Lots of Mountains

I decided to try my luck with the mountains this afternoon—I couldn't imagine trekking all this way without going over them. And I couldn’t be more thrilled with that decision. The ride up to 9,000 feet was absolutely incredible and might just be the best part of the trip so far. Winding through switchbacks and weaving along raging rivers was an experience like no other. Every turn seemed to reveal a view even more amazing than the last, and the photos I took simply don’t do it justice.

My destination today was the Great Sand Dunes National Park, but I arrived a bit too late to explore. Instead, I found a perfect spot on the side of the mountain to set up camp. It’s one hell of a location, I have to say. I’m bundling up tonight, though, since temperatures are expected to drop to -15°C. We’ll see if this sleeping bag really works its magic.

As I write this, I can hear a nearby pack of coyotes howling at the moon—a pretty cool way to end the dayLæs mere