( definition of 'Monument': a notable building or site, especially one preserved as public property) which was about 60 miles further west from where we were staying.
We had two options, make a day trip of it or pack up and move closer to it. As the monument was in the direction we were going we packed up and made the short journey to a nearby town called Alamogordo. Our intention was to stay at a state park about 15 miles south of the town but when we rang we were advised that the park was booked out. We try to stay at the state or national parks as much as possible as they are reasonably priced and in great locations.
We chose another park in town and booked in for 2 nights.
The beauty of moving further south is that it is also getting warmer - finally! We set up our chairs enjoyed the sunshine!
The White Sands Monument is part of the White Sands Missile Range. The Air Force base that surrounds the park is home to the F 22 Raptor fighter plane and the Stealth bomber. As you drive to the park there are signs advising that the highway will be closed if and when they fire their missiles. Luckily it wasn't missile firing day.
As we drove down from the mountains yesterday we could see a white line in the distance across the middle of the desert - this was the White Sands National Monument
This white 'sand' is in fact gypsum crystals . Normally rain dissolves gypsum however as the park has no outlet to the sea the rain that dissolves gypsum from the surrounding San Andres and Sacramento Mountains is trapped and breaks down into crystals. Obviously this happens over many thousands of years. The park covers an area of 275 square miles and has a number of walking tracks, some primitive camping spots and a loop road through the dunes.
We walked the 1 1/2 mile wildlife trail into the "sand" / "gypsum" dunes along a well defined track.
Sunglasses were a must!
And surprisingly plants do grow there.
The dunes constantly change shape and slowly move downwind encroaching on more and more land as the years go by.
There were quite a few people with sand discs sliding down the dunes, we weren't that organised but did attempt to climb a gypsum hill. We didn't get too far as the gypsum is so slippery.
Sand in My Shoes - good name for a Song (Dido)
As we drove along we could not resist the temptation to bring a little bit of Australia to New Mexico so we let our Mascot out for a walk.
There is even an "Outback" Dunnie!
Day done, back to the trailer to watch the sunset over the mountain ranges. A quick check of the weather channel ( a daily must do) and once again we were in a severe weather warning area - strong winds of up to 50 mph and dust storms predicted. If it's not snow and cold it's wind and dust. There was no way we were going to attempt to tow our 13 foot high trailer in that sort of wind so booked another nights stay and let it pass us by.
A great sunset, before the dust
And then the dust blew in. Within an hour the mountains were not visible at all
Twenty four hours later the dust storm had passed, the wind speed reduced so we headed off to meet up with a couple we had met at El Reno.
Posted by RnR on their IPad
Location:Alamogordo New Mexico
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