Being “stuck” near Las Cruces and El Paso took a turn for the better yesterday.
Just over the mountain from Las Cruces, we followed the signs to the White Sands Missile Range Park, Museum and Gift Shop. Warning signs along the way, were enough to rattle us… no photos, no explosive materials, no alcohol, no stopping, stay on road at all times, vehicles subject to inspection, ground may be contaminated, check-in at gate!
In the end, the museum was closed for the weekend, and we were too gun shy to venture beyond the unmanned check-point. We caught a glimpse of the Missile Park in the distance. It looked like a compact garden with giant missiles sprouting from the desert floor.
White Sands National Monument
We headed northeast to White Sands National Monument, a rare desert of gypsum sand dunes. The pale dunes resemble snow drifts, and we had to remind ourselves that it was 50+ degrees outside as we watched wee children sled down the giant drifts.
Corey and I hiked the one-mile, signposted trail. Later, mom joined us on the boardwalk nature hike. The signs at the start of the walk warned us that the recycled materials used to produce the boardwalk could cause us to collect static electricity and get an uncomfortable, but harmless shock as we walked. They weren’t kidding. If we ran our hands along the rail, we got one kicker of shock every ten feet or so. Zapp! Ouch!
At the picnic area, we cooked up some mac and cheese. Afterwards, mom and climbed the sand dune where she attempted to make a sand angel as well as climb on her hands and knees to the very edge of the dune. We laughed until our bellies hurt.
It’s hard to believe that with National Parks like this, so many families insist on multiple trips to amusement parks instead. My vote… visit a National Park.
In RV news, we spent the afternoon at Mack Massey Dodge in El Paso. They changed our oil, replaced the faulty part, but the sensor issue reappeared. We’ll be back there first thing in the morning… I think they’ll be just as happy to see us leave as we’ll be to hit the road.
Click the Play button below for our slide show from the park >>
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi guys,
I’m just catching up with your blog! My good friend Sammie lives in Las Cruces with her 9 year old daughter, Alex, and husband, Jay. We’ve visited them a few times – what a great town! And the white sands are beyond belief…I actually rode a saucer down the hill and whiped-out…probably adding to my continuous back problems! Give Pat a hug, and tell her that she looks gorgeous on the photos! miss ya!