The Dunes

On Tuesday morning we woke up bright and early, put our breakfast in our Camelbaks, lathered up with sunscreen and headed for the dunes.  Because the elevation is so high, it never got hot while we were there--stayed in the high 70's and low 80's, but the sand does get hot in the sun, so it is best to hike the dunes in the morning.

The sand was fun to slide down too.  And it made a really weird noise when you did it.

The kids chose the hardest route up this particular hill.

Chloe made it first!

A much needed rest--and breakfast break.

Ryan of Arabia.  (Cool pic, huh?  I'm thinking FB profile picture of the year.)

What a hike!  It took us two hours to get from our campsite to the peak.  It was by far the hardest hike I have ever done!  Parts of it were nearly vertical inclines, which is hard enough, but walking up it in soft sand is insane.  Oh my heavens!  I'll admit, there was some crawling involved.  The last part was by far the worst.  After Isaac, the girls and I finally got to the top and caught our breath, I looked down and saw Ryan standing there about halfway up, with Lincoln laying inert at his feet.  I knew there was no way Lincoln could make it--it was just so hard.  So we came back down to him.  He was devastated that he didn't make it to the top.  :(  I guess we will have to go back when he is older to try again.

Chloe and Isaac, crawling up that final, brutal hill.  I am still having nightmares.

Our view from the top.  Which gives you NO perspective of how steep that evil hill was.

We spent the rest of the day at the "river"--Ryan and I just relaxed in the sun (I read a whole novel!!! When is the last time I had time to read?!)  The kids played and played and played.  It was perfect.

And here was the perfect end to our day.