Spring Break 2021 Mar 13-16

Since we thought this vacation might not even happen because of the snow, we were so happy to make it there. We reserved 2 little huts, one for me and one for the kids. The kids yurt was an adobe mud hut with a table and beds. The kids would only go there to sleep at night.

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We spent most of our time in our hut, which had a kitchen and bathroom. We brought games, puzzles, and books to keep us busy while the snow was coming down.

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On Sunday, we woke up to some significant snow but we could still get out and play in it.

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I ran every day with Lola one the trails of the National Park.

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We visited some of the spiritual sites in Crestone. Yeshe Rangsal (self-cognizant wakefulness) lies on Pundarika's 55 acres of secluded retreat land. The Enlightenment Stupa was built in 2007 and a shrine to Dorje Yudronma (protectress of Yeshe Rangsal) was completed in 2010 and consecrated in 2014.

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With a population of 200 people, Crestone is home to several world religions, including Hinduism, Zen, Catholicism, Tibetan Buddhism, and New Age, each with its own (or, in some cases, several) spiritual center. Sitting high above the town, the Crestone Ziggurat is among the most noticeable—and scenic—of the settlement's spiritual structures. Visitors can climb the spiral ramp to the top, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area, making it a perfect spot for reflection and quiet contemplation.

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We also drove by the UFO Watchtower.

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On Monday, we woke up to sunny skies and decided to go to The Great Sand Dunes National Park. The last time we visited was in 2015 and it was really hot. This time was a bit different.

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Some of the sand was still visible but the dunes were mostly covered in snow. It was weird walking in it. It was so soft and the sand almost felt like clay. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold outside. The sun reflected off of the snow and made it pretty warm.

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We had fun rolling down the dunes, making big snowballs, making snowmen, and having snowball fights.

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Crestone and The Great Sand Dunes National Park were a great distraction from the stress and busyness of our daily lives.

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