We were unpacking in our Tularosa AirBnb when I received a text message from a friend. “Are you in Ruidoso?” That’s the name of the town closest to where our mutual friend was getting married the next day. But it turns out our friends were heading our way, looking for the pistachio tourist attraction that I highlighted in a recent post. (I still think a pistachio tourist attraction is hilarious) We decided to meet for dinner, then go as a group to White Sands National Park to watch the sunset.
A mile or so in, the sands had drifted across the paved road, requiring it to be plowed. So, with the white, packed road surface, and piles plowed against the side of the road, my brain kept telling me it was snow. But it was 80 degrees out (27 C).
We were in a bit of a hurry to get miles into the park where there was a good place to watch the sun set. Chris and Erin had been there the night before, and they led us in, directly to where we wanted to go. They had seen an amazing sunset and wanted to show us what it was like. We passed too quickly the astonishingly white landscape. It’s not exactly sand. The park website describes it this way, “wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.”
Erin insisted that the sand is cool and feels good on your feet, and eventually talked us all into taking shoes off. She was right. It was not hot on your feet.
We spent a lot of time in awe of the group of young people in front of us. They were far away, so their ebullience didn’t bother us. They laughed and shrieked and cheered and ran around in circles and up and down the dunes. Most remarkably of all, they did acrobatics. We decided they were a college cheerleading squad.
Looking the other direction, the clouds and moon fascinated me for some time.
And we happily walked, two couples hand-in-hand, back out of the sand dunes. We hugged our goodbyes and went opposite directions for the night.
Conscious Engagement 
Astonishing. You are looking exquisite. Oh yeah, the sands too. And Pedro is hilarious! Thanks for this, it’s (almost) as good as being there.
It was a warm, quiet night of mostly sitting still and watching the sunset. It would have been so much better with you and Amore and Bestia beside us. I’m glad you visited in this way, though. ❤
What gorgeous photos and details! Thank you for taking us all with you. It has been a long time since I have been at any kind of “sandscape” beyond the Pacific Coast. Safe travels.
Thanks for joining us, Dede! I have been hearing about White Sands National Park for decades and never really thought much about what it was. I only knew it was an attraction near the White Sands Missile Range, which some of my military friends had worked at. I am so glad to have visited now! Naturally, it was made a National Park for a reason – it is just spectacular. I look forward to another visit one day, during the daytime.
cheers to sand angels, cool sand on the feet and I also think a pistachio tourist attraction is hilarious – hahah fun post
Yvette I’m glad you laughed with me. What a funny thing to see on the side of the road, but a giant pistachio monument is so classically American, in my opinion. The gypsum sand was surprising and beautiful, and I had never even heard of gypsum sand before this trip.
Crystal,your post also brought back a fun memory for me – many years ago when my boys were in middle school – we gave them stocking stuffers that included huge bags of pistachios – trying to get away from sugar snacks and they also had some holiday bagged options – we I recalled how much the boys LOVED the pistachios – we used them as stocking stuffers a few times after that but changed it up.
oh and hymsoum sand is new to me too
xxx
Wonderful photos of hiking with a difference. Those group silhouettes are particularly delightful
I agree with you Derrick, the group photos in silhouette are striking and fun. I would have liked them even without the acrobatics, but that made it more fun of course.
Yes
That last photograph really looks like it was taken in the arctic. What a gorgeous place. I love sand dunes and the endless ripples the wind paints on them. One can truly get carried away with the infinite possibilities of photo angles.
It is gorgeous there, for certain. I did lament not arriving earlier in the day, and not having more time. With more time, I would have wanted to wander out into the dunes and lose myself in the ripples and shadows.