WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located in southeast New Mexico at the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert, White Sands National Monument is one of the world's great natural wonders - 300 square miles of glistening white gypsum sand dunes. Many plants and animals have adapted to life in the dunes.
This drive-through park offers many interesting sites like the boardwalk through the dunes. From the boardwalk, you can see several different plants and some animal tracks. Descriptive plaques help to understand the evolution of the dunes and the inhabitants. It is rare to see any animals in the dunes during the day, but I once saw a small lizard. There are several parking areas and you are allowed to climb the dunes. But every time I park, I forget which direction I was driving and get a little lost! I wonder what the settlers in wagon trains going west did when they happened on this area.
The Park Rangers offer a guided moonlight stroll through the dunes. I haven't taken this yet but I will this summer. You have a good chance of spotting some of the animals that live here during this walk.
The Visitor's Center has interactive displays and videos that educate and fascinate. There are two gift shops located in the Center - one run by the National Park Service that has a great collection of books, posters, and videos, and one that is more commercial and has T Shirts, jewelry, hats and other items.
The Monument is located 15 miles west of Alamogordo and about an hour and a half south of Roswell. And it is well worth the drive.
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