Toas NM + Pagosa Springs CO

This trip started as a visit to friends and turned into a long road trip filled with stops we didn’t fully plan — which is usually when things get good.

We broke up the drive at Great Sand Dunes National Park, giving the dogs a chance to stretch their legs. The place feels out of place in the best way — massive dunes rising out of nowhere. Hiking them is way harder than it looks, and you don’t need much time there to feel it.

In Taos, we stayed outside of town on a fenced property that the dogs immediately claimed as their own. Even with plenty of space to roam, we stuck to our routine: daily walks, one-on-one time, and slow mornings. That consistency matters, especially on longer trips.

After Taos, we headed to Pagosa Springs. The drive itself was part of the experience, including one of the strangest stops we’ve made — an alligator farm in the middle of nowhere. Road trips have a way of delivering those moments.

Pagosa delivered in a different way. Long sessions at the hot springs, days at Wolf Creek, and plenty of time to recover in between. The dogs settled in easily, and the days found their rhythm.

By the time we headed home, everyone was tired in the right way. Good miles, unexpected stops, and proof that the best trips don’t need to be over planned.