"Fernweh" is a German word meaning "farsickness" or a longing for distant places, often those you haven't yet visited. From this meaning, we understand why Fernweh Guided Expeditions has a bright future, always looking Far for New Adventure.
The Wings, Wheels, and Wild Skies Event was an experience by Fernweh Guided Expeditions like no other. The event was outstanding from the moment we arrived in Alamosa, Colorado, to the moment we departed Sand Dunes National Park and closed out the event.
The group started the event in Alamosa with a great lunch and photography instruction provided by Mike Endres from Little Wing Photography. Next, we left for the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, where we took in the beautiful landscape and watched and photographed the Sandhill Crane, which famously visits this area yearly for a 6-week stopover to rest and refuel before continuing their northward spring migration. Later in the day, we headed for camp, which, unbeknownst to us at the time, we were in for a blizzard and cold temperatures later. Luckily for the group, we could relax and enjoy the gracious feast provided by Fernweh, Joel Hempel, and Kelley Ferguson, which was outstanding.
A Lesson I learned the first night at camp via text message with our esteemed Adam Donaldson is if the WiFi Name for our Rixen Heater isn't presenting as an available name, your glycol pump is dead. Thanks to Fernweh for bringing a spare Van and allowing us to use it for sleeping.
Day 2 started just before sunrise, and we made a second trip to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge for additional time to view the Sandhill Cranes and other birds. After some time there, we took a short drive to another location, looking for additional views of the wonderful birds, of which we saw redtail hawks, horned owls, and many others. Later in the day, we headed to Zapata Falls Camp Ground to set up camp, relax, and have lunch. After relaxing and refueling our bodies, we set out to visit Zapata Falls, a hidden, 30-foot waterfall (Frozen this time of year) near the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado, south of Great Sand Dunes National Park, accessible by a short, rocky hike close to the campground. That evening, Joel and Kelley prepped another fantastic meal for the group of Tacos chicken, beef, and shrimp, which was so good. After dinner, we finished the night at the campfire as we should, talking and enjoying each other's company. It was a wonderful day!
Day 3 started with a Birthday Celebration for STO Family Member Liz McGrath. This included a great breakfast prepared by Joel and Kelley with champagne, which the entire group enjoyed. After cleaning up and organizing the camp for departure, we headed out for our visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The park is one of my favorite places to visit often. I live here in Colorado, and it never disappoints no matter when you choose to visit. After hiking around the Park, we concluded this adventure and headed out as a group.
BIG Thanks to Fernweh Guided Expeditions for setting up the event and providing a Great Experience. I bet everyone is a little "farsick” for the Next Adventure.
