Our 2018-2019 winter in Florida officially
wrapped up at the end of April, when we started heading back to the west coast to
reconnect with family and friends. It wouldn’t be a straight shot there, as we
had stops to make in Fort Smith to visit with Dan’s brother and cousins, a stop
in Chanute, Kansas for trailer maintenance, and a stop in Anthony Texas for
trailer repairs, stretching the trip to over three weeks. While we were in
Anthony, we had to leave the trailer at the shop for three days, so on one of
those days we drove to The White Sands National Monument, in New Mexico, about
75 miles from where we were staying.
Rising from the Tularosa Basin, and engulfing
275 square miles of desert, these glistening White Sands comprise the world’s
largest gypsum dune field. Typically, gypsum is rarely found as sand because it
dissolves in contact with water. But the isolation and weather patterns of the
Tularosa Basin creates a unique environment allowing these waving dunes of
white powder. Unlike dunes made of quartz-based sand crystals, the gypsum does
not readily convert the sun’s energy into heat, and can be walked upon safely with
bare feet, even in the hottest summer months. Visitors can hike on multiple trails,
partake in education ranger-led programs, and even sled down the dunes in a few
designated places.
Any little bit of color from wildflowers,
shrubbery, cactus flowers, birds, and bugs really stand out in such a stark
environment, catching your eye with the sharp contrast it creates. The day gave
us beautiful blue skies, big white puffy clouds, and a gentle breeze. The
temperature was warm, just edging on hot, hinting at the extreme temperatures
sure to be found just a few wakes later. We enjoyed our short visit to White
Sands and were glad we set aside a day to visit.
