White out conditions!

Las Cruces, NM

OK, once again I’ve used a title to hopefully catch your attention. More on the white out later….

Today was State number 5 for my trailer as “we’ve” entered New Mexico. I left Tucson this morning, having not done all that there is to do or that I wanted to do but really, I’ve got a lot of miles to go and I can’t stay everywhere for days on end. I rolled into Las Cruces at about 1:30 with every intention of doing laundry, getting caught up on email, cleaning the floor, etc. But the KOA staff were so helpful and enthusiastic about some things to do around Las Cruces that I forgot the chores and went off exploring. I’m really glad that I was off the road with my trailer because the wind picked up almost as soon as I pulled in. It’s picked up even more this evening. If it’s still like this tomorrow, I won’t be going anywhere.

After I was set up with just the basics, I headed out Highway 70 north to White Sands National Monument. You’ll probably recognize the name White Sands because of the Missile Launching site there. They are both in a valley, just an hour or so north east of Las Cruces. I chose the National Monument over the missile launching site, although there is a museum to visit there for those so inclined. (Most ham radio operators I would imagine would be thrilled to see it, but really, I’m thankfully not like most ham radio operators.).

By now you will have realized the white out I referred to was sand and not snow, although it was only between 5 – 10 degrees out there and really, really windy. This National Park covering 275 square miles is a unique experience. The sand is unbelievably white (caused by the gypsum content) so while it would have been nice to see it on a sunny day, I think I should be glad it was overcast, because even with the clouds, my face is a little pink tonight. That could also be from the free dermabrasion I got from blowing sand.

The dunes are huge, some 50 feet high, and have a high moisture content which keeps all but a small amount of the surface sand from blowing away. I can attest to that because when I sat down to remove my shoe for the money shot you’ll see here, I could feel the moisture on my butt. They sell sleds to use on the dunes at the visitor centre. If it was a calm, warm day it would be great fun. After watching the sun set over the San Andreas Mountains I headed back covered in sand but loving it.

The other spot in the area that I had been told not to miss is Messila, which is an old town just south of Las Cruces. I stopped there on my way back from White Sands when the shops were closed and it was dark so I didn’t get the full experience but from what I saw it was a neat area in which to spend some time. There is a small plaza (a national historic landmark) with the usual Basilica surrounded with shops and restaurants. Around the area there seemed to be a few high end resort type hotels. There is some interesting history involving Billy the Kid visits to the cantinas of the area, it’s part in the Civil War and the Gadsden Purchase. None of which I got to immerse myself in because it was too late in the day. If it’s still windy tomorrow, maybe I’ll stick around a day as much to my surprise, I really like Las Cruces.