Day 8: The Return to Kansas
The high winds kept any of us from sleeping well on the last night of the trip. After I woke up at 4 AM, I never fully fell back asleep. So, I rolled out of bed and got an early start in packing up our campsite. As I worked, it began to snow…
Snow on the Dunes
Shane and my dad joined me around 5:30 AM. Light snow continued to fall as we deconstructed our tents and repacked the cars.
On the way out, we noticed that snow had blanketed the dunefield. The view was stunning: the dunes suddenly resembled a distant planet. I requested for my dad to pull over (twice) for me to take a photo. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen.
Once exiting the national park, we drove 1.5 hours to a diner in Walsenburg. The spot – H&H Diner – was a cute hole-in-the-wall spot with delicious food and a chill vibe. We inhaled some breakfast burritos and pancakes, a fitting reward after 12 miles of hiking the day before. After this, my dad and I bid farewell to Shane before beginning the long journey back across Kansas.
31 national parks down, 32 to go…
In Conclusion
What. A. Trip.
According to my Garmin Fenix 6 Pro, I took 155,304 steps – totaling 82.7 miles – during the 8 days of our trip. It was a long, exhausting, and unforgettable trip. We visited 4 national parks and a confection of other amazing locations, completing a comprehensive tour of the American Southwest.
I was proud of my dad. He’d never embarked on a trip like this before, but he succeeded triumphantly in the many hikes, nights of camping, and hours of driving we underwent. At 62 years old, he impressed me with his physical capabilities and resilience.
More importantly, it was fantastic to spend so much 1-on-1 time with my dad before my upcoming wedding. I felt like we bonded in a way that we hadn’t for most of my life, and it brought me great joy to see how much he enjoyed the many places we explored.
The Great 2023 Father-Son Southwest Road Trip was a resounding success.
Now, it’s your turn! The American Southwest is a diverse and beautiful landscape filled with national parks and other jaw-dropping locales. Though my dad and I saw a lot on our trip, we only touched the tip of the iceberg. I hope this trip inspires you to embark on similar adventures. There are hundreds of potential itineraries you could follow – catered to your interests and physical ability – all achievable with simply a car, the proper gear, and a bit of willpower. Feel free to reach out with questions, as I’m always happy to offer suggestions or pointers.
Happy travels!
— Paul