hour drive down from Denver. We left after I got off work at 3 pm so we ended up getting in alittle after midnight and were worried we wouldn't have much to pick from at the Morefield Campground, 4 miles inside the park gate.

Once we arrived we stopped are the trading post and found our name taped to the window with our tag to add to a site of our picking and a map. When we got more into the campground it was really spread out and weren't really sure what we were getting into but we finally picked a site on the UTE Loop and couldn't have been happier with the site when we woke up in the morning. We had a gorgeous view of a couple mountains and deer feeding outside our tent by our picnic table.

Multiple bathrooms around the campground so you didn't have to walk far and they were lite all night long. Also had heavy duty garbage containers to keep bear out. Showers were at the trading post which was within walking distance but we ended up driving over when we needed to shower it was kind of far away and didn't want to walk back with wet flip flops.

Camping fee was $30 a night and an additional fee for the park pass to get in was $20 so it was really reasonable the only downfall was that we couldn't have a campfire but that wasn't the campgrounds fault. Colorado has been really dry and to be expected mid summer to have a fire ban.

Later that day we about 18 miles further into the park to the cliff dwellings and they were incredible. My family went a few years back without me, I had to work :(. So I had only seen pictures which didn't really intrigued me to want to drive down. But I'm glad we finally did it. You won't be disappointed if you have never seen them.

One of the things I didn't realize is you have to buy tickets to take a tour of the cliff dwellings they sell them at the museum right before entering into the cliff palace so just keep that in mind. It was amazing to think this was carved by our ancestors years ago. The hike to get up to the dwellings was intense hard to know what they were thinking or how they picked/ended up in this area.

Has anyone else gone to Mesa Verde? What was your favorite part?

The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs, CO

As we were driving down to Mesa Verde we thought we would stop at the Springs Resort. Living in Colorado for 10 years we have never gone and are really glad we did. It's a five hour drive from Denver so hard to get down unless you plan a weekend trip down.

Enjoy the relaxation of natural hot springs at The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. These waters have been utilized for hundreds of years for healing and relaxation. Soak and relax in the 23 different hot mineral pools. Home of the World's Deepest Geo-thermal Hot Spring at an astounding 1,002 feet deep and feeds all of the resort's soaking pools.

Here are the temperatures of each of the pools, I copied from the website.

Overlook - 108

Sunset Social Club - 106

Tranquility - 100

Boulder - 101

Blue Lagoon -

Dancing Waters -

Columbine - 109

The Burg - 92

Treasure - 100

Paradise - 100

Aspen - 103

Lobster Pot - 109

Crick Tub - 92

Marco Polo - 98

San Juan River - 56

Waterfall - 102

Venetian - 104

Serendipity - 100

Clouds in my Coffee - 102

Summer Breeze - 108

Cozy Cove - 110

Top O' The Mornin' - 98

Twilight - 106

River Bend - 105

The Cliffs - 105

They also have an adults only area on the upper deck with a tropical feel, palm tree umbrellas and fire pits. Which was one of our favorite areas and have cocktail servers coming around taking drink orders. Next time we go up there I hope we can stay the night at the resort and enjoy soaking in the pools alittle longer our favorite was the waterfall or the burg which was in alittle pod by the cold river but had hot water pumped in to make it the perfect temperature. These have to be my favorite hot springs in Colorado thus far.

Have you been to Pagosa Springs? What do you like to do there? Any hot springs that you have been to that you would recommend we check out, please comment below. We are always up to going to hot springs.

Steamboat Springs, CO KOA camping

The KOA is next to the highway we didn't hear anyone in our area mention anything about highway noise from US40. We stayed for the weekend in a deluxe campsite. Some of the other sites are closer together, they only allow one tent per site for 6 people, but we really enjoyed site 135 since it was alittle bigger. It was second to the last campsite along the river and was the only site that had an opening into the river. Not that you really wanted to go into the water, way too cold still from the snow run off. Also, running faster than I've seen in the past, but still nice to be able to walk over and rinse your hands off.

Since I was last at this campground they have made a few changes. Bathrooms have been totally redone. Grounds, pool and overall facilities are excellent. They have mini golf for the kids nothing fancy but something for them to do. In front of our site they had a horse shoe pit and a big open space, we brought corn hole to play with friends and plenty of room to do that.

We saw a lot of people come by fishing and paddle boarding, braver than we are!  Steamboat is a gem of a mountain town. Off the hook hiking, kayaking, skiing and mountain biking.

Fish Creek falls short hike in from the park entrance. Small fee to enter $5 per vehicle, but worth it.

Has anyone else gone camping up in Steamboat? Where do you like to stay? Any must see hikes or events we should see?

Manitou Springs, CO

We decided to drive to Manitou Springs to try the mineral springs that we heard people talking about. Their are 10 natural springs around Manitou that you can try. They are all natural with minerals that the human body needs. Our favorite spring was Twin Falls or the "Fountain of Youth", as referred by the locals. Twin Falls which has potassium and calcium in it.

If you are in the area it's definitely worth coming to see. After you can drive to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, about a 10 minute drive away. Or 7 falls is a really pretty area after you walk up the 224 stairs their are 2 hiking trails you can take. 7 falls also does a nightly lighting ceremony and they light the falls up different colors.

Minnesota

Since it's getting to be that time of year when people are going to start traveling out of state I thought I'd share some of my favorite things about MN and if you get time to them you won't disappointed (at least I hope not!)

• Mall of America - it's just something about a 3 stories of shopping/movie theatre, half mile each level!  
• Ground level of Macy's outside by the parking. Their are hands in the concrete of the workers that helped build the MOA and their families. My sister and I are in there up near the top. Our Grandpa did concrete work so he made sure we were one of the first ones to get our hands in!
• Amusement park- when I grew up and went all the time it was snoopy land but now it's Nickelodeon themed. Regardless the theme it's still a really fun area to take a break from shopping. I love the flume ride!!
• Underwater Aquarium- I went there one year for my bday and it was so much fun! Plus after you walk through they have the gift shop and an area where you can touch star fish, sea urchins, sting rays, etc. I've never been to an aquarium that lets you touch the sea life.
• Plus all the shopping! I think theirs a little something for everyone there so you won't have to worry about making sure no one gets bored.

• Downtown Minneapolis Macy's store- if you have kids. Every year after Thanksgiving they do a free Holiday show. This year will be "A Day in the Life of an Elf".  When I was growing up we went every year so I have so many found memories of our Mom taking us there. After we went to the Nicollete Street Holidazzle parade which is another must see! I love that the parade happens after Thanksgiving and goes up until almost a week before Christmas! In Denver we have ONE night to catch the lights parade :(.

• IKEA - if you don't have one in your state, Denver doesn't :(.

• Swedish Institute Minneapolis- I think this is a really neat museum even if your not Swedish.



• Duluth is really pretty! They have a fun little small town and Lake Superior is a must see. Their are multiple lighthouses around Lake Superior. I remember a few in Duluth. Of course, I love lighthouses so if you don't that might not interest you :). while walking on the rock beaches you can find Superior agates that you can sell or decorate your home with.

• St Paul winter carnival - I haven't been back for a few years to see this but I remember going with my grandparents. They used to have a huge ice castle. Not sure if that still happens. But I know they do ice sculpting competitions.

• State Fair- this is a fun event for my family. If your state has a fair I'm sure it's not to different from yours. Denver doesn't have one. We have one in Pueblo but I don't want to drive 3 hours for the fair!

• Minnesota Institute of Arts - I was very impressed when we went here a few years ago.

• A few of more places to visit are (depending on how long you have):
• Stillwater
• Grand Marais
• Boundary Waters
• Rochester
• Minnetonka
• Uptown Minneapolis
• Minnehaha falls in Minneapolis

If you have any questions just let me know or if you'd like more in site on areas/where to go I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Assateague island, MD

Assateague Island is south of Ocean City, Maryland and is home to 37 miles of gorgeous ocean beaches. The island offers swimming, beach combing, sunbathing, surfing, paddle boarding, crabbing, and ocean kayaking.

It almost sounds mythical wild horses, campsites just steps from the shore, and camp fires on the beach but on Maryland's Assateague Island, this is just what you'll find. It's easy to fall in love with this island. Who wouldn't bask in the joy of meeting Assateague's wild horses for the first time as they silently approach you. These are the moments that live beyond description and that remain in your memory forever

Camp reservations can be hard to come by. The easiest reservations to nail down are at camping spots on the bay side of the island where you park your car and walk to your site with gear in tote. More difficult to come by, but worth putting in the effort, are individual camp spots with drive up parking, which allows for easy access to gear throughout your stay. These spaces also sit just steps from the beach, offer a little more privacy, and are definitely worth holding out for on your first visit to Assateague. I've been trying to book another trip back and always sold out months in advance!


Assateague is open year round; the most popular time to visit is May through October. Also in the area is historic small-town Berlin, where "Runaway Bride" was filmed, and the famous Ocean City boardwalk, both just under 10 miles away.


Local steamed crab, is a must! My dad went into a local shop and all I remember is him coming out with a big brown bag full of crabs and being from Minnesota was like what is this! It was the most delicious, flavor explosion of crab I've ever had.


Camping at Assateague will be a pleasant experience you'll remember forever and create great family memories. Please share your tips or experiences below.