To see the previous posts from this cross-country trip, click here Land Trips | Cruising “C Ghost”
We drove from Ft. Stockton Texas to Las Cruces New Mexico today. We took Route 10 which parallels the border between the USA and Chihuahua, Mexico. Apparently, we were QUITE close, as at one point, both our phones chimed, and the message appeared: “Welcome to Mexico!” We were actually able to glimpse a portion of the border wall. We went through El Paso Texas as well.
While our overnight destination was Las Cruces, we made time to stop at White Sands National Park. This park consists of seemingly endless dunes of gypsum (the same stuff drywall is made of). It is the largest natural gypsum deposit in the world.
In addition to the national park, White Sands is also home to the Army’s missile test range. It gained fame in 1945 for being the site of the 1st ever detonation (test) of a nuclear bomb. It made the headlines again in 1982 when the Space Shuttle Columbia landed there after the 3rd shuttle mission.
In the hot sunshine (95°F), the reflection off the dunes was nearly blinding. A few plants, like the yucca, hoary rosemary mint, skunkbush sumac, and Rio Grande cottonwood can survive, as well as several species of pale lizards, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes. Most creatures are nocturnal, and the park guide says 800 species make their homes in the dunes.
Many people seemed to treat White Sands as a beach, with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas alongside of picnic baskets and coolers. The adults rested in the chaise lounges, while kids slid down the sides of the dune in snow pans.
The cloud formations over the dunes and mountains were amazing, and as we left the park we were able to see sheets of rain shining silver in the sun and drenching the mountains in the distance.
We rested a little upon arriving at Las Cruces, then ate at an Olive Garden, which happily was open despite the 4th of July holiday. We had a good dinner, and our waiter made us a special 4th of July plate. We drove around the town center which looked prosperous, clean, and upbeat. It rained a little, not hard nor long. We were lucky to see it as Las Cruces only gets about 9 inches of rain per year.
One Response
We are really enjoying your great photos/sceneries and posts. So glad good weather is with you. Like seeing either or both of you in the photos.
Love you both, Dad and Mom C.