Day 86 – It was 24 degrees this morning and the sun was shining in the distance when we got up. We watched the sunlight creep over the desert as the sun rose. It immediately felt warmer when the sun was finally shining on the RV.
Rob went out with his camera for sunrise pictures at the campground. Around 9:30 a.m. we left for a day of exploration. It was a very interesting day.
Sunrise, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMOliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMBlack-throated Sparrow, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NM
First we went into Alamogordo and picked up a couple of items we forgot yesterday. Then we headed east into the mountains to visit Cloudcroft. Cloudcroft was a charming small town at the top of the mountains we’d been seeing in the distance. Since the elevation is so high, they had plenty of snow on the ground. It took about 45 minutes to get there, and the scenery was incredible. Who knew New Mexico had so many evergreen trees! We drove up the hills from the desert and found ourselves in a quaint ski resort. From summer clothes to winter clothes in no time.
Heading toward Cloudcroft on US-82, Alamogordo, NMOne of the highest cities in the US at 8676′, Cloudcroft, NMSteep climb to Cloudcroft, NMEntering the Lincoln National Forest on the way to Cloudcroft, NMAmazing scenery along US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMAmazing scenery along US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMWhite Sands National Monument from US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMAmazing scenery along US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMAmazing scenery along US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMAmazing scenery along US-82 on the way to Cloudcroft, NMTook a little side road into the hills, but ran out of road! On the way to Cloudcroft, NMOn the way to Cloudcroft, NMOne of the highest cities in the US at 8676′, Cloudcroft, NMAlways on the lookout for Elk! Alamogordo, NMOur first significant snow on this trip, Cloudcroft, NMOur first significant snow on this trip, Cloudcroft, NMDowntown Cloudcroft, NMSierra Blanca peak 11,973′ from Cloudcroft, NM
We drove back to Alamogordo, stopped at Subway for sandwiches to go, and drove 16 miles south of our campground to White Sands National Monument. Beyond the National Park Visitor’s Center, we drove on the road to the Sands. It starts out where you can see some lighter sand in the distance. Then as the desert plants get smaller and more sparse, the sand gets whiter; the dunes get higher, and soon we were surrounded by the purest, whitest sand we ever imagined. The road was longer than we had thought it would be and there were plenty of opportunities to get out of the car, take hikes, or climb on the dunes. Plastic sleds are available at the Visitor’s Center, and we saw people sliding down the dunes. It was a family place, and the joy of the little kids experiencing this sand and the hills was fun to watch. They even had a turnout for horse trailers so people could ride their horses on the dunes. No ATVing is permitted. We stopped at the first turnout and ate our sandwiches. A great place for lunch.
White Sands National Monument and Park, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument and Park, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMSierra Blanca peak from White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMBird tracks, White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NMWhite Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, NM
We would like to thank our friend, Ernie, who recommended we visit these two places! He and his family visited and had a wonderful time years ago. Maedi & Ernie: In your honor, we acquired a jar full of snow from Cloudcroft and a jar full of sand from White Sands. We’ll give them to you in February when we get to southern California.
Collecting Cloudcroft snow for Maedi & Ernie, Cloudcroft, NMCollecting Cloudcroft snow for Maedi & Ernie, Cloudcroft, NMCollecting Gypsum sand for Maedi & Ernie from White Sands Nationall Monument, Alamogordo, NM
When we got back to the RV, we hiked a trail near the ranger station and visited a small interpretive display from long ago, and the Chihuahuan Desert Garden. The high today was 59 degrees with very little wind and full sun. We leave here tomorrow morning for the City of Rocks – another scenic adventure.
Chihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMChihuahuan Desert Garden, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMFrenchy’s Cabin Archeological Site, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMFrenchy’s Cabin Archeological Site, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMFrenchy’s Cabin Archeological Site, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMAdobe brick, Frenchy’s Cabin Archeological Site, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NMRock walls, Frenchy’s Cabin Archeological Site, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NM
After dinner Rob went out to try another star shot.
Stars, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamogordo, NM
For more detailed information about Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, click here.
