2008-04-10
White Sands
by laura beth
I remember seeing photos of White Sands National Monument, but had shoved those images away until, on our way to Roswell, we noticed the landscape spread out before us like so much...well, white sand. Before too long, we passed the entrance to the park and had to turn around. We poked around in the gift shop for a while (I bought a great handmade Native American and Mexican cookbook, by a man that spent 30 years learning the authentic recipes), then drove on in to the dunes around 1:30. We noticed a funny sign indicating that alcohol is not allowed within the park between February 1 and May 31. We thought that was odd.
At about 2:00 or so the wind picked up. Then it picked up even more. Then it got crazy. At first you could see the horizon, you could tell the sand from the sky. Then suddenly, everything was white. We ran to the moho, and safely drove out. Back in the visitor's center we asked about the wind. Apparently there are strong winds in parts of southern New Mexico and Texas in the spring. They usually start blowing in the afternoon, around 2:00. Hoorah for us and our timing. At least we got to spend about a half an hour in the park itself.
The park is gorgeous. 275 square miles of gypsum (drywall, chalk, etc) sand. Once you drive in a ways, it is white for as far as the eye can see. There were a few yucca plants here and there, and there are some sweet picnic shelters. You can hike trails and there are ranger guided activities. There is animal life in the dunes, which is crazy because there is virtually no fresh water, and the dome dunes can move up to 30 feet per year. It is an amazing place. Go there.
I remember seeing photos of White Sands National Monument, but had shoved those images away until, on our way to Roswell, we noticed the landscape spread out before us like so much...well, white sand. Before too long, we passed the entrance to the park and had to turn around. We poked around in the gift shop for a while (I bought a great handmade Native American and Mexican cookbook, by a man that spent 30 years learning the authentic recipes), then drove on in to the dunes around 1:30. We noticed a funny sign indicating that alcohol is not allowed within the park between February 1 and May 31. We thought that was odd.
At about 2:00 or so the wind picked up. Then it picked up even more. Then it got crazy. At first you could see the horizon, you could tell the sand from the sky. Then suddenly, everything was white. We ran to the moho, and safely drove out. Back in the visitor's center we asked about the wind. Apparently there are strong winds in parts of southern New Mexico and Texas in the spring. They usually start blowing in the afternoon, around 2:00. Hoorah for us and our timing. At least we got to spend about a half an hour in the park itself.
The park is gorgeous. 275 square miles of gypsum (drywall, chalk, etc) sand. Once you drive in a ways, it is white for as far as the eye can see. There were a few yucca plants here and there, and there are some sweet picnic shelters. You can hike trails and there are ranger guided activities. There is animal life in the dunes, which is crazy because there is virtually no fresh water, and the dome dunes can move up to 30 feet per year. It is an amazing place. Go there.
Where did all the sand come from? (2:39)
Sliding down the dunes (0:17)
Sliding down the dunes (0:17)
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