Camping at the Sand Dunes and Emerald Lake

A few weeks ago Andy and I went camping at Great Sand Dunes National Park (http://www.nps.gov/GRSA/index.htm). Which is truly one of the most amazing places I've ever been. It was so strange to see the huge dunes on the edge of the plains before the mountains. We had been warned by several people to go early in the morning so the sand wasn't lava under our feet. So we drive there on Friday night and camped overnight then got up very early to go hiking. I"m still not sure if we hiked the highest Dune, Star Dune or if it was just the second highest dune, High Dune, reguardless it was an amazing view. (Star Dune peaks at 750ft and High Dune reaches 650ft)

Beautiful light on the drive to the Dunes (a Three hour drive from the Springs) near the Spanish Peaks


Playing with painting with light at the campsite near the Sand Dunes


Dawn coming into our tent at the campsite near the Sand Dunes


Andy and I posing for a picture while hiking on the Sand Dunes early in the morning






View of the Sand Dunes and the mountains from the highest dune we climbed


Andy and I on the Dunes

That afternoon we drove to Crestone planning on camping there for the night, however there were not camping spaces left (they're available on a first come first serve basis) so we're planning on going back later to do this spot and hike.


View of the mountains coming into Crestone

Then we drive to Emerald Lake to spend our second night, a lot more people there, but it was still very pretty!


Emerald Lake


Sunrise at Emerald Lake (Photo Andrew List)


Driving through the South Park on the way home

I hope you enjoy the pictures! More adventures to come!
-Rachel

Location Location Location

Well, after months and months of trying to figure out the major points of the wedding, like say, where the ceremony and reception are going to be held and what day it's going to be- it's all been decided!

We looked at a ton of reception sites around the Columbus area including Smith Bros, Park of Roses, Clintonville Womens Club, North Bank Park Pavilion, Confluence Park Restaurant, Franklin Park Conservatory, and many others. There was always something about each of these places that didn't quite fit what we needed, whether it was a price issue, or space issue, or something else.

The Ceremony site was easier. We talked about having it at several different locations (some of which were previously mentioned). We knew we wanted an outdoor ceremony but I really wanted to have trees and a lot of the park locations were centered around a cheesy gazebo or something like it and that just didn't work for me. Finally we went back to my family's home in Delaware, Ohio and walked around the yard. As most of your reading this blog know, many of our family members have been married at "the farm" including my parents. Now there is going to be one more wedding there! We found the perfect spot under a sycamore tree below the garden.

Now our attention was turned back to reception site, but after a lot of work and research a solution presented itself- why not just rent a tent and have the reception at the farm too? Perfect! an option which is within our budget and allows us to pick whatever day we want and decorate however we want!

We are so excited and incredibly busy now that this decision has been made! There's still a ton of work to be done but things are moving along beautifully! My parents have been working on the yard like crazy- for those of you who haven't been there in the past month you're going to be stunned at the changes. Check out some of the pictures they've been sending me!


stone work done by my dad between the house and the pool fence


stone work creating a new planting bed by the turn around


another view of the new planting bed by the turn around


stone wall replacement for the railroad ties that used to be the edge of this planting bed at the bottom of the garden


The sycamore tree we decided to get married under! notice the hill behind it- remember all the old dead trees and bushes that used to be there? All gone!



Another view of the tree and the lower garden


do you remember this? If you do then you've known me a long time or have been coming to the farm for a long time because this old stone staircase grew over years ago.



My parents uncovered this to solve an issue we were having with the ceremony- how to get me from the house to the ceremony site without Andy seeing me or it being an strange processional. Being able to come from the house then take this stair case down to the valley then come around the the ceremony site is perfect! My dad is going to redo the stairs so they aren't so irregular (we don't want me tripping in my dress)

The same staircase viewed from the top looking down. I know that it looks pretty dangerous from here but it'll be taken care of.


more stone work from my Dad

Thanks so so so much Mom and Dad for doing all this yard work! The house is going to look amazing for next year and I am so happy to be getting married there!

Everybody- check back soon! I'll be updating this much more frequently with not only wedding stuff but also what Andy and I have been up to in Colorado! I hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see you all again soon!

-Rachel