Some travel days feel like turning a page.
Others feel like stepping into an entirely new chapter.
Days 4 and 5 were exactly that — a gentle goodbye to Santa Fe’s quiet elegance, followed by an unexpected encounter with vast, wind-swept sand dunes rising beneath snow-covered mountains. It was a shift in scenery, pace, and feeling — one that reminded us how beautifully unpredictable road trips can be, especially with a toddler.
A Slow Morning & Packing Up in Santa Fe
We woke up to soft morning light filtering through the curtains of our room at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. Santa Fe mornings have a calm that feels almost sacred — the kind that invites you to move slowly, to savor small moments before the road calls again.
Our toddler woke up cheerful, stretching lazily and chatting in her own way, clearly comfortable in this space that had felt like home for the past few nights. There was no rush — just the familiar rhythm of packing, folding clothes, and making sure nothing important was left behind.
Breakfast at Luminaria, inside the resort, felt like the perfect final pause before leaving the city.
We ordered healthy omelets, fluffy pancakes, and a side of crispy potatoes — simple, comforting food that grounded us before a long drive ahead. Outside, Santa Fe was already stirring, but inside the restaurant, everything felt warm and still.
The Magical Stairs at Loretto Chapel
Before leaving town, we made one last stop — Loretto Chapel.
The moment we stepped inside, the space felt different. Calm. Reverent. Almost timeless. Our toddler’s voice softened instinctively as she looked around, her eyes tracing the tall ceilings and warm wooden details.
And then we saw them — the miraculous spiral staircase.
We stood there together, quietly taking it in. The staircase rises without visible support, twisting upward in a way that feels both impossible and poetic. We talked softly about how special it was, how people from all over the world come just to see these stairs.
Our toddler looked up and said it reminded her of something from a storybook — and honestly, that felt like the most accurate description.
“The magical spiral staircase at Loretto Chapel — quiet wonder in Santa Fe.”
Leaving New Mexico Behind
With Santa Fe slowly disappearing in our rearview mirror, we began the drive north toward Alamosa, Colorado.
The landscape changed gradually — desert tones softened into open plains, and distant mountains grew closer with every mile. The sky felt enormous, stretching endlessly above us, and the road felt calm and steady.
Our toddler hummed quietly in her car seat, occasionally pointing out clouds or asking where we were going next. Long drives with a child are never just about distance — they’re about patience, comfort, and making the journey feel safe and familiar.
A Brief, Unexpected Stop at Colorado Gators Reptile Park
We decided to make a spontaneous stop at Colorado Gators Reptile Park — curious, hopeful, and not entirely sure what to expect.
The moment we arrived, it felt unusually quiet. Almost too quiet. We spotted a large bird near the entrance, standing tall and still, watching us as curiously as we watched it. The front desk area appeared unattended, and after waiting briefly, we realized the timing just wasn’t right.
Instead of forcing the visit, we chose to move on — one of those travel moments that reminds you it’s okay to let plans shift.
Arriving in Alamosa — Cold Air & First Signs of Snow
By the time we reached Alamosa, it was around 4 PM, and winter had fully arrived.
The cold hit immediately as we stepped out of the car. Snow patches dotted the ground, clinging to shaded corners and grassy edges. Our toddler stared down at them, pointing and asking questions, fascinated by this new texture beneath her feet.
We checked into our Holiday Inn Express, grateful for the warmth waiting inside. After unpacking, we took a moment to rest — letting the day settle before heading out again.
A Quick Grocery Run & Simple Comfort Food
Later in the evening, I headed to a nearby Walmart to grab groceries for the next day’s adventure.
Eggs, green chilies, cilantro, ready-to-eat sandwiches, and a sand sled — everything we’d need for the Great Sand Dunes.
Back at the hotel, we cooked simple rice and warmed up sandwiches. It wasn’t fancy, but it was comforting — especially after a long drive and cold weather.
That night ended quietly, wrapped in blankets, listening to the faint sounds of winter outside the window.
Day 5 — Great Sand Dunes National Park
A Homemade Breakfast & Early Start
The next morning, I cooked egg fried rice using the groceries from the night before. The smell filled the room, instantly making it feel warmer and more familiar.
After breakfast, we bundled up — layers, jackets, scarves — and started the drive toward Great Sand Dunes National Park.
First Glimpse of the Dunes
Around 10:30 AM, we arrived.
Nothing prepares you for that first view.
Massive sand dunes rise suddenly from the valley floor, backed by snow-covered mountains that seem impossibly close. The contrast is breathtaking — sand and snow, warmth and cold, softness and sharp edges.
“Arriving at Great Sand Dunes National Park — where a long drive turns into a lasting memory.”
The Long Walk to the Dunes
The walk from the parking area to the dunes felt longer than expected — especially with a toddler.
Both my husband and I took turns carrying her, feeling the weight of both her small body and the journey itself. The wind picked up as we walked, carrying fine sand that brushed against our faces.
When we finally reached the base of the dunes, the air grew colder, and the wind stronger. Sand particles flew everywhere, stinging our cheeks.
Our toddler was cranky at first — sand in her eyes, the wind louder than she liked. It took time, patience, and a few comforting hugs for her to adjust.
“The long walk to the dunes — wind, sand, patience, and tiny steps.”
Sliding Down the Dunes — One More Time
Eventually, we climbed higher — up one of the larger dunes.
First, my husband slid down alone, testing the sand. Then he went again — this time with our toddler sitting safely with him. Her laughter filled the air.
“Again!” she said immediately.
That moment — her joy cutting through the wind — made everything worth it.
Then it was my turn. I slid down too, feeling the cold sand rush beneath me, discovering ice hidden beneath the surface in some places.
We stayed there for nearly an hour and a half, soaking in the experience — the vastness, the laughter, the wind, the beauty.
Visitor Center & Quiet Reflection
After returning to the car, we stopped at the visitor center, where I watched a short film about the park’s history. From the visitor center, the view was stunning — golden dunes stretching endlessly, framed by white mountain peaks.
I picked up a small souvenir before we left, a simple reminder of a place that felt larger than words.
“From the visitor center — endless dunes framed by snowy mountain peaks.”
Evening Rest, Bowling & Thai Dinner
Back in Alamosa, we charged the car, rested briefly, and then followed our toddler’s sudden excitement — she wanted to go bowling.
We played a short game nearby, laughing at gutter balls and celebrating tiny victories. Later, we had dinner at a Thai restaurant, warm food bringing the day to a peaceful close.
By the time we returned to the hotel, exhaustion had set in — the good kind.
✨ Travel Tips for Familiesth
- Stay close to Great Sand Dunes to minimize drive time
- Bring goggles or sunglasses — wind and sand can be intense
- Visit mid-morning for the best light
✨ Why These Two Days Matter
Santa Fe reminded us to slow down.
Great Sand Dunes reminded us how small we are in nature’s vastness.
Together, they created a perfect balance — quiet reflection followed by wild beauty.
✨ Closing Reflection
Days 4 and 5 weren’t about checking off places. They were about adjustment — to colder air, longer walks, stronger winds, and deeper moments.
Watching our toddler find joy in sliding down sand dunes, even after tears and discomfort, reminded us why we travel this way. Not for perfection — but for presence.
And as we fell asleep that night, muscles tired and hearts full, we knew this journey was shaping us just as much as we were shaping it.
One step, one dune, one memory at a time.