When I was in the early stages of planning my trip to Colorado, I was looking to see what was the nearest place I could find to Great Sand Dunes National Park. My only wish was to sandboard and I believed I would be doing this trip solo. When I told my daughter about what I was thinking she jumped on board. We both have tons of Southwest points and some vacation time. Crestone popped up as a good place via google maps and Airbnb to begin our search. The first place I found I sent to my daughter as a joke but she booked it for us! This place was unlike anything I have ever seen.

This is called the "Hobbitat" and if you think the outside looks cool, you should see the inside.

Everything about the space coincided with the sun and stars. There was a morning meditation room and 2 roof top patios for viewing the millions of stars that can be seen due to this part of the country being designated Dark Sky.

Our hosts pointed out that we had to turn this projector on. I loved it so much I bought one!

With this being Colorado there was no A/C and the kitchen consisted of a hot plate, microwave, small fridge and a sink. We were told not to run all of that at the same time or the breakers might trip!

The entire area was absolutely gorgeous...and weird. On our way from the airport I was stopped by a police officer about 30 minutes away. I was trying to figure out the cruise control on the rental as I knew I was having a tendency to speed down these long straight roads. The cop was very cool and asked where we were headed. I said Crestone and he replied, " that is a really interesting place". Truer words were never spoken!

You have to want to get to Crestone. It is nowhere near anything, even great Sand Dunes is almost an hour from here. Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it felt like I was pulled here spiritually.

At 7,500 feet in elevation and ringed on three sides by mountains, Crestone is both beautiful and isolated, subject to extremes of weather, wind, and temperature. It includes an amazing array of spiritual sites: more than two dozen ashrams, monasteries, temples, retreat centers, stupas, labyrinths, and other sacred landmarks. There’s even a ziggurat, a structure modeled on the temples of ancient Babylon, which is pictured above.

Crestone itself has just 150 people and the entire county has only 6,100. Centers here represent faiths that include Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Native American spiritual traditions, and a variety of New Age beliefs.

Quirkiness runs throughout. While people have to get a permit to build, they don’t have to follow many regulations on how things get constructed. As a result the buildings here are a glorious hodgepodge of architectural styles. Solar and other forms of alternative energy are popular, and the community has attracted many artists and healers as well as spiritual seekers.

North of Great Sand Dunes N.P and just before hitting the Baca there is the infamous UFO watchtower. Claims of 163 sightings just from this spot since the land owner opened the space to the public. She says to have seen 27 herself. There is a platform for watching, camping is allowed and a Vortex Garden where it is said if you walk around it you will feel the energy of the place and if you leave something good things will happen to you.

Crestone is not without its many mysteries. While visiting a friend recommended a podcast to listen to about the area. We spent the rest of our trip listening to it every time we were in the car. I highly recommend this.

Season 2 of Up and Vanished

Whether you believe or not, there is a pull in this place. Full of magic and wonder, peace and tranquility.