White Sands National Monument

Left Roswell this morning at 9:00 with the usual wind and a temp in the low 30's.  The destination is Las Cruces today which is only 190 miles. Decided to stop at the White Sands National Monument to scope it out for a return visit the next day.  

The White Sands tourist centre

Got into Coachlight RV Park for $37.00 for 2 nights.  Another PA park.

A motel in the front with RVs in the back.  Motel looked almost empty and restaurant was closed.
Think the RV portion is keeping the lights on, so to speak.

Next morning we were on the road by 8:00 to drive the hour back to White Sands.  Cool and windy this morning and after driving through the mountain range the temp dropped even further to the low 50's.  The Military has a missile test range next to the Monument and when they are practicing everything closes, including the highway.

White Sands is definitely worth the stop.  Once you drive into the dunes all you can see is white sand dunes framed by mountains in the background.  Unfortunately heavy cloud cover reduced the impact of the scenery somewhat.  

The road looked snow covered surrounded by huge snow drifts. The washrooms and picnic areas looked like ice fishing shacks on the red river at Lockport.  

Went for an hour hike over the dunes and between preparing for the trip and then driving for 6 days it's the first exercise I've had in a while.  I will feel it tomorrow.  We didn't think dogs would be allowed but turns out leashed dogs were permitted.  Too bad we left Charli in the trailer as she  needs the exercise as much as us.  Was a great day and if in the neighbourhood again we will definitely stop in for another visit.

Shadows created by the clouds passing over the mountains

A look from the top of the mountain range between Las Cruces and White Sands

Just our for a stroll 

Some interesting shapes left by the shifting sands 

All bundled up.   

The road looks like an ice road up north.
Got out of the truck and half expected my foot to slip.
Was like velcro.    

Ice Fishing shack on the Red River??
No. Outhouse and Barbecue pit  

On a sunny day this would have been stunning. 

Climbing up the dunes.
One step up, slide 1/2 step down.
A real workout 

Lori thought this would be safer than trying to walk down the dune 

Its hard sliding on sand. 

The cactus get buried in the sand.
They send up these shoots so the plant can breath
and get nutrition from the sun. 

Phoned Tucson and they can get us into our site a few days early.  We will make the drive tomorrow and then we are there till Dec 15.  Will be nice to be in one place for awhile.  Can finally get unpacked and organized.  Tucson is well west of the Arctic blast that the rest of the Midwest is experiencing and temps are forecast in the mid 70's during the day and mid 50's at night.  

Later.