Day 44: Syracuse KS to Great Dunes National Park, Colorado: 252 miles. A New Beginning!

We were on the road when I received a text from my Son, Nick, that his wife, Alyssa, gave birth to my 6th Grandchild today! The text read "Cade Richard Hovik is here! He is 6 pounds 5 oz, 19 inches long and was born at 9:29 a.m. on 9/22/23. Both baby and momma are healthy and happy! 🥰" Cade joins his Big Sister, Alice and Big Brother Owen. My daughter Ashley has 3 Boys, Odin, Ike and Bo. I am one proud Grandpa!

Our day began at the County Fairgrounds in Syracuse Kansas. Janice picked another great boondocking site. Nobody near us, great Dog trails and relatively quiet. We did have a moment when we were going to bed and each of us gave the other the "what's-that-smell stinkeye" only to realize it was the very odiferous Kansas Dairy Air. Just to be safe we both took showers in the morning.

We got up at dawn and were on the road before 8. It was fun to leave the prairie, hit the foothills of Colorado and then climb into the mountains. Lexy did a great job of pulling the Gray Toad up some pretty steep grades although one time she slowed down to 35 mph and I was afraid Janice and I were going to help by "Flintstoning" 

We got to the Great Sand Dunes National Park area and found a great boondocking site near an old quarry near BLM Land. We decoupled the Honda and headed to the Park. It is absolutely spectacular and, unlike most National Parks, Dogs are allowed on several trails. The Park is one of our favorite National Parks yet. Our camping spot is very secluded with great views of the mountains and has cell reception so I could do my blog!