Dawn breaks in White Sands National Monument, NM.
Before even beginning, although we have commenced, should a person pass through this world without
visiting White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, then a highlight would be missed. Of course,
a mere opinion. The park is also the target of US missiles so not only does one enjoy exquisite beauty
but one also helps the military in target practice. The advantage of this is that they say if you hear
the missile then it will miss you—that’s the good news. However, if you don’t hear it then there’s nothing
to worry about as you are a goner. Takes all the stress from the experience.
Military aside, the white sands are the largest gypsum fields or desert in the world. We were so taken in with
these beautiful, white desert dunes that we visited the park a couple of times, the second occasion we hiked
six miles on soft sand and then spent the night camping. It so happened that the night was the second coldest
I have experienced. For Jenni, probably the coldest. We hardly slept as the ice formed on the tent surface,
making conditions freezing cold with condensation keeping the inside 'walls' wet. And we thought we were
in a desert. Three days before, we visited for a sunset, too followed the next day with a hike to Dog Canyon
which took us to 3,300 feet of elevation gain. Actually, it hardly 'took us'—we had to walk and climb ourselves.
From those mountains, we observed the gypsum fields which look like snow from afar. By the way, the hike
was tough including over nine miles in length with some of the trail on a treacherous cliff edge.
When we discovered this region and more specifically, visited the desert, we knew we had to camp there.
Everything went beautifully should little sleep and freezing feet and other body parts, throughout the night,
be a minor nuisance (mid-twenties F). Of course, I warned the editor the result would be that which occurred.
Naturally, she doesn’t listen. Another thing. She also forgot to bring a mallet to hammer in the stakes of our tent.
There’s a definite pattern forming you might notice. Should all go well then it was my idea otherwise, you know
who blew it. Works well for me!
One of the tough aspects at night in a tent is the bathroom ritual. We drink much during the day and apparently,
the fluid has to leave the body sometime. In order to combat the frequent excursions out of the tent into the
bitter cold, we try to fill bags and then toss the contents outside, holding onto the bag. It may not sound
quite the upper-class thing to do but it works well unless there are gusting winds. It always reminds us of
an occasion in Iceland last year. We were sleeping on a slope and Jen was lower than me. I began the task
of seeking relief and was happily enjoying myself when Jenni jumped out of her sleeping bag in fright. Unfortunately,
the supermarket bag in use had a large hole that we missed before settling down for the night. These days, we are
using a better class of bag. Jen no longer sleeps down river from me. Once wet, twice shy.
We mentioned a while ago how much we enjoy the deserts, desserts, too. Some of the most beautiful but harsh
places we have visited are these arid lands. Initially, we were surprised at our reaction but nowadays, seek
such opportunities. White Sands is particularly special.
By the way, there are eleven unpublished blogs at this stage—much hiking, little writing. The blog before this
one, contains many highlights, too. It might be worth a peek.
Jen stands on a sand dune at sunset after hopping up. (See blog before this one showing something
equally interesting.)
Chief Sitting Bull with camera therefore, squaw Sitting Co... guards the teepee?
Dog Canyon hike, 3,300 feet elevation gain over nine miles return. The gypsum desert surface on view.
Picture taken part way up.
Editor circumscribes the dunes.
Stopping on the Alkali Flats hike, some five miles in dune country.
A little after 6am, the sun provides some much-needed warmth and color.
A typical view down into Dog Canyon. In this area, the Apaches used to either ambush US soldiers
and Texas Rangers with gunfire or roll boulders from the top. We only had to overcome natural hurdles.
Shadow slopes.
A personal favorite.
The editor watches the sun set not knowing what's in store later that evening.
The sun has mostly disappeared below the horizon. The editor has a tent, her boy and a hot water bottle.
Guess which two are more highly rated.
To the music (in his mind) of 'Chariots of Fire', favorite movie, he goes down dune thinking of
Eric Liddle a true, old-fashioned hero, his anyway.
Dusk.
Dawn.
'Sun pockets'. If allowed another favorite then I might choose this.
A really tough hike in Dog Canyon. Returning down a slippery trail.
Sunrise
For our brother Mark, shadows.
Ocotillo Country above the canyon.
Dude negotiating a dune again, a favorite pastime.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
No comments:
Post a Comment