We left Great Sand Dunes a little early, not because it wasn’t worth another day, but because rain was forecasted. Besides, the kids had already earned their junior ranger badge and my son had bought another park sticker to add to his collection. Packing up camp with wet gear in the morning did not seem like the best option. So, we gathered our stuff and headed off to the next national park in Colorado, Mesa Verde. Originally, my son did not have it on the itinerary even though he had never seen it. We stopped in the city of Durango hoping to find an affordable hotel, but decided the town was a little too crowded and expensive. We determined that we could make it to Mesa Verde before dark and so we took a chance that there would be a spot at the campground there. We were lucky and we set up camp, had dinner, and showered before we ran out of light. We were ready for an early morning start not knowing if this sort of park was going to be as interesting to the kids. They were able to pick up their Junior Ranger booklets in the morning and were thrilled to have the opportunity to earn another badge. We didn’t have to worry about where we were staying the next few nights, because months earlier I had booked a timeshare in Las Vegas. All we had to do was get there. The kids would be eager to see their mother and Nana, who had flown there to meet us. We learned on the twins’ older sister’s adventure that the kids would really start missing their Mommy after a few long days on the road. (For some photos of that 2019 adventure to Michigan click here. For a look back to the post on the first adventure click here)
It was a lot to get done, but the scenery, not only at the park, but also along the route to Four Corners Monument and all the way to Vegas was rich, and so different to what the children were used to back home. The weather cooperated and I took quite a few photos, some of which you can see by clicking here. After this leg of the adventure was over, my son said it was quite possibly the prettiest long drive he had ever taken. The kids had gotten another badge at Mesa Verde. At the Four Corners Monument, they were finally able to comprehend how it was actually possible to be in four states at the same time. Sometimes you just have to be there.
We arrived in Las Vegas as it was getting dark. The oldest child, as we turned onto the strip, looked out of her window and noticed all the lights and exclaimed with joy, “I think I am going to like Las Vegas.” It was hot when we got out of the air conditioned truck, but Mommy and Nana were there to greet us with lots of hugs.