We grabbed breakfast on the go this morning, loaded the kids and gear and set off over the pass to the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado:
Upon arrival at the park we purchased the kids junior ranger handbooks (the junior ranger program is something we began taking part in last spring when we visited Big Bend National Park in south Texas).
After briefly outlining for the kids what they had to accomplish to get their badge, we set off to learn. First it was checking out the exhibits in the park headquarters, then we went on a nature trail (Sand Sheet Loop-@R), followed by lunch and a presentation by Ranger Patrick (Pictured below, holding Sally the salamander.)
and then...THE DUNES!
The younger kids weren't quite sure what to think of the sand dunes at first,
but once it was associated with a very large sandbox, the shoes came off...and the fun began...
The steep hills of sand made for some tiring fun. There was sliding, rolling, running, hopping, jumping, etc.
Clay, of course, found the only stick in sight and began to dig, followed by an attempt at burying himself and then an attempt to bury mommy.
After a fun romp in the sand, the kids completed their junior ranger books and we drove to park headquarters to have the children's work checked over by ranger Patrick.
Upon inspecting and signing each workbook, he swore the children in as official Junior Rangers and presented them with their Junior Ranger patch.
We pulled away from the park a bit later than expected, so we stopped in Alamosa, Colorado for dinner at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company:
Upon arrival at our camp, all of the children (and parents) eagerly washed up and climbed into bed!
Upon arrival at the park we purchased the kids junior ranger handbooks (the junior ranger program is something we began taking part in last spring when we visited Big Bend National Park in south Texas).
After briefly outlining for the kids what they had to accomplish to get their badge, we set off to learn. First it was checking out the exhibits in the park headquarters, then we went on a nature trail (Sand Sheet Loop-@R), followed by lunch and a presentation by Ranger Patrick (Pictured below, holding Sally the salamander.)
and then...THE DUNES!
The younger kids weren't quite sure what to think of the sand dunes at first,
but once it was associated with a very large sandbox, the shoes came off...and the fun began...
The steep hills of sand made for some tiring fun. There was sliding, rolling, running, hopping, jumping, etc.
Clay, of course, found the only stick in sight and began to dig, followed by an attempt at burying himself and then an attempt to bury mommy.
After a fun romp in the sand, the kids completed their junior ranger books and we drove to park headquarters to have the children's work checked over by ranger Patrick.
Upon inspecting and signing each workbook, he swore the children in as official Junior Rangers and presented them with their Junior Ranger patch.
We pulled away from the park a bit later than expected, so we stopped in Alamosa, Colorado for dinner at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company:
Upon arrival at our camp, all of the children (and parents) eagerly washed up and climbed into bed!
1 comment:
It was such fun to watch the kids having a blast in the sand! So glad we could do it together. :)
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