This began as a single, one-part, Post. Then it got away from me and I decided to make it a two part Post.
In this Part 1 of 2, we are going to explain what took Patti and me to White Sands. We will show some of Alamogordo, NM, where we stayed 8 nights. We will take you to the Visitor's Center and explore it.
In Part of 2, you will see what you came here to see, white sand.
And? More white sand.
This visit to the White Sands National Monument began when Patti and I were in Lompoc, California, visiting my son David, early last March of 2017.
It began when Windows 10 showed a full screen photo of magnificent white sand dunes on my laptop.
I did not know exactly what we were looking at but, by clicking on the photo, I was able to find out we were looking at the sand dunes in the White Sands National Monument.
In the proverbial 'nutshell' I said to Patti ..
"Would you like to go to White Sands and see the sand dunes?"
Patti said that yes, she would like to visit White Sands. So 'the-die-was-cast' and the two of us 'set-sail' for Alamogordo, New Mexico.
And out and off the two of us went. I-10 East, Phoenix to Tucson, Arizona and then on to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Then US 70 East to Alamogordo.
I wanted to pronounce Alamogordo as .. Ala ma gordo. But it is spelled as Alamo gordo like The Alamo in Texas. BUT, in the final analysis, my first guess was correct. It is pronounced with the 'a' sound .. Alamagordo.
The two of us both really enjoyed Alamogordo.
We both visited the Library a number of times.
We stayed with our old friend, Motel 6.
We enjoyed some very nice meals.
There are two major attractions at White Sands.
You have ..
THE WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE
We did not enter the Missile Range grounds.
And you have the White Sands National Monument.
Patti pointed out to me the white sand dune on the top of the above sign. Do all of you see it? I totally missed it.
The time has come to head for the White Sands National Monument.
We visited White Sands three times on three different days.
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Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Our first visit to White Sands.
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
We have arrived at the White Sands National Monument Visitor's Center.
Warning. You are in the desert. Be careful where you walk.
The Visitor's Center fits beautifully into its surroundings.
Let's look at some of the information around the outside of the Visitor's Center
A closeup of the above sign.
Let's go inside of the Visitor's Center for a look-see.
We enjoyed a short movie.
Yes! There certainly are some touristy items for sale!
The time has come to leave the Visitor's Center and go into the Dune Area.
Oh My.
We came out of the Visitor's Center. We enthusiastically got into our truck ready to explore the Dunes.
Our truck, Black Beauty, would not start.
I called Road Service.
"Dad I am so sorry I let you down."
"Don't worry about it Black Beauty. We will get you all fixed up."
"Here we are Black Beauty. You will be OK."
Below was my home-away-from-home on Wednesday April 19th to Friday April 21st.
Black Beauty's fuel pump gave-up-its-ghost and died.
After my fall in Dubai and the events of the next five months, this was but a blip-on-our-radar-screen.
We returned to White Sands Friday evening the 21st of April.
Time for you to take-a-break or for you to continue to either:
- scroll down to see Part 2 of 2.
- click onto Older Posts.
Much Joy .. Patti and Cap
