Coral Pink Sand Dunes

About 42 miles to the south and east of where we are staying is a Utah State Park called Coral Pink Sand Dunes. It is a fascinating place to look around and if you are into ATVs a great place for riding. Yes the sand does look pink in various light because the sand comes from the colored Navajo sandstone cliffs found in the area.

The larger sand dunes are protected and restricted from either vehicular or foot travel to protect the fragile environment and ecco system. There are some bugs and plants that are unique to this isolated sandy environment.

Deanna and the boys are up on a viewing deck. They had great paved walking trails and this well done observation deck so you could look out into the dunes without getting the fine grains of sand all in your clothes. The grains of sand were almost as fine as talcum powder, really fine.

How does the sand move around you might ask.This information was on one of the placards on the observation deck:

The wind moves the sand by three main processes, surface creep, suspension, and saltation. The larger grains move by surface creep which occurs when a light wind exists and causes the grains to roll across the surface of the dune. Suspension occurs when the wind is strong enough to pick up the sand and carry the grains through the air.

Over 75 percent of the movement of sand grains is through saltation. This is when the wind bounces the sand grains along the surface of the dune field. When a sand grain hits the ground it often dislodges another grain and the process continues.

Saltating sand grains form ripples across the sand dunes. Notice how uniform in pattern the ripples are. The average space between the ripples is equal to the average bounce of a saltating sand grain.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a fascinating place well worth a visit if you are ever in the area.

Changing locations for a moment, on one of our treks around we ended up out west of St George and passed through a small community of Veyo, Utah. There was a gas station, general store, pizzeria, Mexican restaurant, and this pie shop. They claimed to have wonderful pies.

Oops it seems they not only have pies but cinnamon rolls as well. We passed on the decadent looking cinnamon rolls and got a piece of pie which was really great tasting and a wonderful crust. Good place to stop for a snack.




Let us know if you have any questions or comments and be sure and stop in Veyo for a piece of pie or a pastry if you are ever in this area.

All the best - George & Deanna