Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado

On June 4, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Colorado6 Comments

Located about 30 miles outside the town of Alamosa in Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes are a fascinating feature that has been created by nature over thousands of years. The giant sand dunes sitting at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains highlight the diversity of habitats in southwestern Colorado, which ranges from wetlands, prairies, mountains, and forests. The sand dunes seem oddly out of place, it is almost as if a piece of the Middle East was scooped up and dropped in the mountain valley. The reality is that they were created after a large lake dried up thousands of years ago and the wind drove the sand to the base of the mountains.

The People Give Perspective to the Size of the Dunes

Although this year the mountains did not receive a lot of snow and therefore the runoff was minimal, usually there is a river or stream running at the base of the sand dunes, making the contrast even more interesting. One of the good things about the stream not being there was that we didn’t have to get our feet wet in order to get to the base of the dunes, but the bad part was that it was even more sand to walk through in the heat of the sun. It is not easy walking in the sand and even harder walking up the steep sides of the dunes. They may not seem as large from the distance, but the actual peaks of the dunes can be as high as 750 feet (230 meters).

As more and more people visit the dunes, one of the most popular things to do is to bring a sandboard and go sandboarding. People will spend hours climbing to the top and then boarding their way back down. Just to reach the top is difficult, so to do it over and over again in order to shred the sand is a real achievement. It also means that you will be surrounded by plenty of crowds as people flock to the area. There is camping nearby and you will find and endless array of motorhomes and RV’s. Since it is a national park, you can expect to pay $20 per vehicle to get into the park, which is good for seven days.

It took us about three hours to drive from Colorado Springs to the Great Sand Dunes, but it is well worth the drive. We hadn’t been to the sand dunes for over twenty years, so it was also a little bit nostalgic for us as we remembered bringing our young children there to play in the sand. We only spent a couple of hours at the sand dunes as climbing the hills is very exhausting and hard on the legs. Even though we were walking in the Sahara Desert only a few weeks ago, visiting this unique place in Colorado was really something special.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

On April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Walt Disney World6 Comments

The Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so it is probably fitting that we visited on our 20th wedding anniversary several years ago. There are so many things to see at Walt Disney World, but Animal Kingdom is pretty unique because it combines the excitement of a safari with the things that you would expect from Disney such as thrill rides, characters, and fantasy come to life. Obviously, the attractions have likely changed some since our visit, but the heart of the adventure remains the same, which are the animals within the park.

Clearly it isn’t the same as a real safari, but unlike going on a safari in Africa, you are guaranteed to see all of the various animals in an environment that feels very authentic. Although the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, which is an open air vehicle ride among the animals, is the highlight of the park, there are plenty of other things to see. Second on the list of things that must be done is Expedition Everest. The main attraction is the rollercoaster-style ride, which is definitely thrilling with its Abominable Snowman encounter. Even though we went without children, Dinoland is definitely another part of the park that will be fun for people of all ages. Finally, Conservation Station provides more animal encounters along with a learning experience that the kids won’t find boring.

We spent a single, full day in the theme park and felt that we were able to thoroughly explore the park, but it could certainly be visited more than once during a trip to Disney World. For those that love the parades with all of the Disney characters, don’t worry, there are definitely fun parades that are unique and different than those that you see in the other theme parks. We would certainly recommend going to each of the different theme parks in Walt Disney World, but visiting the Animal Kingdom will be an experience that you will certainly enjoy due to its uniqueness.

Puerto Vallarta – Something for Everyone

On April 16, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Mexico5 Comments

Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Coast in Mexico, has a wide variety of activities that will suit anyone’s vacation style. Especially for those who live in the western half of the United States, Puerto Vallarta is an easy destination to reach with flights that are convenient and typically affordable. Obviously, it is a resort area with plenty of resorts that range from five star, all-inclusive, resorts to more humble places to stay. Most places do not require you to purchase an all-inclusive meal plan and with the abundance of restaurants in the downtown area, we would recommend that you don’t so that you can spend more time dining out.

Whether you just want to sit on the beach with your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand or you want to fly through the jungle, there are activities for everyone. Obviously, there are the typical beach activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and paddle boarding, which you can get from almost any of the beaches in the area. If you are more adventurous, you can go snorkeling or diving in the beautiful blue water of the Pacific Ocean. You can also charter a boat to go deep sea fishing or, during December and January, you can take a tour to go whale watching. For a more relaxing time, there are plenty of dinner cruise options from private catamarans for a romantic dinner, a sunset cruise with drinks and music, or a fine dining experience that will take you on a tour along the coast. There are pirate ships with raucous shows that are fun for everyone or you can take a ship to an island to watch a performance tracing the history of the people who settled the area followed by torch-lit dinner on the beach.

If you are even more daring, you can go zip-lining in the jungle across deep mountain ravines, including the location where the movie Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger was filmed. You can also rent ATV’s and roar through the forest and along one of the many streams in the area. There are tours that will take you hiking in the hills that surround the city or take you on an off-road experience with a professional driver. If you enjoy golf, there are several courses in the area for you to play a few holes while enjoying the beautiful views. Needless to say, there are also plenty of stores and restaurants to explore and depending upon the time of year, many of them offer drink specials and discounts that you can get from your resort. There is also a thriving art district where you can find something a little more special to bring back home with you if that is something that you desire.

Regardless of your vacation style, Puerto Vallarta has something that will meet your needs. With a variety of beautiful beaches, the historic downtown area with the Zona Romantica, a boardwalk area with small restaurants and pubs that look out onto the ocean, you can do something different on every day of your vacation. Don’t forget to take time to relax, though, as that is the main reason to head to the beach for vacation. Take time to sip on a margarita and simply watch the waves crash on the beach and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.