When I think of National Parks, I think of pristine wilderness, wildlife viewing and hikes along peaceful trails. Missiles are not something that come to mind. But, White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico is surrounded by and part of the White Sands Missile Range. The 275 square miles of gypsum dunes are shared by tourists and missile experts.
Despite the fact that it had been established as a National Monument in 1933, the area was used to test rockets captured from German forces after World War II and continues to be used for the testing of experimental weapons and space technology. This unusual dual use of public lands leaves me scratching my head but we decided to give it a go anyway.
Whites Sands is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and has been evolving for the past 10,000 years. It begins in the surrounding mountains where the gypsum is dissolved by rainwater and snow and is carried into the Tularosa Basin below. The water then seeps into the ground or evaporates leaving gypsum in the form of translucent crystals called selenite. These fragile crystals get blown by the winds and broken down into the pure white sand particles we see forming the dunes today.
left: Looking for “selenite crystals” in the playa(dry lakebed).
above: The Dudes working on another ranger badge.
It is a bizarre world of white. Even the lizards, mice, insects and fox inhabiting the dunes are white. There are a few hiking trails but the real fun comes with the purchase of a saucer from the visitors center. Not the kind of saucer that allegedly flies in the sky or the kind you find under a teacup but the kind you sled down snowy slopes with. They were made of metal when I was a kid but plastic is the choice material these days.
left: Waxing the saucer so it will go really fast.
right: Ready to “fly”.
left: Ready……
right: Set…….
left: Wheeeee!
We purchased our saucer then drove around until we found the tallest dune we could find. When it comes to sledding hills, the bigger, the better! We found a great one and the Dudes spent 2 hours experimenting with different ways of flying down the hill; forward, backward, belly-up, belly-down and all very fast. The Big Dude held the record for the furthest ride all the way into the adjacent parking area.
right: Mommy goes for a ride.
left: backwards?
right: daddy too!
If the white world wasn’t bizarre enough, there was also snow on the dunes and when the Dudes discovered that a snowball fight ensued. We also took a short hike leading to seemingly nowhere which is why we turned around and made it a short one. All the while I was practicing the word “INCOMING” just in case something fell out of the sky. Fortunately, nothing did.
left: Snowball fight in the desert?
right: A hike to “nowhere”.
above: Just in case you don’t know what to do with a missile when you find one on your hike.
above: Dumping sand out of shoes, shirts, pants etc., etc.
Visiting White Sands is a surreal experience and the thought of becoming a part of target practice makes it even more so (although they close the area during tests). I asked the Big Dude what he thought about the place and he said “it’s white and sandy”. There you go.
“It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” Robert Service