Montana Trip - Day 3

[restless sleep - up early and saw wonderful view of stars and (later), sunrise... - should have taken a shower again, but didn't and then the owner turned off the water to work on his well - (0800) back to Volcano - bought park pass - drove to top and then hiked around the rim (1.0 miles) - echo - elevation (8,200 feet) getting to me, but I made it - beautiful views - back on the road (west on US-64/87) to Raton (looking for an oil change place - no luck) - instead, used I-25 south to US-64 and then headed over to the Enchanted Circle - passed NRA site - arrived in Cimmaron around 1045 - found a place for an oil change - meanwhile, walked to post office - back to pick up my car, nice chat with workers - lunch at Heck's Hungry Traveler (Heck-of-a-Burger with chopped green chili) - back on the road - drove through Cimmaron Canyon - rock faces (Palisades Sill), cool running water (very pleasant), deer along road - came to Eagle Nest and chatted with (Texan) welcome center owner - he suggested I drive north on Enchanted Circle to see Red River and Questa - it was a good choice (nice mountain communities) - had some rain (wipers...) - arrived in Taos from the north - got gas - couldn't get into town (traffic jam) - attempted to visit Taos Pueblo (closed) - finally gave up and left town on US-64 - stopped at Taos Gorge (Rio Grande River) - vendors and bridge repair - walked across for photos - drove across and stopped at a rest area for a bit (more photos, hiking) - US-64 all the way to US-285 (biotechture) - then north into Colorado - awesome views of Taos Plateau and mountains - stopped for a bit in Antonito (railroad National Monument) - continued north to Alamosa - help from lady at visitor center - drove out on CO-17 to Mosca and then [CO-6] to Great Sand Dune National Park - visitor center (German lady working there, speaking with tourists) - on their recommendation, headed back to Zapata Falls - 3.6 mile drive on bumpy gravel road then 1/4 mile hike - stunning views of valley and dunes - (recommendation of other hikers) had to wade into water to be able to see the falls, but worth it! - on way back down saw spectacular view of valley (bison herd) - drove back towards dunes (tired), so stopped at the Oasis and found a room at their Lodge - had dinner at the little restaurant (just before they closed) - Navajo taco (mmmm) and beer - watched sunset (1930) - great conversation about town with High School Senior (school K-12 with 375 students, area population, farmers salting clouds, Rio Grande source, etc.) - back to lodge - went swimming in the pool - relaxing - bed around 2300.]