[cogitator]

Is somebody that's crazy about big piles of sand a dunatic?

[cogitator]

** ping **

[dirtboy]

I've been there. You've got a big valley to the west, the only desert in Colorado, and a very high, steep mountain range with one low spot. The winds blow across the valley, pick up sand, and then drop it as they are funnelled to the low spot and lifted upwards.

Some of the dunes are 700 feet high.

[r9etb]

The Sand Dunes are a great place to visit around Mother's Day. Medano Creek is running then, and it's a blast to play in.

The most fascinating aspect of the area -- at least during spring, when I've been there -- is the effect of sunlight on the sand and water temperature. As long as the sun is out, they're warm. As soon as the sun goes behind clouds, though, the water gets icy cold.

[PoorMuttly]

Looks like Elvis.

[jrawk]

White Sands doesn't have dunes as big, but it is a better party! Try on a full moon when the park stays open until midnight.

-- lates
-- jrawk

[cogitator]

I thought you (members of the ping list) might be interested in the similarities of the Mars Image of the Day (link below) to the Great Sand Dunes crater image.

Intracrater Dune Field

Make sure to click on the image to see the large version, which was too big to post here.