So today was day one of our tour of 7 National Parks on our circuitous route to San Francisco.  The unnecessary government shut down has closed all of the National Parks.  We are meeting lots of foreigners as well as other retired travelers who are being turned away at the entrance.  It is a major inconvenience to those of us traveling, but much more serious for the towns and businesses located near the entrance to the 59 National Parks of the USA.  Moab and Springdale, UT, Carlsbad, NM, Estes Park, CO and Crescent City, CA are but a few of the towns full of businesses that totally depend upon tourists visiting the National Parks.  Last night we had reserved two nights in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado, but left after only one.  We are now on our way to Estes Park, Colorado to visit the closed Rocky Mountain National Park.  If the recent major floods did not do enough damage to the towns, maybe the government shut down will do them in.  They certainly played no role in the childish squabbles of Congress, but they are among those paying the price. Those working in the private sector will not receive any “back pay.”

These two photos were taken about 50 yards from the back of the Dunes Motel at the entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Sunset Dunes

Sunrise Dunes