Did you know that there are sand dunes in New Mexico? I saw photographs of this beautiful place once, and told Jim that I would love to see it in person. So we made sure that we traveled through that area on our way to Arizona one year.
White Sands National Monument is centered in the bottom 1/3 of the state, and located just west of the town of Alamagordo. It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The dunes are very active, especially in the northeast area of the 275 square miles (115 of which is located within the monument), and can move up to 30 feet a year!
Here is the road driving in.
Now we're getting closer to the dunes. Look at that sand blowing behind that first dune!
I love the way the plants look on the sand, and the shadows that they cast.
One of the desert survivors
I forgot what these are called, but it's more specific than a sand dune. This might not look very big,
but looks can be deceiving! Here's Jim standing next to it!
We drover farther on and was surprised to see that the roads had been "plowed", as if a lot of snow had fallen.
Remember - that's SAND! And to confuse you even more, here are a couple of kids sliding down a sand dune with their little saucer sleds!
In fact, here's a very short video that I took of them slip-sliding down the dune. Remember - it's hot out!
The scenery is just magnificent. Well, you be the judge.
That is your tour for today. Please exit the bus single file. I hope you enjoyed your trip. Oh, and tips are always welcome! :)
18 comments:
Pat I never knew that!What fun the kids are having in that video! Great pictures and a fun post...getting off the bus now...Tiping my hat to you.
Thank you, tour guide lady. That was fun! I went for a ride like Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation" - wheeeeeee!
I can't believe how white that sand is. When you first wrote that these dunes are active, I thought, What the . . .??
Beautiful, so white and pure looking, just like snow.
ha. dune surfing...the desert is really beautifull....
I love it! I'll have to put this place on my list too. And I won't forget the saucers!
Happy Friday
You are so lucky to be able to visit all those places. I wish I had the time and MONEY to do that.
Thanks for the tour, here is you a tip: If its raining out use an umbrella. hehe
It really does look like snow drifts. I'd love to go dune surfing!
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
☼ Sunny
Wow...I haven't been to New Mexico. Thanks for the tour!
You guys are so livin' my dream. Did you ever read Blue Highways by William LeastHeat Moon?
Pat, I always love your beautiful scenic photos. I swear, from far away, it looks like the Arctic. Quite incredible!
That's just amazing!
I always love going on these trips with you...fabulous ;)
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your photos! I love to see your travels.
Fabulous scenery, Pat. I love sand dunes, I remember as a kid clambering through them, getting sand everywhere, feeling the feet slowly sinking as I squealed with delight. Ours are not quite as huge as yours but they seemed so when I was young.
Loved this post! Thanks for that awesome pictorial tour, Pat.
Loving your travels!
Big hugs!
B xx
What beautiful, beautiful pictures - - - and I don't want to exit the bus. I'm not done with the tour and I want to stay in the air-conditioned bus!
Loved the tour, thanks! We have huge sand dunes in Nevada and the wind sometimes moves the mountain from one side of the highway to the other. This takes years, of course. But you have to wonder - what makes those fine sand dunes? Where do they come from?
Well you know i love those White Sands! I watched people sled down the dunes when i was there too. What a cool place! I'd like to go back again soon :)
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