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Today we went from Cortez to Mosca, both cities in Colorado, to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park, our last stop before heading home. It rained almost all the way, the first rainy day on our road trip. Up high in the mountains I could see aspen trees, their fall foliage muted by rain clouds and fog. As we came near Mosca, the sky brightened a bit. I saw two big fields of canola with yellow flowers stretching to the horizon.

Canola field near Mosca, CO.

Canola field near Mosca, CO, with the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the background.

Looking back the way we came, the other field was more subdued against a backdrop of rain clouds.

Another canola field near Mosca, CO.

Another canola field near Mosca, CO.

We arrived at our hotel in the early afternoon and lost no time in going to the Great Sand Dunes. We got some maps, attended a ranger geology briefing, watched a movie, and still had time to take pictures of the dunes.

A view of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

A view of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Girl running barefoot at Great Sand Dunes.

Girl running barefoot at Great Sand Dunes.

She had to sit down briefly. The park recommends that people wear shoes when hiking the dunes.

She had to sit down briefly. The park recommends that people wear shoes when hiking the dunes.

She finally got up and followed her companions.

She finally got up and followed her companions.

Another view of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Another view of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

View of Great Sand Dunes at sunset, from our hotel room.

View of Great Sand Dunes at sunset, from our hotel room, with the Sangre de Cristo mountains behind them.