Wonder, Wander & Wag: May Trip #5 Santa Fe to Alamosa

Wildfire Alert

A few days before arriving in Santa Fe we had heard that the fires in New Mexico were of concern (all fires are of concern but these were big ones). The "big" fire was the combination of the Calf Canyon and Hermit's Peak fires. We could see the cloud of smoke over the mountains when we arrived in Santa Fe. Air quality was good for us though and we were not affected by this one/two. It is currently 62% contained. The other fire, the Cerro Pelado, did affect our plans. We were supposed to stay at the Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op (through Harvest Hosts) in Los Alamos. They were at the yellow level (get ready to leave) evacuation status. I think there is a good chance we would have been evacuated if we had gone there. We were able to change our plans. I do want to go back to stay at Bathtub Row Brewing and go to the Manhatten Project National Monument. The Cerro Pelado fire is 95% contained.

Fire cloud over the mountains as we arrived in Sante Fe. We did camp on this side of those mountains but were not affected by the fire.

Echo Amphitheater

Looking for an alternative campsite, we stopped at the Echo Amphitheater, a spot we would have missed on our original route. It was a wonderful stop. Very impressive and, yes, quite an echo. I was glad there were a couple of young ones around to show me how to make the echo. We had a great visit but didn't stay.

So amazing!

We camped at Heron Lake SP. Were not overly impressed so only one night. Probably should have stayed at Echo Amphitheater. Leaving Heron Lake SP, we stopped in the town of Chama at Tierra Wools. Oh, My! They have beautiful yarn (I resisted. only because they didn't sell knitting needles) and teach spinning, weaving and dying classes. I want to go back for a month or so.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Chama, New Mexico

Chama was also one of the stations for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. What fun to hang out around the old trains. When I come back here to take weaving lessons, Dean will volunteer to work on trains. And we'll both take lots more photos.

This may look like the same photo but the perspective is different. Can you find who is watching us? Detail in lower photo.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The day just kept going and we were able to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Amazing! Yes, that word is getting overused. Dean's quote of the adventure was:

WowWowWow! WowWowWow!

He uttered it at least a few times every day.

This is one GIANT sand dune!
There are people climbing it-just tiny black dots from here.

Colorado Farm Brewing Co.

Alamosa, Colorado

Our campsite for the night was a Harvest Host at The Colorado Farm Brewery. Everything possible is done in-house (or on the farm) from growing the ingredients to brewing the beer and seltzer.

This was truly a community event. Lots of families with children playing in the playground, neighbors greeting each other. We loved it.

Food was provided by a food truck from a sausage company. We had a sausage sandwich with all the fixin's and a few street tacos. (There are rotating food trucks doing the food-check the schedule)